Memphis reminds GU coach of Washington
Gonzaga coach Mark Few sees plenty of parallels between the University of Memphis and University of Washington men’s basketball teams – which should give GU fans plenty of cause for concern heading into tonight’s non-conference showdown against the fourth-ranked Tigers at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Tipoff is set for 4 PST, and Few expects Memphis (9-1) to present, perhaps, an even greater challenge than the Huskies, who handed his eighth-ranked Bulldogs (9-2) a 99-95 loss in Seattle on Dec. 4.
“They’re just amazingly athletic; I mean, amazingly athletic. And so fast,” Few said of coach John Calipari’s Tigers (9-1), who have won six straight games since falling to No. 1-ranked Duke, 70-67, in the NIT Season Tip-Off in late November. “They’ve got guys with NBA potential at every position.
“The situation is similar to what we faced at Washington in that we’re going up against a higher-level athlete and a bunch of guys with big-time NBA potential.”
The one thing working against Memphis, however, is its youth.
The Tigers returned two starters from last year’s 22-16 team that lost to Saint Joseph’s in the semifinals of the NIT, but only one of them – Darius Washington – has been a full-time starter this season.
The other, 6-foot-7 senior forward Rodney Carney, is averaging a team-high 17.5 points, but has started in only six of the 10 games he’s played.
Listed, along with Washington, as probable starters tonight are sophomore forward Joey Dorsey and three freshmen.
The best of the newcomers is Shawn Williams, a 6-8, 225-pound forward, who is averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. Rookies Antonio Anderson and Chris Douglas-Roberts are expected to round out the Tigers’ starting backcourt.
“The key for us,” Few said, “is to do a good job on transition defense and just handle their athleticism – which we have quite a lack, thereof, with all of our injuries.”
The Zags haven’t lost since falling to the Huskies six games ago. But they haven’t played particularly well in any of their last four outings, including Thursday’s 60-57 road win over Saint Louis.
In addition, the Bulldogs have had little time to prepare for tonight’s game after taking a couple days off for Christmas.
Most of GU’s players flew home for an abbreviated holiday break after the Saint Louis game and didn’t rejoin the team until Monday. Those who stayed in Spokane over the break practiced Sunday evening, but only briefly.
“We just had to get our guys home for Christmas,” Few explained. “So, much like the Oklahoma State game last week, where we didn’t have much time to prepare, we’re going to have to go with what we’ve been doing for the last 2 1/2 months and hope that’s good enough.
“We’d like to have more time, but that’s just the way the schedule falls.”
Notes
It is known the Zags have a set of new red game uniforms in their possession, and it has been rumored they may break them out tonight against Memphis. When asked about such a possibility, Few looked away and said, “I don’t know.” … Tonight’s game will be televised live nationally on ESPN2, with Dan Shulman doing play-by-play, Dick Vitale adding color commentary and Doris Burke serving as sideline reporter… . Tonight’s game marks the first time Memphis has hosted a contest involving two top-10 teams. … Gonzaga won its only other game against Memphis, tripping the Tigers 88-73 in the first round of the 1998 NIT… . GU is also eighth in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll, moving up from No. 9 a week ago. Memphis is also fourth in the coaches poll, the same spot it held a week ago.