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News Nuggets, 11.15.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Calipari primes young Tigers for Preseason NIT

Memphis coach John Calipari was mostly pleased with the effort his team produced in its two exhibition games, but realizes there's plenty of room for improvement.

The 12th-ranked Tigers, buoyed by a talented quintet of freshmen, begin the 2005-06 season when they host Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the first round of the Preseason NIT on Tuesday.

Memphis defeated LeMoyne-Owen 104-60 and Christian Brothers 98-53 in its two preseason games, and while those scores suggest domination, Calipari wasn't happy with some aspects of his team's game.

"I liked the effort and the pace," he said following the win over Christian Brothers on Nov. 7. "What I didn't like was that our patience on offense was just horrendous. We have to learn to play fast but be patient.

"We don't need to just take the first shot."

Memphis went 22-16 last season, which ended with a 70-58 loss to Saint Joseph's in the NIT semifinals. This season, the Tigers are hoping their star freshmen can help them return to the NCAA tournament.

The addition of Antonio Anderson, Kareem Cooper, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Robert Dozier and Shawne Williams has Memphis thinking it can have a very successful season. Four of the five, except Douglas-Roberts, played together on Laurinburg (NC) Prep's national title team last season that went 40-0.

Tigers senior forward and Conference USA preseason player of the year Rodney Carney's 26 points led five Memphis players in double figures against Christian Brothers. Williams had 16 points, and Anderson and Cooper each added 10 for the Tigers.

In the two exhibition games, Memphis had 46 steals and forced 62 turnovers to earn Calipari's praise.

"As long as you defend, rebound and block shots ... then we're all happy," he said.

One player Memphis won't have is senior guard Jeremy Hunt, dismissed by Calipari on Oct. 4 for violating team policy and an agreement with the university. Hunt, who'd been charged with domestic assault of an ex-girlfriend Jan. 10, had been suspended indefinitely after an undisclosed Sept. 18 incident on Memphis' Beale Street.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee is looking to build off its success from last season, when it stunned Alabama and Boston College in the NCAA tournament before eventually falling to national title runner-up Illinois in the round of 16.

First-year coach Rob Jeter takes over for Bruce Pearl, who quit to take the Tennessee job, and inherits five players led by senior forward Joah Tucker.

Tucker averaged 16.2 points and had a career-high 32 against Illinois in the tournament, Adrian Tigert averaged 9.2 points but was a defensive mainstay and guard Boo Davis averaged 10.2 points last season.

"What we're going to do is get these guys to play solid half-court man-to-man defense, take care of each possession, get to the free throw line," Jeter said. "And, yes, we're going to allow the guys to get up the court fast, play fast, but also make sure we're not throwing the ball away."

The winner of this game faces either No. 15 Alabama or Miami (OH) on Thursday.

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News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:29 PM