Memphis Tigers best bet in Puerto Rico Tip-Off
John Calipari leads his Memphis Tigers into te O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off as the top-ranked team in the tournament. Though the Tigers lost several key members of last year's squad that just fell short of the National Championship, Coach C has a nice freshman class to take their place, led by freshman guard Tyreke Evans who has tallied 19 points in each of Memphis' two games this season.
Have you seen Tyreke Evans play yet?
Now’s your chance. The emerging star freshman guard led the Memphis Tigers in scoring with 19 points in each of their first two games. Game 3 takes place Thursday as part of this year’s Puerto Rico Tip-Off preseason tournament. ESPN is making the trip to Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan – just in case you can’t be there yourself.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s quarterfinal round for this eight-team tourney.
Fairfield vs. Virginia Tech (-11)
Thursday, Nov 20, 11:00 a.m. (ET) ESPNU
The Fairfield Stags were Evans’ first victims, losing their season opener 90-63 as 21-point puppies. They came back with a 70-54 shellacking of their neighbors from Sacred Heart. The Pioneers went to the NEC title game last March, but their profile was far too low to draw any betting odds against the Stags, who are expected to be competitive in the MAAC this year.
The Virginia Tech Hokies are 2-0 after thumping Gardner-Webb 83-62 and getting past Mount St. Mary’s 62-57. Again, no betting lines were offered on either contest. You might remember The Mount as the winners of the play-in game at March Madness 2008; if the Hokies are having trouble against MSM, they’re going to have trouble in the ACC. Losing sophomore forward J.T. Thompson for 4-6 weeks to a sports hernia doesn’t help. Once healthy, he’s expected to fill the hole left by the departure of swingman Deron Washington – the only starter missing from last year’s rotation.
Missouri vs. Xavier (-4)
Thursday, Nov 20, 1:00 p.m. (ET) ESPNU
The Tigers and Musketeers are each 2-0 this year, but Xavier just missed a payday in an 81-65 win over Toledo (+17.5), while Missouri was all over Chattanooga (+13.5) in a 103-75 walkover. This is shaping up to be a “rebound” year for a Tigers program that went 16-16 SU and 8-18 ATS last season in the Big 12, highlighted by a bar brawl that led to multiple suspensions including point guard and top scorer Stefhon Hannah.
Xavier is a familiar face on the college hoops scene, joining Memphis and Gonzaga at the top of the mid-major pile. This will be the second season in a row the Musketeers have lost three starters; however, fifth-year coach Sean Miller has assembled another strong recruiting class, snagging point guard Terrell Holloway from the clutches of Indiana following the Kelvin Sampson scandal. XU might be bound for the Elite Eight again.
Chattanooga vs. No. 13 Memphis (-22)
Thursday, Nov 20, 4:30 p.m. (ET) ESPN2
This is the kind of game that makes your subscription to The Deuce worthwhile. John Calipari keeps bringing the best and the brightest to Memphis; last year, it was Derrick Rose, and in 2009-10, it’ll be No. 1 prospect Xavier Henry. In between, we’ll be treated to a one-and-done season from Evans. He’ll keep the Tigers in the championship hunt after they were denied the title by Mario Chalmers last March.
Chattanooga also has its eyes on a title – in the Southern Conference, although that will be difficult with No. 21 Davidson around. Still, the Mocs have a compelling collection of senior talent surrounding freshman power forward Chris Early, who had originally signed on with the Oklahoma Sooners. Thursday’s contest will be Early’s coming-out party as well.
No .19 Southern California vs. Seton Hall (+8½)
Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (ET) ESPNU
What have the USC Trojans done in the three years since Tim Floyd returned to the college ranks?
- 2005-06: 17-13 SU, 15-13 ATS
- 2006-07: 25-12 SU, 22-11 ATS
- 2007-08: 21-12 SU, 18-13 ATS
Impressive numbers for a coach who was laughed out of the NBA following four awful years with the post-Jordan Bulls and a brief stop in New Orleans. But that time spent in the NBA is a big reason why Floyd continues to draw star recruits, like last year’s superfrosh sensation O.J. Mayo. This year’s weapon of choice is small forward DeMar DeRozan, who should be a better fit in Floyd’s version of the Princeton offense than Mayo was.
Seton Hall started strong last year, upsetting Virginia (-8) in preseason play and bouncing Louisville (-8) and Providence (-8.5) in Big East action before things fell apart. The Pirates live on the perimeter, so Thursday presents another opportunity for Seton Hall to surprise now that Mayo is off the menu.
Memphis Tigers best bet in Puerto Rico Tip-Off
