The Pom Pon girls, the hecklers in the front row, the hamburgers in the media lounge and kiss-me cam - those are the things I enjoy most about University of Memphis basketball games these days. For the record, that list is in a particular order.
The game itself is a cure for insomnia. I can just imagine Dick Vitale commentating on the Tigers' upcoming showdown with Tulsa: "OH, IT'S COMA CITY OUT THERE BABY!"
Look at the remaining home schedule when you get a chance. You'll see names like Tulsa, Southern Miss, SMU, Tulane, Rice and Houston. Of those teams, Tulsa has the highest RPI at 102. It's conceivable, in my opinion, that the Tigers could beat the Green Wave with four on five or with Joey Dorsey's hands tied behind his back.
I love live sporting events. The press pass I use as a representative of The Daily Helmsman allows me to sit courtside at home games. It's a sweet deal. Lately, however, even I've had a tough time forcing myself off the couch to make the drive from my apartment to the FedExForum. The only reason I made the trip for the UAB game on Wednesday night was because I was out of food. The media lounge offers a free meal before every game. I saw an opportunity to fill my stomach, and I took it. I am just a go-getter like that.
The fans aren't the only ones struggling to get hyped for Tiger games.
"We don't get excited to play UAB," said freshman Pierre Niles.
I respect Niles' honesty. If I were in his situation, I'd pull a Randy Moss and take some plays off. The Tigers are so much better than everyone else in Conference USA, it isn't funny. That's not to say Memphis can't lose a league game. The United States did beat the Soviet Union in hockey once upon a time.
The Tigers need to find a way out of C-USA. They have a chance to run the table in league play every year if they stay. In the end, though, the sub-par competition will hurt Memphis. Teams in the big conferences will be battle tested come NCAA Tournament time.
In college football this past year, Ohio State had a great regular season run but got eaten alive by the Florida Gators in the National Championship game. What's the lesson? The Buckeyes, through no fault of their own, paid the price for playing a weak Big 10 schedule. Florida played tough games nearly every week and was better for it.
I equate Memphis basketball this season to Ohio State in football. I have no doubt the Tigers are a good young team loaded with talent, but it's tough for anyone to improve against inferior competition. I expect Memphis to head into the Tournament with no more than six losses. I don't expect them to make it out of the opening weekend of March Madness.
To R.C. Johnson or Whom it May Concern: Please get Memphis out of Conference USA.
