2009–10 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team

The 2009–10 Memphis Tigers men's basketball
Memphis Tigers basketball
The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Memphis in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The Tigers compete in Conference USA, in which they have won six regular season and four conference tournament championships. As of 2011, the Tigers have the 29th highest...

team represented the University of Memphis

University of Memphis

The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....

in the 2009–10 college basketball season

2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

The 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2009, and ended with the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 5, 2010 on the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The opening round occurred on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, followed by first...

, the 89th season of Tiger basketball. The Tigers were coached by first-year head coach Josh Pastner

Josh Pastner

-References:...

, played their home games at the FedExForum

FedExForum

The FedEx Forum is an arena located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the home of the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Memphis, both of whom previously played home games at the Pyramid Arena...

in Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....

, Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

and are members of Conference USA

Conference USA

Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...

. They finished the season 24–10, 13–3 in C-USA play. They were the 2 seed in the 2010 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament

2010 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament

The 2010 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament took place March 10–13, 2010 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The tournament was won by #7 seed Houston who receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. All Quarterfinal and semifinal games were broadcast on CBS College Sports and...

where they were upset by 7 seed and eventual champion Houston

2009–10 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2009–10 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston in the college basketball 2009-10 season. It was their 65th year of season play. The head coach for the Cougars was Tom Penders, who was serving in his 6th year in that position. The team played its home games...

. They failed to be invited to the NCAA Tournament

NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...

for the first time since 2005

2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament

The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St...

. Instead, the Tigers were invited to the 2010 National Invitation Tournament

2010 National Invitation Tournament

-Arizona State Bracket:-Virginia Tech Bracket:-Mississippi State Bracket:-NIT Final Four - NIT Semifinals and NIT Championship Game:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City-See also:*2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...

where they advanced to the second round before losing to the Ole Miss Rebels

2009–10 Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team

The 2009–10 Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2009–10 college basketball season. This was head coach Andy Kennedy's fourth season at Ole Miss. The Rebels compete in the Southeastern Conference and played their home games at Tad Smith Coliseum...

Pre-Season

The 2008–09 Memphis Tigers
2008–09 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2008–09 college basketball season, the 88th season of Tiger basketball...

finished the season 33–4 (16–0), as Conference USA

Conference USA

regular season and tournament champions. After three early losses, the Tigers went on a 27-game unbeaten streak, finally coming to an end with a season-ending 102–91 loss to the Missouri Tigers

Missouri Tigers men's basketball

The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at...

in the Sweet 16

NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

. Memphis finished the season ranked 9th in the final Coaches' Poll and 3rd in the AP Poll

AP Poll

The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...

.

A turbulent offseason for the Tigers began with the news of Billy Gillispie's

Billy Gillispie

Billy Clyde Gillispie , also known by his initials BCG, is an American college basketball coach. Since 2011, he has been the current head coach of the men's basketball team at Texas Tech University...

firing at the University of Kentucky

Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball

The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...

. Despite assurances that “Memphis is where I want to coach,” John Calipari

John Calipari

John Calipari is an American basketball coach. Since April 2009, he has been the men's head coach at the University of Kentucky....

resigned as head coach of the Tigers to take the job at Kentucky on March 31, 2009. After a week-long coaching search, Memphis athletic director

Athletic director

An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...

R.C. Johnson announced the hiring of former Arizona

Arizona Wildcats men's basketball

The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich...

and Memphis assistant Josh Pastner

Josh Pastner

-References:...

as head basketball coach. At 32 years of age, Coach Pastner is the second-youngest men's head basketball coach in the NCAA.

Calipari's departure resulted in the disintegration of Memphis' recruiting class. Signed recruits DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins is an American professional basketball player with the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky.-High school career:...

and Darnell Dodson were allowed out of their letters of intent

National Letter of Intent

The National Letter of Intent is a document used to indicate a student athlete's commitment to participating NCAA colleges and universities in the United States. The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association provides...

and followed Calipari to Kentucky. Xavier Henry

Xavier Henry

Xavier Henry is an American professional basketball shooting guard with the Memphis Grizzlies of the Xavier Henry is an American professional [[basketball]] [[shooting guard]] with the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] of the Xavier Henry is an American professional [[basketball]] [[shooting guard]] with...

was also allowed to leave, and while briefly considering following Calipari as well, ultimately decided to attend the University of Kansas. Guard Nolan Dennis was also allowed to leave, choosing to attend Baylor University

Baylor Bears men's basketball

The Baylor Bears basketball team represents Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Bears compete in the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games in Ferrell Center and is currently coached by Scott Drew....

. Of Memphis' original 2009 recruiting class, only JUCO

Junior college

The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...

forward Will Coleman decided to honor his commitment to play for the Tigers. Sophomore forward Ángel García lost most of the season with an ACL tear, but made an unexpected debut after only five months of recovery. Despite shooting 52% in 2-point field goals and 41% in 3-point field goals, García saw limited action due to the recovery process.

Memphis' roster was also devastated by other departures not directly related to the coaching change. Redshirt

Redshirt (college sports)

Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...

freshman C. J. Henry

C. J. Henry

Carl Joshua Henry, Jr. is a college basketball player for the Southern Nazarene University men's basketball team.-Early life:Henry is the son of Carl Henry, Sr., a former professional basketball player...

, brother of Xavier Henry, chose to transfer to Kansas to play with his brother after sitting out the season due to an ankle injury. Memphis recruit Latavious Williams decided not to honor his commitment, instead deciding to play professionally in China; ultimately, Williams was drafted into the NBA Development League

NBA Development League

The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...

. On March 31, 2009, freshman sensation Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Jamir Evans is an American professional basketball player with Virtus Roma in Italy. He is also under contract with the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association , but is not currently playing with them because of the 2011 NBA lockout...

declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft

2009 NBA Draft

The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...

, ultimately being drafted 4th overall by the Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...

. Senior forward Shawn Taggart

Shawn Taggart

Shawn Taggart, , is an American basketball player.As a junior power forward/center for the Memphis Tigers he averaged 10.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG in the 2008-09 season...

declared for the draft on June 6, 2009, despite having one year of eligibility remaining. Seniors Antonio Anderson

Antonio Anderson

Antonio Andrew Anderson is an American professional basketball player. He majored in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Memphis. He starred at Lynn Vocational Technical High School after playing his freshman year at Lynn English High School, where his older brother Anthony had been a...

and Robert Dozier

Robert Dozier

Robert Lorenzo Dozier, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who played college basketball with the Memphis Tigers and was selected by the NBA team the Miami Heat in the 2009 NBA Draft...

also declared for the draft after their graduation from the University; Chance McGrady, brother of Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady

Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...

also graduated, but did not declare for the draft.

The Tigers began the 2009–10 season on October 16, 2009 with Memphis Madness

Midnight Madness (basketball)

Midnight Madness is an annual event on college campuses that celebrates the first day in mid-October that the National Collegiate Athletic Association permits formal basketball practices each college basketball season. In some cases, the name has literal meaning since an event is scheduled...

. Over 18,000 fans attended the free event at FedExForum, with several hundred fans turned away at the door by the Memphis Fire Department for safety reasons. The capacity crowd was the largest to ever witness a Memphis Madness event.

Departures

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	\| Notes
Anderson, Antonio Antonio Anderson Antonio Andrew Anderson is an American professional basketball player. He majored in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Memphis. He starred at Lynn Vocational Technical High School after playing his freshman year at Lynn English High School, where his older brother Anthony had been a...	5	G	6' 6"	215	Senior	Lynn, Massachusetts Lynn, Massachusetts Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...	1st all-time in games played (150) 4th all-time in steals (213) 5th all-time in assists (538) 18th all-time in points scored (1,277) 45th player to score 1,000+ points Recorded 3rd all-time triple-double (12 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists) 2nd player to record a triple-double (Anfernee Hardaway recorded two) 1st player with 1,000+ points, 500+ rebounds, and 500+ assists 2008 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament 2008 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament The 2008 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament was won by Memphis. By winning the tournament, Memphis received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It took place from March 12–15, 2008 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee... MVP
Dozier, Robert Robert Dozier Robert Lorenzo Dozier, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who played college basketball with the Memphis Tigers and was selected by the NBA team the Miami Heat in the 2009 NBA Draft...	2	F	6' 9"	220	Senior	Lithonia, Georgia Lithonia, Georgia Lithonia is a suburban town in eastern DeKalb County, Georgia, incorporated as a city. Lithonia's population was 1,924 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...	3rd all-time in games played (148) 5th all-time in blocks (228) 6th all-time in rebounds (961) 17 career double-doubles 14th all-time in points scored (1,381) 44th player to score 1,000+ points 6th player to record 1,000+ points and 900+ rebounds
Evans, Tyreke Tyreke Evans Tyreke Jamir Evans is an American professional basketball player with Virtus Roma in Italy. He is also under contract with the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association , but is not currently playing with them because of the 2011 NBA lockout...	12	G	6' 6"	195	Freshman	Chester, Pennsylvania Chester, Pennsylvania Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...	1st all-time in steals by a freshman (77) 2nd all-time in points scored by a freshman (632) Scored in double figures in 33 games (37 played) 1st Memphis player to be named consensus National Freshman of the Year 2009 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament 2009 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament The 2009 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 11–14, 2009 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.-Bracket:Asterisk denotes game ended in overtime.-References:... MVP Drafted 4th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft 2009 NBA Draft The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S... by the Sacramento Kings Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
Henry, C.J.	14	G	6' 3"	195	Freshman	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...	Transferred to Kansas
McGrady, Chance	10	G	6' 2"	183	Senior	Auburndale, Florida Auburndale, Florida Auburndale is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,032 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 12,381...	Brother of Tracy McGrady Tracy McGrady Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto... Only player to wear a different number every year (#11, #55, #31, #10)
Simpkins, Matt	15	F	6' 9"	215	Freshman	Sacramento, California Sacramento, California Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...	Dismissed from team Feb. 6, 2009
Taggart, Shawn Shawn Taggart Shawn Taggart, , is an American basketball player.As a junior power forward/center for the Memphis Tigers he averaged 10.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG in the 2008-09 season...	0	F	6' 10"	238	Junior	Richmond, Virginia Richmond, Virginia Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...	87 career blocks, 7 double-doubles in two seasons at Memphis (transferred from Iowa State Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team represents Iowa State University and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.-Johnny Orr era :... )

Statistics accurate as of 29 March 2010.

Recruiting

Roster

Schedule

|-
!colspan=9| Exhibition
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!colspan=9| Regular Season

|-
!colspan=9| 2010 Conference USA Tournament
2010 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2010 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament took place March 10–13, 2010 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The tournament was won by #7 seed Houston who receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. All Quarterfinal and semifinal games were broadcast on CBS College Sports and...

|-
!colspan=9| 2010 National Invitation Tournament
2010 National Invitation Tournament
-Arizona State Bracket:-Virginia Tech Bracket:-Mississippi State Bracket:-NIT Final Four - NIT Semifinals and NIT Championship Game:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City-See also:*2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...