The Nets say that there isn’t any time table for his return — it’s just a matter of when the 6-foot-7 swingman feels he is healthy enough to get back on the court.

On the season, Douglas-Roberts is averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He has also connected on 19-of-21 free throws. Last season as a rookie, Douglas-Roberts averaged less than five points per contest.

Despite the improvement by Douglas-Roberts, the Nets are winless on the season. At 0-7, the Nets have been hit hard by the injury bug. In addition to Douglas-Roberts getting swine flu, the Nets are without Devin Harris (groin strain), Yi Jianlian (knee injury) and Courtney Lee (groin strain). In fact, the only healthy starter at the moment for New Jersey is Brook Lopez.

Chris Douglas-Roberts has swine flu (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Swine Flu Sidelines Chris Douglas-Roberts

The United States basketball team destroyed Spain today 119-82 to advance to the medal round. This should come as no surprise. The U.S. has been abusing the competition since they got off the plane in Beijing and will no doubt bring home the gold and make up for the sins of the 2004 team that had to settle for the bronze.

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmello Anthony and other members of the “Redeemed Team” are showing the rest of the world that you don’t mess with the U.S. when it comes to basketball.

Ok, so we’ve sent our best professionals to go and beat up on countries like Spain, Greece, China and Angola.

Big deal!

We used to send our best college players to do that. We did for decades and were very successful. But after we came home with the bronze in 1988 with college players, the powers that be thought it was time to send in the big guns and create the ultimate “Dream Team”. That team featured the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. It may have been the biggest one-sided battle against the world since the U.S. invaded Grenada 25 years ago.

The U.S. has always been a basketball country and always will be. Having said that, I think that if we went back to sending our best college players to Beijing we still would come back home with the gold.

Imagine a college Dream Team or Redeem Team featuring Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, D.J. Augustin, Brook Lopez, Joe Alexander, Brandon Rush, Tyler Hansbrough, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Roy Hibbert, and I’ll even throw in George Hill.

Do you agree that this team would not be able to challenge the rest of the world? They may not destroy the field as the current team is doing, but they are certainly good enough to win the gold.

If we are so determined to send in our professionals, then why not add a few college players or go half pro and half college? After Beijing we would have made our point. We’re the best and everyone knows it. It’s now time to reconsider allowing some of our best amateurs back in the Olympics.

Post from: EveryJoe

It May Be Time To Give The Olympics Back To The College Players

My NBA draft predictions weren’t exactly Matt Millen-esque, actually far from it, however a couple of glaring mistakes certainly overshadowed the brilliant gems.

Like anyone is keeping score at home, besides me that is.

I keep score.

In previous posts I predicted

Shawn James, a shot blocker out of Duquesne, would be drafted.

I also was high on St. Joes forward Pat Calathes. He too was not drafted. However, I happened to notice that Jay Bilas had Pat Calathes on his list of 6 best remaining players not yet drafted, though that was after pick # 59.

My big monstrosity of an error was the George Hill prediction. Plain and simple I didn’t expect teams to have much respect for George, the little Summit League star from IUPUI.

I will say it again for whoever may have missed it: Seeing George Hill play in person, as I did late in the season last year, didn’t really allow me to gage his full repertoire and potential.

Obviously that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

Now my opinion about the kid could have been swayed because of the complete beating Oakland U put on IUPUI that night, though I would have hoped it would not have because that’s not a sensible way to go about forming opinions on players. Thinking back I probably let the outcome of the game affect what I thought about George Hill.

Still doesn’t mean he will be any good but…

The guy was picked in the first round and by the San Antonio Spurs no less!

Victories

At least Sasha Kaun and Malik Hairston were drafted. And at least D.J. White was drafted in round one, even though the team who drafted him didn’t keep him.

Another little victory for me was Bill Walker. Yeah, he slipped a bit, but he’s on the best NBA team out there right now.

And finally I’d like to take credit and say I knew Jason Thompson would be a top #15 pick, but that would be a lie. Though I did say he was intriguing…

A morsel of my last post discussed Chris Douglas-Roberts’s draft night gag, and as expected, nothing much was accomplished. I guess the post was a good excuse to get Shawn Marion’s name out there, Kevin Martin’s as well, but of course I whiffed at the chance to link out to some frequently visited pro basketball blogs.

Lesson learned.

Mental note forwarded.

Will whore myself out more for the chance of getting more pv’s in the future.

So anyway, the whole story of why CDR’s stock dropped so excessively can be explained quite simply. It’s not as wondrous as a Harry Potter adventure… or an ominous kidney—but it will do for now, at least until Joe Dumars can escape the area so the steadfast anti-Tayshaun Prince portion of Metro Detroit doesn’t tear down his residence with him in it, or worse, leak out malicious, yet well meaning, trade proposals of a re-acquisition of Darko!

CDR apparently took the easy route during the draft workout period. It seems that CDR was extremely confident he would not be around at #20. Thus not only did he decline a workout with the Detroit Pistons, an organization’s fan base who is desperately wondering why Walter Sharpe was picked instead of CDR, he also most likely declined workout invitations from various other teams selecting after pick #20. If that assertion is valid, then shame on CDR for having a bigger head than Placido Polanco and for not putting himself out there to the best of his ability. After all, jobs are hard to come by in the NBA, very hard. There aren’t many openings, but when there are, there’s dozens and dozens of talented guys who would do anything to fill them.

Being picky about who you workout for not only sends a bad message to the teams he blew off, but the league as a whole. You can be sure other teams took note of his behavior.

So it seems that the “unorthodox” label was only part of the pie.

But being that CDR is from Detroit, there could be even more to the story.

Maybe a demon or two lurk in CDR’s Detroit past? Maybe he’s acutely aware of a leech like entourage waiting for him, waiting to engulf him, to suck from him the very strength and focus he had in order to make it out in the first place.

But that would only explain Detroit.

Everything aside,

CDR and I will still get paid.

Post from: EveryJoe

CDR and I: Licking our wounds, but still getting paid, probably

Memphis looks much more legit now with a Mayo-Gay combo.

Minnesota? Jefferson-McCants, Jefferson-Gomes.

Ouch.

Speaking of Memphis, Chris Douglas-Roberts did get chosen by a team on draft night. It might have been after most went to bed or stopped watching, but it did happen.

CDR got to the free throw line 63 times during last year’s tourney. He scored 20 + points in 5 out of the 6 games.

Those stout postseason numbers combined with an impressive 3 year career, in a logical world, would have meant a nice first round guaranteed contract.

Instead he went 40th.

He went AFTER college players such as D.J. White, Courtney Lee, the impervious George Hill, the literal sleepy man Walter Sharpe, household name Sonny Weems and even the next Bruce Bowen, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute.

During the draft the term “unorthodox” was thrown around every time CDR’s name came about.

News Flash

Shawn Marion
Manu Ginobili
Kevin Martin…

are just a couple off hand names that came to mind of unorthodox players.

East Coast Bias has this to add about CDR and fellow New Jersey draft pick Ryan Anderson #21

Additionally: the Nets drafted Ryan Anderson and Chris Douglas Roberts. I love Anderson’s ability to shoot the ball. Chris Douglas-Roberts has some ability as a slashing scorer, but he’s not NBA quick, and he never struck me as that strong. But he’s gotten it done on one of the best teams in the country, so he gets a second round look.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of CDR, yet his success during his college career cannot be overlooked. The stats are there.

West Virginia phenom Joe Alexander was drafted at #8.

Talk practice believes Joe Alexander is a Mandarin speaking, semi-athletic, solely mid-range jump shooting defensive liability. Well they got the Mandarin part right. Apparently Joe stole the walk-on spot at WVU of someone over at talkpractice—nobody would otherwise be able to come up with that conclusion. The guy has a go get’em attitude and all the skills to be a big time player in the NBA.

WBGV discusses Joe’s weaknesses and strengths with a little less vim and a little more sense.

Pac 10 Strong

12 Pac 10 players were taken, the most out of any conference. A few surprises, at least from my point of view

Maarty Luenen #54

Bayless slipped to #11

Moute was indeed drafted, much to the surprise of… well, probably just me.

Other suprises

Patrick Ewing Jr., all 6.1ppg of him, was drafted at #43.

Bill Walker #47, the guy I’ve compared to Paul Pierce, will actually get to suit with Paul this coming season. Not a bad guy to be mentored by. His reoccurring knee problems were really the red flag that kept many teams away.

Darrell Arthur was THE Surprise of draft night. The Kansas star, after being passes over selection by selection, sunk lower and lower into his chair, all the virility he held at the beginning of the night gone, but at #27 his wait was over. For a short time he had to think it was well worth it, because New Orleans picked him, meaning he would play with the best point guard in the world.

That was not to be. Memphis ended up receiving Arthur at the conclusion of the draft wheeling and dealing. What a find.

Some kind of supposed kidney problem really scared teams away from Arthur.

Was it all just a big misunderstanding? Did 15 or so teams really just pass on a future NBA starter? More info here at SI.com

Kansas was well represented on draft night. Not only did Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur get selected, but fellow starters Darnell Jackson and Mario Chalmers were selected in round two, as was super sub Sasha Kaun.

It didn’t stop there. Former Jayhawk J.R. Giddens (New Mexico) was the last player drafted in the first round.

Rider product Jason Thompson was drafted at #12. I had a good feeling about him going into the draft, but top 15 was beyond outstanding. Remember small school star Rodney Stuckey? Don’t sleep on those small school guys.

Some mentionable undrafted players

Chris Lofton- Will get his chance
Gary Forbes- A guy who could improve his craft overseas
Josh Duncan- A tweener who will have to take the tough route
DeMarcus Nelson- Could latch on somewhere as a lock down defender
Pat Calathes- His inability to out jump and run people really got him
Jamont Gordon- Should have returned to school and improved his stroke
Davon Jefferson- Came out way too early and didn’t play with enough passion in the Pre-Draft camps
David Padgett- Better off not drafted, he will get to choose which team is best for him to try out for. Good chance he’s on a roster within a couple of years. He’s still really cool either way.
Drew Neitzel- Spartan Weblog believes this was best for Drew. He, like Padgett, gets to choose the “best fit”

Here are all the draft picks with trades included

Round 1

Round 2

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Draft offal: Where Minnesota Trades Mayo Happens

The latest two to declare: Memphis junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and UCLA forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

CDR led Memphis in scoring at 18.1 points per game and made a name for himself during the Tigers run through the NCAA tournament. At 6′7″, Douglas-Roberts could easily play the 3 in the NBA. He can shoot from the outside and has a pretty decent post-up game.

Mbah a Moute is hoping to get drafted on his defensive abilities alone, which is pretty scary. He only averaged 8.8 points and 6 rebounds this year for the Bruins, who may get Mbah a Moute back as he is not going to hire an agent.

Post from: EveryJoe

Let the underclassmen exodus to the NBA begin, Part II

Before I start, I promised my pick, and that is Memphis. Even though Kansas looked incredible against North Carolina, I like how Memphis is rolling right now.

Of course, I’m forced to listen to Billy Packer and Jim Nantz once again – man, do I hate listening to both of them.

First Half

- Memphis darts out to a quick 9-3 lead after the first 4 minutes. Play is a bit helter-skelter right now, especially on Kansas’ part. Two early turnovers show the Jayhawks are feeling the pressure.

- Even though they are ahead, Memphis is standing around way too much on offense. On their last possession, 4 guys were standing around watching Derrick Rose go one-on-one. They won’t beat Kansas that way.

- Kansas comes out of a TV timeout and ties up the score at 9. They’ve tightened up their defense and are forcing Memphis to take some very tough shots. Memphis is trying to get by on their athleticism instead of working the ball for a good shot, and it isn’t working very well. 12:30 left in the first half, and the score is Memphis 13, Kansas 11.

- Kansas guard Brandon Rush is eating Chris Douglas-Roberts for lunch right now – two straight drives where he beat Douglas-Roberts off the dribble. Not a good sign for Memphis.

- Mario Chalmers hits the first trey of the game to put Kansas up 18-13. Memphis’ Dorsey picks up a silly over-the-back foul on the next trip down the floor. Memphis looks rattled.

- Memphis bulldozer, Pierre Miles, has come into the game to give Dorsey a rest. Miles is 6′8″ and 310 pounds. Miles needs to throw his weight around to throw Kansas off their game.

- The game has opened up now – both teams are pushing the ball up the floor and launching threes. Kansas up 24-21 with 7:25 to go in the half.

- Douglas-Roberts hits a three from the top of the key to push Memphis ahead 26-24. He has 13 points already. Kansas better find a way to stop him or it could be a long night.

- On a non-game note, the Nike’s “my better is better than your better” commercial is very annoying. Not so much the message, but the ridiculous music that grates on your eardrums. Back to the game…

- Dorsey, Dozier and Taggart each have two fouls for Memphis with 2:31 left in the half. Memphis could be in serious trouble if they get into foul trouble.

- Kansas is shooting 57% from the field, while Memphis is shooting 41%.

- Kansas is also out-rebounding Memphis by 8. Kansas is able to rotate more big guys in and Memphis’ front line looks tired.

- Rose has not scored for 16 minutes. You wonder if he’s fully recovered from the stomach bug that he was fighting yesterday.

- With one minute to go, Memphis has pulled the ball out to milk the clock, which is a little surprising. Calipari must be trying to avoid some late silly fouls.

- Kansas up 33-28 at the half. Memphis has not looked very good at all – little movement on offense, sluggish on defense, not scrambling after loose balls. Rose has been mediocre at best.

Second Half

- Memphis is actually trying to use a little ball movement as well as some screens. We’ll see how long that lasts.

- Dorsey picks up foul #3 for Memphis at the 16:07 mark – not good news for the Tigers. Kansas up 39-38 at the 15:15 mark.

- Rose is looking absolutely awful on the defensive end. Kansas’ guards are beating him off the dribble at will, he’s falling for ball fakes and looks slow.

- Kansas’ 1-2-2 zone is giving Memphis fits – they are still trying to beat the zone individually instead of passing the ball around.

- 8:50 left in the game and Kansas is up 47-46. Memphis just missed a free throw to tie the game – we shall see if Memphis’ poor foul shooting will cost them in this game.

- Kansas has now gone to a box-and-one defense to try and take Chris Douglas-Roberts out of the game. Interesting move by Bill Self. This defense might give Derrick Rose more room to operate, which could be dangerous. Memphis has scored on two straight possessions against the box-and-one to go up 49-47.

- Another non-game tidbit – they just showed a commercial for Ironman, starring Robert Downey Jr. Yeah, when I think if superheroes, I think of Robert Downey Jr. Nice casting there…

- Rose hits another jumper to push the lead to 4. Rose is starting to heat up a bit – perhaps Kansas should put the box-and-one on Rose instead of Douglas-Roberts.

- Kansas is starting to force some shots and looks a bit rushed. Memphis on a 7-0 run, and Kansas has dropped the box-and-one.

- Memphis just missed an alley-oop that could have pushed the lead to 6. Meanwhile, Kansas can’t throw it in the ocean right now.

- Rose hits a driving layup and draws the foul – Memphis up 54-47 with 5:00 to go in the game.

- Rose hits a fall-away bankshot as the shotclock was expiring to push the lead to 7. Rose’s prayer was answered…

- Dorsey just picked up his 4th foul with 3:36 to go. How long will Calipari leave him out?

- Memphis up 56-51 with 3:30 to go. Kansas goes back to the 1-2-2 zone to try and slow Rose down.

- Rose misses a long three but Memphis grabs the long rebound. Memphis is content to milk more time off the clock.

- Kansas has now started to foul the Tigers out on the perimeter. Kansas is content to make Memphis beat them from the foul line. Memphis up 60-51 with 2 minutes to go.

- Collins hits a huge three for Kansas to lower the Memphis lead to 4. Another quick foul by the Jayhawks.

- Douglas-Roberts hits two free throws – Memphis’ lead is back to 6.

- Dorsey just fouled out after getting caught on a defensive switch. If this game goes to O.T., advantage goes to Kansas.

- Chalmers hits two free throws for Kansas – 62-58 Memphis. Memphis has hit its last 5 free throws.

- Douglas-Roberts misses the front end of his one-and-one. Uh-oh.

- Arthur hits an inside bucket for KU to trim the lead to 2.

- Chalmers nearly steals the ball once again and Memphis calls time out. Memphis up 62-60 with 44 seconds left. The Tigers have 19 seconds left on the shot clock.

- Collins drives down and might have been fouled – tough break for KU. Douglas-Roberts is fouled.

- CDR missed both free throws, but Dozier gets the long rebound for Memphis. What a break. Rose is fouled and will get two free throws with 11 seconds left. Memphis’ foul shooting will definitely either win or lose this game for them.

- Let’s see what the freshman sensation Rose does at the line: #1 rims out. Not good. #2 is perfect. Memphis by 3, and KU has no timeouts.

- Chalmers hits a fantastic three from the top of the key with 2 seconds left to tie the game!!! What a shot. And to overtime we go, although the game should be over. Foul shooting…it is all about foul shooting. Memphis missed 4 of its last 5 foul shots, and that may have cost them the national championship.

OVERTIME

- Kansas comes out and makes another steal from the Memphis guards – Chalmers and Collins have such quick hands. KU goes up by two.

- Dozier throws up a wild shot in the lane for Memphis, and the Tigers have no chance at the offensive board with Dorsey out of the game.

- Great alley-oop from Chalmers to Arthur puts Kansas up four. Again, Dorsey wasn’t there to take up space for Memphis.

- Kansas now up 69-63 after a nifty layup by Darnell Jackson. Memphis is losing control of this game in a big hurry.

- CDR hits two freebies to pull Memphis back to within 4. 2:21 remaining.

- Memphis forces Chalmers into a deep three which is short. Great defensive set by the Tigers.

- Rush breaks behind the Memphis defense for the easy layup. CDR follows up with a quick trey – Kansas up 71-68 with 57 seconds left.

- Chalmers is sent to the line with 45 seconds left. First shot is perfect. Second shot is perfect. KU up 73-68.

- CDR misses an easy layup and Kansas forces the jump ball. Possession arrow to the Jayhawks. Memphis now must start to foul.

- Great break for Memphis as Collins slips and goes out of bounds. Memphis ball.

- CDR misses a long range three and Kansas gets the rebound. For as good as he is, Rose has been passing the ball very quickly – he looks like he wants nothing to do with the ball on offense right now.

- 18.2 seconds left and Collins is on the line for two: first shots rattles around the rim and goes in. Second shot is good. Kansas up 75-68.

- Rose misses another three and Kansas is the champion.

If it’s been said once, it’s been said a thousand times – if you don’t shoot your free throws very well, you’re vulnerable. Period. This game was Memphis’ to win, and they couldn’t do it because they didn’t make free throws. Period. End of story.

And I hope the Memphis fans enjoyed Derrick Rose, because you’ll never see him in a Tiger uniform again.

Post from: EveryJoe

National championship game – as it happens

Thursday December 20th – #7 Duke at #9 Pittsburgh. The young Dookies will face a huge test as they travel to Madison Square Garden to face the Sam Young, DeJuan Blair and the Panthers. Both teams have played pretty easy schedules up to this point, so this game will be a great gauge of just how good they really are.

Saturday December 22nd – #4 Georgetown at #2 Memphis. A fantastic top-5 battle will take place at the FedEx Forum in Memphis when Roy Hibbert and the Hoyas come to town to face Chris Douglas-Roberts, Derrick Rose and the high-flying Tigers. If there is one game you watch this weekend, it is this one. Hibbert is the premier center in all of college basketball, and Rose is making a big splash in his freshman season.

If a battle of top-5 teams isn’t enough to satisfy you, may I also recommend watching #5 Texas at #10 Michigan State. The Longhorns have successfully survived the graduation of Kevin Durrant, thank you very much, with D.J. Augustin leading the charge. The Spartans are always tough to play at the Jack Breslin Arena, and the Longhorns know they will be in for a battle.

Post from: EveryJoe

Games to watch this week – 12/19

UConn coach Jim Calhoun just said that Memphis is the most athletic team in the country. Memphis coach John Calipari called the Tigers offense “Princeton on steroids”…they are always attacking the basket, always pushing the ball, lots of motion. The Huskies are going to have their hands full tonight.

1st half

• One minute into the game, and we’ve already seen 4-5 trips down the floor on each end – you can turn the shot clock off for this game. UConn takes a 30 second timeout at 18:37 to calm his troops down a bit, as they are down early 4-0.
• UConn has missed 5 shots from inside 4 feet already. They can’t buy a bucket right now.
• Memphis’s guards are easily penetrating into the key and kicking the ball back out for open threes. Memphis 10, UConn 0 at 17:30 of the half.
• After a made basket, Memphis comes out in a full court press and forces another Huskie turnover.
• UConn is 1-9 from the field with 3 turnovers in its first 12 possessions.
• TV timeout at 15:45 – Memphis 14, UConn 3. Memphis looks as athletic as advertised.
• Memphis’ Dozier just stuffed a dunk attempt which led to easy bucket. Memphis 18, UConn 3. Memphis is 8-13 from the field in the early going.
• Memphis’ front line is doing a great job at collapsing on the ball in the lane and helping out on defense. Their frontcourt is extremely long and athletic. When a UConn player tried a layup, 2-3 guys are always challenging the shot.
• Chris Douglas-Roberts is on fire for Memphis: 5-6 from the field and 12 points in the first 10 minutes.
• With all their blown layups and shots that have been blocked, UConn’s frontline guys are playing very tentative with their backs to the basket. It seems like they are all waiting for one of the Tigers to come out of nowhere and block their shot. Very tentative. Memphis up 22-10 with 10:48 to go.
• Memphis guard Andre Allen is super quick. He just blew by the UConn guards for an easy layup.
• Memphis’ Joey Dorsey is on the bench with two fouls, but they aren’t even phased. Memphis rotates in players by the dozen, it seems. Very deep team.
• Stanley Robinson just roofed the freshman phenom Rose on a drive to the basket. Welcome to the NCAAs Mr. Rose.
• UConn guard AJ Price is starting to assert himself into this game, which is good news for Huskies fans. Memphis up 31-20.
• Price with a pretty rainbow floater along the baseline. The kid can get a shot off from anywhere.
• Memphis 32, UConn 23 with 6:00 to go in the half.
• Rose just put up a couple of ridiculous circus shots. Ahhh…freshmen.
• After starting out 1 for its first 12 from the field, UConn has shot 9-13 since.
• Memphis34, UConn 27 with 3:49 left. Memphis is starting to force a few shots, and UConn is playing with more poise and control. If their 7′3″ center Hasheem Thabeet could finish around the basket, UConn could easily have the lead. He’s had numerous chances to dunk the ball, but isn’t strong enough to go up and finish.
• Calipari was whistled for a technical foul after contesting an offensive goaltending call. Let’s remember the new bench decorum policy, people…
• Memphis up 38-32 with 2:29 to go.
• Price drives into the lane again for an easy layup. Memphis is really missing Dorsey’s presence in the key, as he is still on the bench with his 2 fouls.
• Memphis’ Taggart gets whistled for a technical (which also counts as a personal foul) after slamming the ball on the floor. Decorum people…decorum.
• UConn has trimmed the lead to one with one minute to go. Stanley Robinson gets called for the charge trying to push the Huskies into the lead.
• UConn pulls the ball back to milk the clock a bit before taking their last shot. UConn takes a 41-40 lead on two foul shots. Rose can’t get a shot off, and UConn goes into the locker room with the lead. Unbelievable.

2nd half

• Rose has 12 points for Memphis, but is only 5-13 from the field. He is showing glimpses of brilliance, but is also taking some stupid shots. He needs to make better decisions, but that will come with time.
• Rose with two straight buckets to put Memphis back in front 47-46. Memphis has gone on a 9-2 run with AJ Price on the bench for UConn.
• Memphis up 51-46 with 16:07 to go, and Calhoun puts AJ Price back into the game for the Huskies.
• Price with another slicing layup in the lane – UConn needs him on the floor if they have any shot at winning this game.
• Memphis up 51-50 with 14:40 to go. Pace of play has slowed considerably.
• UConn is really good at reaching in on players driving in the lane and stripping the ball. The Huskies have stolen the ball on the last three possessions.
• UConn’s 6′3″ Jerome Dyson just went coast to coast and skied over 6′9″ Joey Dorsey to slam the ball home, which drew the first oohs and ahhs from Dick Vitale. Jam City baby! Up, up and away!
• Douglas-Roberts is still on fire for Memphis- 22 points on 10-14 shooting. Memphis up 58-57 with 10:57 to go.
• Memphis is having a tough time finishing around the hoop. They are missing easy layups and easy putbacks, and are committing some cheap fouls in the process.
• Rose with an awesome shake-and-bake drive to the hoop for the basket and one. Memphis up 5. It is moves like that which will bring Rose a lot of cash in the NBA. Rose with 21 points on 8-16 shooting thus far.
• Dozier with a solid put back for Memphis, putting the Tigers up by 6.
• Memphis has stretched the lead to 11, 74-63 with 4:52 to go. The Tiger guards are putting more pressure on the Huskie backcourt, and it is paying dividends.
• Douglas-Roberts now has 31 for Memphis – definitely the game MVP.
• UConn going to a half court trap to try and get back into the game. Memphis up 76-67 with 3:19 to go.
• Memphis is now milking the clock making the Huskies chase the ball around the perimeter.
• Memphis up 79-69 with 44.5 seconds left. I’m very surprised that UConn hasn’t started fouling Memphis, as they only shoot 58% from the line.  After Memphis broke the Huskies full court press, there was no effort to foul. I don’t get it. Interesting strategy by Calhoun.

Memphis is extremely athletic, but they play too much one-on-one for me. With that much athleticism and talent, there is no reason why they can’t run some very effective motion-offense sets with back picks and lots of ball movement. They rely too much on isolation plays, which will ultimately hurt them against good defensive squads.

After a down year last season, UConn could surprise a lot of folks this season. Price has a ton of talent, and Calhoun isn’t afraid to play 8-9 guys in a game. That depth will definitely help them in the Big East wars.

Post from: EveryJoe

UConn vs. Memphis…as it happens