2005 has been another solid year for Tiger athletics, but over the holiday break the basketball and football teams will be competing in some outstanding events to close out the year.
The men's basketball team competes against national powerhouses Gonzaga and Texas after Christmas at the FedExForum. The football team will be competing in its third consecutive bowl, and the women's basketball team will take on rival Ole Miss and face nationally ranked Georgia at home.
Here is a guide to some of the key matchups during the break:
Friday, Dec. 16
Lady Tigers vs. Ole Miss
The team brings an all-time record of 13-30 against the Lady Rebels, having dropped last year's game in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss currently has a 6-1 record.
Monday, Dec. 26
Motor City Bowl
Memphis Tigers vs. Akron Zips
The Tigers play in their third consecutive bowl in Detroit. They will face an Akron team that won the MAC but suffered losses against Army and Ball State. Memphis, meanwhile, enters the game on a two-game winning streak and will feature Heisman-candidate DeAngelo Williams and a thriving defense.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Tigers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs
The seventh-ranked Tigers take on Gonzaga, a team that has gone from an upset favorite in the NCAA Tournament to a national powerhouse. This game will be the second of six consecutive home games for The U of M, and the game will feature star forward Adam Morrison against Darius Washington, Rodney Carney, Shawne Williams and the rest of the outstanding freshman class at Memphis.
Morrison, a 6-8 junior guard, averages 29.7 points per game, while 6-9 senior forward J.P. Batista averages 20 points and 9 rebounds.
The game will be featured on ESPN2.
Thursday, Dec. 29
Lady Tigers vs. Georgia
The 17th-ranked Lady Bulldogs come into the FedExForum for just the second meeting ever between the two schools.
The Lady Bulldogs return four starters from last year's 24-10 team that reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2005.
Monday, Jan. 2
Tigers vs. Texas
The Rose Bowl won't be the only big game the University of Texas Longhorns play in during the holiday break. Texas is currently ranked second in the nation, but that might change this Saturday when Texas plays the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils.
The Longhorns are led by 6-2 sophomore point guard Daniel Gibson, a potential lottery pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Gibson facing U of M star Washington could be the storyline on ESPN.
Junior forward P.J. Tucker and 6-10 sophomore forward LaMarcus Aldridge add scoring and rebounding ability to the Longhorns.
