Final Four — Memphis

MEMPHIS
Tigers

2007-08 Record: 37–1 (16–0 Conference USA)

Head Coach: John Calipari (2nd Final Four)

Calipari led the University of Massachusetts to the Final Four in 1996 before taking over as head coach of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets the following year. Since arriving in Memphis in 2000, Coach Cal has won an NIT title and made the NCAA Tournament five times — with back-to-back Elite Eight finishes in 2006 and 2007 before breaking through to the Final Four this year. The Tigers were the most popular early exit among high seeds, since hardly anyone wanted to pick four No. 1 seeds before the Tournament began. That fact has not been lost on Calipari, who is hoping to take the “us against the world” mentality all the way to a national title.

Star: Derrick Rose, Freshman, Guard

Memphis has a shot at winning it all if it gets two more NBA games out of Rose, who played more like an All-Star than an All-American against Texas — with 21 points, nine assists, six rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal during an 85-67 blowout in front of a burnt orange Houston crowd. When Rose is on his game, the potential No. 1 overall pick makes his teammates better with highlight reel assists leading to easy baskets, explosive dunks and shutdown defense on the opponent’s lead guard.

Co-Stars: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Junior, Guard; Joey Dorsey, Senior, Forward

CDR has been overshadowed by Rose lately, but remains the Tigers’ top scoring option. While Rose was busy filling the statline against Texas, Douglas-Roberts scored 25 points and hit 14-of-17 from the free throw line in the victory. Meanwhile, the 6’9”, 260-pound Dorsey has become an even more intimidating and powerful force. Dorsey’s go-to move is a two-handed throw-down dunk that Darryl Dawkins should name at some point.

Supporting Cast: Robert Dozier, Junior, Forward; Antonio Anderson, Junior, Guard

Dozier fouled out of the Elite Eight match-up with Texas after scoring only two points. But the lanky forward averaged 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds this season and will be expected to bounce back in the Final Four against UCLA. Meanwhile, Anderson could be a secret weapon against the Bruins, who will be more concerned (and rightfully so) with stopping Rose and CDR.

Bench: Doneal Mack, Sophomore, Guard; Shawn Taggart, Sophomore, Forward

Mack, Taggart and guard Willie Kemp will likely be featured players on next year’s Memphis roster. But the sophomores probably won’t see much action against the Bruins unless something unforeseen (foul trouble or injury) happens during the course of a Final Four match-up that Coach Cal thinks he can win with a tight rotation of proven players.

Road to San Antonio: Little Rock, Ark., to Houston, Texas

First Round: (16) Texas-Arlington (87–63)
Second Round: (8) Mississippi State (77–74)
Sweet 16: (5) Michigan State (92–74)
Elite Eight: (2) Texas (85–67)

Quote:

“He just has a will to win. It may be with a defensive stop. It may be with a rebound that he nicked his head on the rim as he went to get it. It may be outrunning the entire field when he started behind everybody. It may be a steal, a dive, a tip out of nowhere. And then again, it may be a drive baseline and dunk on their team.”

— John Calipari, discussing his freshman point guard Derrick Rose.