GAME SPECIFICS
Date: Monday, Nov. 20
Tip: 1:32 p.m. CST (9:32 a.m. Hawaii time)
TV: ESPN2
Series: Memphis leads 4-0
OKLAHOMA PROJECTED STARTERS
F 32 Taylor Griffin (6-7, 232, So., 8.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg)
C 30 Longar Longar (6-11, 228, Jr., 17.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
G 5 Tony Crocker (6-5, 187, Fr., 16.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G 15 David Godbold (6-5, 215, Jr., 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
G 20 Austin Johnson (6-3, 160, So., 11.0 ppg, 3.0 apg)
MEMPHIS PROJECTED STARTERS
F 2 Robert Dozier (6-9, 215, So., 13.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg)
F 32 Joey Dorsey (6-9, 260, Jr., 11.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg)
G 1 Willie Kemp (6-2, 165, Fr., 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
G 12 Antonio Anderson (6-6, 200, So., 12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
G 14 Chris Douglas-Roberts (6-6, 190, So., 21.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg
The Tigers lost their top three scorers from last season's Elite Eight team but they do return 11 lettermen from last season's squad. They are currently ranked #13 in the nation but like the Sooners the jury is still out on this team because their only regular season game was a 111-69 win over Jackson State. However, when was the last time you saw a John Calipari team that wasn't loaded with talent?
Sophomore guard Chris Douglas-Roberts is the team's leading returning scorer, averaging 8.3 points last season. In the season opener he had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Jeremy Hunt, who missed the 2005-06 season due to injury, scored 16 points against Jackson State including 3-for-5 3-point shooting. He averaged 9.5 points a game as a junior in 2004-05. Antonio Anderson, a sophomore guard, averaged 7.2 points a game last year and scored 12 points in the opener. Junior forward Joey Dorsey averaged 6.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last year and finished with 11 points, 13 boards and four blocks against Jackson State.
The Sooners will have Michael Neal in the line-up today which will increase their threat from long range. Hopefully he will provide some consistency after OU was exceptional from behind the arch but struggled against Liberty Thursday night.
This is a statement game for Oklahoma. No one really expects them to win this game but there is the expectation to be competitive and if that happens then anything is possible in these early season tournaments.
If you are home from work today or, like me, taking a late extended lunch make sure to check back here to leave your thoughts and comments on the game.