Go, Tigers, Go!! Yes, Really!!
Yes, another hard loss. A four-game losing streak. Some murmurs of trouble in the locker room. Yet, guess what, this Tigers team is still better than last year’s NIT Champs at this point. These Tigers players are working hard to find their rhythm. Penny and the coaching staff are still trying to find the perfect blend of good veterans and top recruits. And in this latest loss, it was easy to see that the team is a bit better. The team is very close to finding its identity. So hang onto your hats, the ride is about to get a lot wilder.
The loss to Murray St. was one of those crazy losses. It was a loss that except for the exceptional, the Tigers should have prevailed. It was a game that even as the Tigers are not yet the team that we and they thought they would be, they showed some glimpses of improving. But the exceptional did happen. But so did a miracle almost happen as well. First, Murray St made 14 threes out of 29 attempts. Since the Tigers made 8, they had to make up the 18 point difference that was created. Second, the Tigers almost made up that difference – by converting 8 more free throws than Murrays St. and shooting almost 55% inside the arc. Then with grit and hustle, the Tigers gave themselves a chance to win at the end. No, they couldn’t pull off that final miracle, but the loss was still a move in the right direction. I say this because the Tigers showed some of what they will need to do to get back on a winning track. For despite Murray St’s phenomenal, best of their season showing beyond the arc, the scrappy Tigers almost pulled it off. In fact, if Murray St shot their season average from beyond the arc, the Tigers win the game by 7 points. If the Tigers made just one more three of their own, an end to the losing streak.
Yeah, I know everyone hears the almost analogies too often. So I will give you some facts instead. The Tigers continue to improve across the board against last year’s NIT championship team – nothing to sneeze at. In fact, in this week’s statistical analysis, the Tigers continue to improve against last year’s team against thirty-five category evaluations. Even with the Murray St loss, a simple predictive model shows Memphis going into the AAC Tournament with a 22-8 record. With that record, the Tigers would probably still not have to win the ACC Tournament to get an NCAA bid.
So it is that I can’t wait to dive into my cheap seat Tuesday night to watch over the FedEx Forum like a hawk and to cheer the Tigers as they host Alabama. I can’t wait to see the Tigers take another step toward the great team it will become. I can’t wait to see the Tigers make believers out of everyone once again.
So TigerNation, what are you going to do? There really is only one thing to do. Support this team – no matter what. Embrace our Tigers. Trust Penny and the coaching staff. Fill the seats, stand, shout and cheer. It is time to be part of the statement that is about to come out of Memphis. It’s time to roar!!
[Hopefully, Tiger stats after the Alabama game]
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