Hey guys just looking for news/analysis/insight on this one tonight, I'll be posting throughout the day I live in RI will let you know if the papers have anything informative. Granted it was vs. Maine the other night, but the Friars finally put together a good game. They are also now rested, after that ridiculous stretch earlier this season which had them, at one point, playing at MSG in a tourney, then at Fla the next day. So, may want to keep some of those games in perspective, also lost to a very good Wichita St team which is no big surprise to hoops junkies. Bottom line this may be a team that has turned a corner, I know Memphis has had some personnel problems lately and their style of play is not exactly John Wooden material, maybe the Friars sneak into Memphis and grab it tonight?? Any opinions welcome, like I said back w/ some news after the a.m. papers here.
PC seeing double in Memphis
03:21 AM EST on Thursday, December 23, 2004
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
Two of the nation's more disappointing teams will meet tonight at Memphis' FedExForum in search of a little redemption.
Just a month ago, hopes surrounding the basketball programs at Providence College and the University of Memphis were quite high. But slow starts have plagued both teams. However, the Friars (6-4) are coming off an impressive, 104-74, win over Maine on Tuesday night that they hope signals an end to some shaky early season play that cost them losses at home to Winthrop and Wichita State.
The Tigers have fought through even deeper troubles. Coach John Calipari's team is filled with highly rated recruits, many of whom are capable of big scoring nights. Some also hoped strong showings this season would catapult them into the NBA. That is often a turbulent mix, and the Tigers have struggled so far this season, losing two of their last three home games and falling to 6-5.
"They really have gone through some of the things that we have," said PC coach Tim Welsh. "They're trying to put it together. They have put it together (at times) this year, and John is a heckuva coach. I'm sure he's going to keep pounding them until he gets it through to them. They're very, very dangerous. They've had their struggles, but so have we."
Despite the struggles, the Friars and Tigers are not about to write off the season. With plenty of games against quality opponents remaining, the teams have a chance to reverse course and become a factor in the chase for spots in the NCAA Tournament.
Calipari took a decisive step to change his team's chemistry problems when he "indefinitely" suspended star sophomore Sean Banks on Dec. 14 for what the coaching staff described as unacceptable conduct. After being barred from practice last week and not playing in his team's 71-66 win over Austin Peay last Saturday, the 6-foot-8 Banks paid a visit to Calipari's home.
"I was up watching tape after the game and Sean came to my house," Calipari told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He told me he wanted to be a part of this team. He was pleading to be a part of this team and now he knows he has to just step in and be a part of it."
Banks, who is averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds and was last year's Conference USA Rookie of the Year, had clashed with some teammates, especially freshman Darius Washington. A point guard from Orlando, Fla., Washington was touted as one of the premier high-schoolers in the country last year. He's scoring well (12.3), but has had trouble running the offense.
Tonight's game is nationally televised (ESPN2) in large part because of an expected matchup between Banks and PC's Ryan Gomes. The Friars have played three games away from home this season -- all on neutral courts. This will be the team's first true road game.
Banks returned to action Monday night against Louisiana Tech, but the Tigers collapsed in the second half and lost, 64-55.
MEN: PROVIDENCE AT MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS Ht. PPG RPG
>Darius Washington 6-2 12.3 3.1
>Anthony Rice 6-4 8.6 2.5
>Joey Dorsey 6-9 5.9 8.6
>Rodney Carney 6-7 16.7 6.6
>Duane Erwin 6-9 5.6 4.9
>Key Reserves:
>Sean Banks 6-8 15.9 6.0
>Tank Beavers 6-1 0.1 0.7
>Simplice Njoya 6-10 0.9 0.6
PROVIDENCE Ht. PPG RPG
>Donnie McGrath 6-4 7.0 2.2
>Dwight Brewington 6-5 15.5 4.7
>Herbert Hill 6-9 3.7 2.0
>Tuukka Kotti 6-8 11.0 6.1
>Ryan Gomes 6-7 19.4 9.1
>Key Reserves:
>Gerald Brown 6-4 8.6 2.4
>Randall Hanke 6-10 5.3 2.3
>DeSean White 6-7 3.6 2.4
THE SCOUTING REPORT
PROVIDENCE (6-4): The Friars hit the road to face Memphis for the first time since one of the most famous games in PC history at the 1973 Final Four. An injury to Marvin Barnes short-circuited PC's attack in the national semifinals and Memphis won, 98-85. Ernie DiGregorio scored 32 points in defeat. . . Tonight will be the Friars fourth game this year away from home but first true road game. . . Hill has looked good inside for the last two games and replaced Hanke in the starting lineup. . . Gomes is second in the Big East in rebounding. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Maine and now has 37 career double-doubles. Gomes is 338 points shy of 2,000 for his career. . . McGrath has made 71 consecutive starts.
> MEMPHIS (6-5): The Tigers are struggling to come together, mixing young and old players. Got off to a disappointing 5-4 start, winning first three and then losing four of their next six games. Have lost two of last three home games, to Mississippi and Louisiana Tech. . . Banks was suspended from the team after nine games and didn't play in a win over Austin Peay. Returned in a 64-55 loss to Louisiana Tech. . . Team having major offensive problems, averaging 65 points per game and shooting 39 percent from the field. . . Backup point guard Jeremy Hunt is out after wrist surgery. He was averaging 5.3 points and had 22 assists.
03:21 AM EST on Thursday, December 23, 2004
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
Two of the nation's more disappointing teams will meet tonight at Memphis' FedExForum in search of a little redemption.
Just a month ago, hopes surrounding the basketball programs at Providence College and the University of Memphis were quite high. But slow starts have plagued both teams. However, the Friars (6-4) are coming off an impressive, 104-74, win over Maine on Tuesday night that they hope signals an end to some shaky early season play that cost them losses at home to Winthrop and Wichita State.
The Tigers have fought through even deeper troubles. Coach John Calipari's team is filled with highly rated recruits, many of whom are capable of big scoring nights. Some also hoped strong showings this season would catapult them into the NBA. That is often a turbulent mix, and the Tigers have struggled so far this season, losing two of their last three home games and falling to 6-5.
"They really have gone through some of the things that we have," said PC coach Tim Welsh. "They're trying to put it together. They have put it together (at times) this year, and John is a heckuva coach. I'm sure he's going to keep pounding them until he gets it through to them. They're very, very dangerous. They've had their struggles, but so have we."
Despite the struggles, the Friars and Tigers are not about to write off the season. With plenty of games against quality opponents remaining, the teams have a chance to reverse course and become a factor in the chase for spots in the NCAA Tournament.
Calipari took a decisive step to change his team's chemistry problems when he "indefinitely" suspended star sophomore Sean Banks on Dec. 14 for what the coaching staff described as unacceptable conduct. After being barred from practice last week and not playing in his team's 71-66 win over Austin Peay last Saturday, the 6-foot-8 Banks paid a visit to Calipari's home.
"I was up watching tape after the game and Sean came to my house," Calipari told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He told me he wanted to be a part of this team. He was pleading to be a part of this team and now he knows he has to just step in and be a part of it."
Banks, who is averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds and was last year's Conference USA Rookie of the Year, had clashed with some teammates, especially freshman Darius Washington. A point guard from Orlando, Fla., Washington was touted as one of the premier high-schoolers in the country last year. He's scoring well (12.3), but has had trouble running the offense.
Tonight's game is nationally televised (ESPN2) in large part because of an expected matchup between Banks and PC's Ryan Gomes. The Friars have played three games away from home this season -- all on neutral courts. This will be the team's first true road game.
Banks returned to action Monday night against Louisiana Tech, but the Tigers collapsed in the second half and lost, 64-55.
MEN: PROVIDENCE AT MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS Ht. PPG RPG
>Darius Washington 6-2 12.3 3.1
>Anthony Rice 6-4 8.6 2.5
>Joey Dorsey 6-9 5.9 8.6
>Rodney Carney 6-7 16.7 6.6
>Duane Erwin 6-9 5.6 4.9
>Key Reserves:
>Sean Banks 6-8 15.9 6.0
>Tank Beavers 6-1 0.1 0.7
>Simplice Njoya 6-10 0.9 0.6
PROVIDENCE Ht. PPG RPG
>Donnie McGrath 6-4 7.0 2.2
>Dwight Brewington 6-5 15.5 4.7
>Herbert Hill 6-9 3.7 2.0
>Tuukka Kotti 6-8 11.0 6.1
>Ryan Gomes 6-7 19.4 9.1
>Key Reserves:
>Gerald Brown 6-4 8.6 2.4
>Randall Hanke 6-10 5.3 2.3
>DeSean White 6-7 3.6 2.4
THE SCOUTING REPORT
PROVIDENCE (6-4): The Friars hit the road to face Memphis for the first time since one of the most famous games in PC history at the 1973 Final Four. An injury to Marvin Barnes short-circuited PC's attack in the national semifinals and Memphis won, 98-85. Ernie DiGregorio scored 32 points in defeat. . . Tonight will be the Friars fourth game this year away from home but first true road game. . . Hill has looked good inside for the last two games and replaced Hanke in the starting lineup. . . Gomes is second in the Big East in rebounding. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Maine and now has 37 career double-doubles. Gomes is 338 points shy of 2,000 for his career. . . McGrath has made 71 consecutive starts.
> MEMPHIS (6-5): The Tigers are struggling to come together, mixing young and old players. Got off to a disappointing 5-4 start, winning first three and then losing four of their next six games. Have lost two of last three home games, to Mississippi and Louisiana Tech. . . Banks was suspended from the team after nine games and didn't play in a win over Austin Peay. Returned in a 64-55 loss to Louisiana Tech. . . Team having major offensive problems, averaging 65 points per game and shooting 39 percent from the field. . . Backup point guard Jeremy Hunt is out after wrist surgery. He was averaging 5.3 points and had 22 assists.
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Tigers need win tonight
At-large bid to Big Dance at stake
By Gary Parrish
Contact
December 23, 2004
There is no such thing as a must-win game in December.
John Calipari has explained this theory many times. He believes in it as strongly as a child does Santa.
Advertisement
But perhaps, just for tonight, the University of Memphis coach should reconsider. Because here's the hard reality surrounding the Tigers' 8 p.m. game against Providence at FedExForum:
Memphis enters with a 6-5 record. So a loss would obviously give the Tigers their sixth nonconference loss.
Now guess how many schools earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season with six nonconference losses?
One.
Michigan State.
That's it.
Thus if Memphis wants to make the Big Dance for the third straight season, the margin of error is slim. So to borrow and adjust a line from "The Shawshank Redemption," the Tigers had better get busy winning or get busy printing another NIT banner.
"We've just got to ride this thing out," Calipari said. "We've got to get this thing going."
And the sooner, the better, especially considering the Tigers will be heavy underdogs when they close their nonconference schedule at 15th-ranked Texas on Jan. 6. That means another home loss to either Providence (5-4) tonight or East Tennessee State (4-6) on Dec. 30 would be devastating to the UofM's postseason hopes.
Why?
Because though Michigan State did earn a seven-seed in the NCAA Tournament last March with six nonleague defeats, it took a 12-4 mark in the Big Ten to make that possible. It's also worth noting that the Spartans' six nonleague losses all came away from home and to the likes of Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, Syracuse, Oklahoma and UCLA.
Notice the lack of a Louisiana Tech or Ole Miss, two bottom-tier programs within their respective leagues that already beat Memphis inside FedExForum this month.
"We've just got to get five guys who want to play," said UofM senior Duane Erwin, who has averaged 8.5 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in his past two outings. "We've just got to get everybody going at one time. We've got to get guys striving on defense, and we've got to grind it out on offense because we're going to be a grind-it-out team."
At this point, it certainly appears that way.
Though some love to talk about defense and Memphis's problems there, the real issue of late has been on the offensive end. The Tigers have scored less than 30 points in the first half of the past six games and are averaging just 57.5 points in their past four contests while shooting only 34.9 percent.
Last season, Memphis averaged 72.4 points per game and shot 42.0 percent from the field. The one noticeable difference from then to now is the lack of Antonio Burks, the Tigers' old point guard and Conference USA Player of the Year.
"I told all you guys we were going to miss him," Calipari said. "You watched him. You know how good he was."
But now Burks is gone, off to the NBA's Grizzlies. So the Tigers must make the offense work without him, and any grace period to learn how is quickly expiring.
"We've just got to figure out how to play better offensively," Calipari acknowledged. "We've got to figure out how to be more specific in what we do. We're still not making shots we need to make. We've got to figure out how to get guys to make shots they should make, avoid simple turnovers, execute better and set screens where they're supposed to be set.
"We've just got to figure it out."
-- Gary Parrish: 529-2365
Copyright 2004, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
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Tigers need win tonight
At-large bid to Big Dance at stake
By Gary Parrish
Contact
December 23, 2004
There is no such thing as a must-win game in December.
John Calipari has explained this theory many times. He believes in it as strongly as a child does Santa.
Advertisement
But perhaps, just for tonight, the University of Memphis coach should reconsider. Because here's the hard reality surrounding the Tigers' 8 p.m. game against Providence at FedExForum:
Memphis enters with a 6-5 record. So a loss would obviously give the Tigers their sixth nonconference loss.
Now guess how many schools earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season with six nonconference losses?
One.
Michigan State.
That's it.
Thus if Memphis wants to make the Big Dance for the third straight season, the margin of error is slim. So to borrow and adjust a line from "The Shawshank Redemption," the Tigers had better get busy winning or get busy printing another NIT banner.
"We've just got to ride this thing out," Calipari said. "We've got to get this thing going."
And the sooner, the better, especially considering the Tigers will be heavy underdogs when they close their nonconference schedule at 15th-ranked Texas on Jan. 6. That means another home loss to either Providence (5-4) tonight or East Tennessee State (4-6) on Dec. 30 would be devastating to the UofM's postseason hopes.
Why?
Because though Michigan State did earn a seven-seed in the NCAA Tournament last March with six nonleague defeats, it took a 12-4 mark in the Big Ten to make that possible. It's also worth noting that the Spartans' six nonleague losses all came away from home and to the likes of Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, Syracuse, Oklahoma and UCLA.
Notice the lack of a Louisiana Tech or Ole Miss, two bottom-tier programs within their respective leagues that already beat Memphis inside FedExForum this month.
"We've just got to get five guys who want to play," said UofM senior Duane Erwin, who has averaged 8.5 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in his past two outings. "We've just got to get everybody going at one time. We've got to get guys striving on defense, and we've got to grind it out on offense because we're going to be a grind-it-out team."
At this point, it certainly appears that way.
Though some love to talk about defense and Memphis's problems there, the real issue of late has been on the offensive end. The Tigers have scored less than 30 points in the first half of the past six games and are averaging just 57.5 points in their past four contests while shooting only 34.9 percent.
Last season, Memphis averaged 72.4 points per game and shot 42.0 percent from the field. The one noticeable difference from then to now is the lack of Antonio Burks, the Tigers' old point guard and Conference USA Player of the Year.
"I told all you guys we were going to miss him," Calipari said. "You watched him. You know how good he was."
But now Burks is gone, off to the NBA's Grizzlies. So the Tigers must make the offense work without him, and any grace period to learn how is quickly expiring.
"We've just got to figure out how to play better offensively," Calipari acknowledged. "We've got to figure out how to be more specific in what we do. We're still not making shots we need to make. We've got to figure out how to get guys to make shots they should make, avoid simple turnovers, execute better and set screens where they're supposed to be set.
"We've just got to figure it out."
-- Gary Parrish: 529-2365
Copyright 2004, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
Men's Basketball Notebook: Team scores an 'A' on this court exam
01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, December 22, 2004
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
PROVIDENCE -- One stretch of the basketball season that often worries coaches is the time taken off for semester exams.
It's a time when practices get shortened, nerves are frayed and a team generally falls out of its routine. But it's also an opportunity to re-energize a group in an almost training camp-like format. That's exactly what Tim Welsh tried to put his team through over the last 10 days, and the first reviews are favorable.
Welsh's Providence Friars are pledging a commitment to playing harder, faster and with more aggression. That combination wore out Maine last night, 104-74.
"I knew it was going to be there because it's been consistent since last Monday," said Welsh. "I thought the exam period really, really helped us as far as getting down and dirty in practice and figure out what ails us. Our effort has been there every day in practice."
The players say that Welsh has been tough on them, for good reason. The team's 5-4 start was a major disappointment, and everyone felt the group was underachieving, from the veterans to the five freshmen. One newcomer, guard Rob McKiver , said the exam break helped bring the team together.
"Guys have committed to whatever we have to do to win," he said. "We're coming together off the court, too, and that's helping. We're friends. We're turning into more of a team."
Welsh says he intends on using freshmen such as McKiver more often. Last night, Herbert Hill (9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks) replaced frosh center Randall Hanke (8 points, 2 blocks) in the starting lineup, but both centers played a healthy amount. McKiver ran the team at times in place of Donnie McGrath , and also when McGrath shifted to the shooting guard spot.
McGrath shakes slump
From the moment McGrath hit his first 3-point shot late in the first half, a huge exhale breezed through the crowd of 7,849. After missing 17 of his last 18 shots over three games, the junior guard banged home five field goals, including a season-high four 3-pointers.
"It was great to see," said Ryan Gomes . "Donnie's a good shooter. He was in a slump. We need him to knock those shots down, and he will. It's a confidence-builder for him."
Welsh insisted his confidence in McGrath hasn't wavered. "He's a good player and is very confident in himself, but it's tough when you just keep missing," said the coach. "It was nice to see the crowd get behind him tonight. It was great. He's been taking it too personally as far as the team losing and blaming himself. I've told him, 'It's not your fault.' I told him, 'You're my guy. If you're open, I want you to shoot the ball."
Two good transfers
Maine lost coach John Giannini to La Salle in the offseason and promoted longtime assistant Ted Woodward to the head job. Giannini enjoyed a strong stretch over the last six seasons, when he won 18 or more games four times and benefited from a series of good transfers. This year's team is hoping for similar help. Chris Markwood , a native of South Portland, Maine, began his college career at Notre Dame before transferring home. He had 14 points in Maine's 47-44 win at Rhode Island last month.
Ernest Turner sat out last year after transferring from UNLV. Turner led Maine to a recent win over Harvard with a season-high 22 points.
Neither Markwood nor Turner has had a chance to get used to the Black Bears' home gym, Alfond Arena. Maine will play 11 of its first 14 games on the road.
Looking ahead . . .
The Friars don't play another home game until Jan. 3, when Brown makes the trip downtown. PC will travel to Memphis today and play the Tigers (6-5) tomorrow night. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Memphis is coming off a 64-55 home loss to Louisiana Tech on Monday. Former Friar Donell Allick scored 14 points for La. Tech.
01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, December 22, 2004
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
PROVIDENCE -- One stretch of the basketball season that often worries coaches is the time taken off for semester exams.
It's a time when practices get shortened, nerves are frayed and a team generally falls out of its routine. But it's also an opportunity to re-energize a group in an almost training camp-like format. That's exactly what Tim Welsh tried to put his team through over the last 10 days, and the first reviews are favorable.
Welsh's Providence Friars are pledging a commitment to playing harder, faster and with more aggression. That combination wore out Maine last night, 104-74.
"I knew it was going to be there because it's been consistent since last Monday," said Welsh. "I thought the exam period really, really helped us as far as getting down and dirty in practice and figure out what ails us. Our effort has been there every day in practice."
The players say that Welsh has been tough on them, for good reason. The team's 5-4 start was a major disappointment, and everyone felt the group was underachieving, from the veterans to the five freshmen. One newcomer, guard Rob McKiver , said the exam break helped bring the team together.
"Guys have committed to whatever we have to do to win," he said. "We're coming together off the court, too, and that's helping. We're friends. We're turning into more of a team."
Welsh says he intends on using freshmen such as McKiver more often. Last night, Herbert Hill (9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks) replaced frosh center Randall Hanke (8 points, 2 blocks) in the starting lineup, but both centers played a healthy amount. McKiver ran the team at times in place of Donnie McGrath , and also when McGrath shifted to the shooting guard spot.
McGrath shakes slump
From the moment McGrath hit his first 3-point shot late in the first half, a huge exhale breezed through the crowd of 7,849. After missing 17 of his last 18 shots over three games, the junior guard banged home five field goals, including a season-high four 3-pointers.
"It was great to see," said Ryan Gomes . "Donnie's a good shooter. He was in a slump. We need him to knock those shots down, and he will. It's a confidence-builder for him."
Welsh insisted his confidence in McGrath hasn't wavered. "He's a good player and is very confident in himself, but it's tough when you just keep missing," said the coach. "It was nice to see the crowd get behind him tonight. It was great. He's been taking it too personally as far as the team losing and blaming himself. I've told him, 'It's not your fault.' I told him, 'You're my guy. If you're open, I want you to shoot the ball."
Two good transfers
Maine lost coach John Giannini to La Salle in the offseason and promoted longtime assistant Ted Woodward to the head job. Giannini enjoyed a strong stretch over the last six seasons, when he won 18 or more games four times and benefited from a series of good transfers. This year's team is hoping for similar help. Chris Markwood , a native of South Portland, Maine, began his college career at Notre Dame before transferring home. He had 14 points in Maine's 47-44 win at Rhode Island last month.
Ernest Turner sat out last year after transferring from UNLV. Turner led Maine to a recent win over Harvard with a season-high 22 points.
Neither Markwood nor Turner has had a chance to get used to the Black Bears' home gym, Alfond Arena. Maine will play 11 of its first 14 games on the road.
Looking ahead . . .
The Friars don't play another home game until Jan. 3, when Brown makes the trip downtown. PC will travel to Memphis today and play the Tigers (6-5) tomorrow night. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Memphis is coming off a 64-55 home loss to Louisiana Tech on Monday. Former Friar Donell Allick scored 14 points for La. Tech.
Found this on the Sports Network
<CENTER>Providence (6-4) at Memphis (6-5) </CENTER>
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Thursday, December 23rd, 9:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: FedExForum (18,400) -- Memphis, Tennessee. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Providence 5-2, Memphis 4-2. Away Record: Providence 0-0, Memphis 1-0. Neutral Record: Providence 1-2, Memphis 1-3. Conference Record: Providence 0-0, Memphis 0-0. Series Record: Providence leads, 2-1.
GAME NOTES: Playing on national television for the fourth time already this season, the Providence Friars try to build on their lopsided victory against Maine on Tuesday night as they challenge the Memphis Tigers in non-conference action from the brand new FedExForum. Two nights ago the Friars ripped apart the Black Bears in Rhode Island by a score of 104-74, the scoring output for Providence being the most aggressive yet this year. The victory was the second in the last three games for the Friars who are next set to square off with San Diego State on New Year's Eve in Southern California. As for the Tigers, they registered their third loss in the last four games on Monday when they failed to control the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at home, 64-55. This is just the fourth game ever between these two schools, with Providence holding a 2-1 edge over the Tigers. However, it was Memphis that posted a win in the most recent contest, a 98-85 decision back in 1973 as part of that year's Final Four.
A total of 14 players hit the floor for Providence against the Black Bears on Tuesday night as the Friars cooked Maine by 30-points at home. Ryan Gomes registered a double-double for the locals with team-highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds, not to mention adding a team-high six assists and posting three steals in the win. Donnie McGrath and Dwight Brewington both hit 4-of-6 shots behind the three-point line, finishing with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the team converted 10-of-23 beyond the arc overall to help overcome 16 turnovers. Gomes, certainly one of the top players if not the best in the Big East Conference, leads Providence in both scoring and rebounding at the moment with averages of 19.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per outing. Gomes is also second in both assists (36) and steals (20) as he shoots nearly 50 percent from the field and is 40 percent accurate beyond the arc. Brewington (15.5 ppg) may have barely half the number of rebounds as Gomes, but he's a fierce competitor in the paint at the defensive end of the floor with his 14 blocked shots.
The Tigers got just 15 points from their bench in the loss to Louisiana Tech on Monday night, all of those being scored by Sean Banks on 3-of-10 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Duane Erwin registered a double-double for Memphis with 11 points and 10 rebounds, adding a team-high five blocked shots, while Rodney Carney and Darius Washington each accounted for 10 points in the losing effort as well. Although Memphis limited LaTech to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field, the team had no answer for Paul Millsap (last year's rebounding leader) as he posted 19 points, 15 boards and five blocks. The Tigers turned the ball over 15 times and shot just 7-of-31 from the floor in the second half, 2-of-11 beyond the arc. Carney currently leads the team in scoring with his 16.7 ppg, although he is costing his squad priceless scoring opportunities by hitting a mere 17-of-61 beyond the arc and just 38 percent from the field overall. Joey Dorsey has been a force in the middle for the Tigers, clearing 8.6 rpg, but is scoring just 5.9 ppg mainly because smart defenses will send him to the line where he is just 11-of-31 (.355).
With Banks back in the mix for the Tigers things should again be looking up, but that still doesn't mean that Memphis has the players to beat a school like Providence. Gomes will have his way in the paint for the Friars and cause all sorts of matchup issues at the FedExForum in the process. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Providence 83, Memphis 71
<CENTER>Providence (6-4) at Memphis (6-5) </CENTER>
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Thursday, December 23rd, 9:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: FedExForum (18,400) -- Memphis, Tennessee. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Providence 5-2, Memphis 4-2. Away Record: Providence 0-0, Memphis 1-0. Neutral Record: Providence 1-2, Memphis 1-3. Conference Record: Providence 0-0, Memphis 0-0. Series Record: Providence leads, 2-1.
GAME NOTES: Playing on national television for the fourth time already this season, the Providence Friars try to build on their lopsided victory against Maine on Tuesday night as they challenge the Memphis Tigers in non-conference action from the brand new FedExForum. Two nights ago the Friars ripped apart the Black Bears in Rhode Island by a score of 104-74, the scoring output for Providence being the most aggressive yet this year. The victory was the second in the last three games for the Friars who are next set to square off with San Diego State on New Year's Eve in Southern California. As for the Tigers, they registered their third loss in the last four games on Monday when they failed to control the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at home, 64-55. This is just the fourth game ever between these two schools, with Providence holding a 2-1 edge over the Tigers. However, it was Memphis that posted a win in the most recent contest, a 98-85 decision back in 1973 as part of that year's Final Four.
A total of 14 players hit the floor for Providence against the Black Bears on Tuesday night as the Friars cooked Maine by 30-points at home. Ryan Gomes registered a double-double for the locals with team-highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds, not to mention adding a team-high six assists and posting three steals in the win. Donnie McGrath and Dwight Brewington both hit 4-of-6 shots behind the three-point line, finishing with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the team converted 10-of-23 beyond the arc overall to help overcome 16 turnovers. Gomes, certainly one of the top players if not the best in the Big East Conference, leads Providence in both scoring and rebounding at the moment with averages of 19.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per outing. Gomes is also second in both assists (36) and steals (20) as he shoots nearly 50 percent from the field and is 40 percent accurate beyond the arc. Brewington (15.5 ppg) may have barely half the number of rebounds as Gomes, but he's a fierce competitor in the paint at the defensive end of the floor with his 14 blocked shots.
The Tigers got just 15 points from their bench in the loss to Louisiana Tech on Monday night, all of those being scored by Sean Banks on 3-of-10 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Duane Erwin registered a double-double for Memphis with 11 points and 10 rebounds, adding a team-high five blocked shots, while Rodney Carney and Darius Washington each accounted for 10 points in the losing effort as well. Although Memphis limited LaTech to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field, the team had no answer for Paul Millsap (last year's rebounding leader) as he posted 19 points, 15 boards and five blocks. The Tigers turned the ball over 15 times and shot just 7-of-31 from the floor in the second half, 2-of-11 beyond the arc. Carney currently leads the team in scoring with his 16.7 ppg, although he is costing his squad priceless scoring opportunities by hitting a mere 17-of-61 beyond the arc and just 38 percent from the field overall. Joey Dorsey has been a force in the middle for the Tigers, clearing 8.6 rpg, but is scoring just 5.9 ppg mainly because smart defenses will send him to the line where he is just 11-of-31 (.355).
With Banks back in the mix for the Tigers things should again be looking up, but that still doesn't mean that Memphis has the players to beat a school like Providence. Gomes will have his way in the paint for the Friars and cause all sorts of matchup issues at the FedExForum in the process. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Providence 83, Memphis 71
