When you talk about Conference USA, one name keeps popping up -- MEMPHIS!
You know the Tigers are one of the elite teams in America. Coach John Calipari has a loaded roster and he is not thinking about Elite Eight, where Memphis finished the last two seasons (66-8 overall record, 29-1 in C-USA). Calipari is thinking about getting to San Antonio and the Final Four, wanting to cut down the nets and celebrating. That is a legitimate goal!
Memphis is led by Chris Douglas-Roberts, who averaged over 15 ppg. last season. Think about the other talent, with guys like Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier, Joey Dorsey, Andre Allen, Doneal Mack, Willie Kemp and improving big man Hashim Bailey. Then add diaper dandy Derrick Rose into the mix and you understand why there are lofty expectations down on Beale Street.
Conference USA doesn't want to be a one-team league and there are a couple of others to watch as they battle for an NCAA berth. Watch out for UAB and Houston as the next wave in the league. Mike Davis and Tom Penders have plenty of positive experience on the sidelines and both have been at big-time environments before going to UAB and Houston, respectively.
The Blazers are looking to bounce back from a 15-16 season that included a close loss to eventual national champion Florida (75-70). Davis has a number of Marco Polos, guys who transferred from big-time programs. Leading them are ex-Indiana star Robert Vaden and former Mississippi State big man Walter Sharpe. Vaden is a solid long-range shooter while Sharpe, a multi-talented player who can be as good as he wants to be if he develops the right work ethic.
It will not be a walk in the park for Memphis, especially facing UAB and Houston twice in the regular season. The 12-team league has each team meeting once plus five opponents in home-and-home scenarios.
Houston, which has won 18 or more games in each of Penders' three seasons at the helm, is excited about 6-3 guard Robert McKiver. He can put points on the board and averaged almost 21 ppg. in league games last season. McKiver hit nine trifectas in one game last season.
Conference USA has the potential to make more noise this season. I recently spoke to Chris Woolard, a former assistant with our guy Steve Lavin at UCLA and now working in the administrative office at C-USA. He is optimistic about the future of this league.
There is good reason for excitement with Memphis leading the way. UAB and Houston could challenge for a second and maybe even a third bid to the big dance.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
