There was a freshness in the air at the Larry O. Finch Center on Monday which has been missing the last few years.
The University of Memphis basketball team held its annual media day – a day of hope and new beginnings. But Monday seemed different. The players and coaches spoke with freedom and confidence.
There was senior guard Kedren Johnson, who just transferred to the U of M from Vanderbilt, talking about his passion for music.
There was head coach Josh Pastner discussing how refreshing it was to see Johnson pursuing a passion outside of basketball.
Then, there was nearly everyone, including Pastner, reflecting on how much more closely knit this year’s team is compared to last year’s. The Blue and Gray look to have formed a unique bond between their preseason exhibition tour in Canada and a week spent training with the Army ROTC program.
It will be a year of change for the Tigers, but the players and their coach welcome the change. The first question for Pastner in his first press conference of the season was about the differences between his team for last season and this Tiger squad.
“I do believe this team is going to do their job and what’s being asked of them,” the sixth-year coach said.
It was an interesting comment, considering one of the biggest criticisms of last year’s team was its inability to execute, and Pastner added that the Tigers may not get better results despite his expectation of better execution this winter.
The Tigers move forward this season without guards Joe Jackson, Chris Crawford, Geron Johnson, Michael Dixon Jr. and forward David Pellom.
Those four senior guards were the unquestioned leaders from a year ago, but the Tigers will have a much different look this season with only one senior – transfer forward Calvin Godfrey.
Instead, the leadership will come from the two big men – junior Shaq Goodwin and sophomore Austin Nichols. Many argued the frontcourt tandem was the Tigers’ best option a season ago, but the presence of four senior guards made it tough for the forwards to flourish.
Goodwin said the Tigers would often pound the ball into him and Nichols early in games, but they would get away from the inside-out approach as the game wore on.
“It was frustrating like it would be for anybody,” Goodwin said. “But I’m not really focused on last year’s team I’m looking forward. Everybody is looking to me because I’ve been here the longest, and I’m just doing the best I can leading on and off the court.”
Several of the holdovers from last year complemented the many newcomers to the Tigers, and each of them made a point to say it was nothing against the guys on the 2013-14 team.
“I think our chemistry this year is better than last year’s,” Nichols said. “I say that in all positives, nothing against the seniors last year. It’s just we’re jelling together better this year.”
Half of this year’s Tigers were not on the team from last season. The newcomers include: junior guard Trahson Burrell, freshman guard Dominic Magee, junior forward Chris Hawkins, freshman guard Jordan Manse, junior guard Kedren Johnson, sophomore guard Avery Woodson and Godfrey.
Pastner credited the summer workouts and Army ROTC camp with strengthening the relationships on the team.
Fans can have their first look at the new legion of Tigers on Saturday at FedExForum. The U of M will host its annual Memphis Madness. The men’s and women’s team will unveil their new rosters, and Rick Ross will perform a half-hour long concert for spectators. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets are on sale now.
