STF Live-Blog: Memphis Vs Tennessee 1st Half

Tale Of The Tape
Tennessee Teams Memphis

24-2 (11-1) Records 26-0 (12-0)

83.9 PPG 80.8
69.1 PA 61.2
46% FG% 46.6%
36.2% 3PT% 33.8%
64.4% FT% 58.8%

Quick Preview: Well they bot play a relatively similar style, though Tennessee is far more reliant on the three and Memphis plays a stinger brand of defense. I'd like to say I think Tennessee wins with a boatload of treys, but I've more or less decided Memphis is going undefeated (in the regular season). That said though, if Tennessee elects to zone the hell out of the Tigers they're highly likely to pull it off at the Forum tonight.

Anyhow, can't think of a better way to end what's been a great day of college hoops. With Drake supplanting themselves firmly into the tournament (for those who still doubted) and George Mason making it official that they'll need the auto-bid, it's been a fun day. Hopefully this one brings as much excitement as well.

I'll be back just before 9, and we'll kick this off right. Feel free to drop your pick in the comments as well as anything ridiculous Vitale says that I miss.


Pregame
- Is it just me or are these Memphis "Perfection" video's just a bit premature?

- Elivis' ex is in the house! But can she hold a candle to Ashley Judd? Me thinks not.

- Nice to see Marco checking in from the Apple Store.

- Bruce Pearl rocking the orange suspenders extra stong tonight. But will he show up in that magical blazer of his? And subsequently sweat through it?

- I agree with Rece's on the shameless sponsor "Game changer," Dorsey should be dominant tonight against an inferior Tennessee front line.

- Peyton Manning and Penny Hardaway, what awe striking star-power....


1st Half

- Why don't they just call CDR the forward he is?

- Tennessee wins the tip..

- Tyler Smith picks up the quick foul only 10 seconds in.

- Split them 1-0 Tennessee.

- Three for JaJuan to make 4-0 as Memphis calls a timeout already...

Quick Note: I'll be referring to all of the Vols Smith's by their first name's. Much easier to follow that way.

- Three for Derrick Rose 4-3 Vols.

- JaJuan again from WAYY out.

- Rose hits another three and Ramar comes right back with a deuce to make it 9-6 Vols.

- Another Memphis three, its Anderson this time. Tied at 9.

- Ramar with a smooth finger roll to put the Vols back up 2.

- Some sloppy play by both squads before Dozier gets fouled.

- OMG! Dozier(sp?) made a free throw! Make that two free throws.

- Vols turn it over immediately and Dorsey gets fouled after an offensive board.

11-11 16:02 to go.

- CDR drops a three of his own.

- Another Vols turnover and Anderson pockets another three for Memphis. So much for my zone suggestion...

- JaJuan drops another trey for the Vols. 17-14 Memphis.

- Taggart of all people hits a three of his own after a few turnovers.

- And the foul for Crews as we hit a break.

20-16 Memphis 12: 51 to go

- Crews hit the free throw out of the commercial.

- Ramar with the foul on Dorsey.

- EA letting us know about Pearl's huddle intensity. Sounds like she can't get enough.

- Allen swats Lofton inside.

- Robinson misses a layup for the Tigers. That one hurts.

- And another commercial.

- Bad turnover for the Vols and Memphis turns it into a deuce.

- Lofton still scoreless as he clangs one off the iron.

- Ramar briks the layup but Chism puts it in. 23-19 Memphis.

- Tyler Smith with the teardrop, but CDR answer with a trey.

- Ramar with the bucket and the call. He finishes it with the freebie.

- Judgment week? Really?

- Another Memphis three as Robinson hits it.

- Lofton and Prince both two fouls all of a sudden as Prince is called for the charge.

- Rose with a sick crossover, but he missed the finish.

29-24 Memphis with 6:36 left in the half.

- The floor was stormed in Stillwater today, just in case you didn't know.

- Lofton still scoreless reenters the game.

- Tigers getting a bit three-happy here, but Rose puts back the offensive board.

- Tyler answer with a deuce of his own.

- Howell bricks the WIDE open three as we're briefed of ABC's NBA slate tomorrow.

- Dorsey hits the pine with his 2nd foul. This is Tennessee's chance to make a run.

31-26 with 3:37 to go in the half.

- Do you figure people will actually go see "College Road Trip"?

- More Memphis missed free throws out of the break.

- If it were possible you'd almost argue fouling Memphis every possestion is the key to beating them. Oh wait, CDR just made one.

- Lofton finally scores as he nets one out of one at the charity stripe.

- Allen travels to give it right back to the Vols.

- Chism drops a three to pull the Vols within three.

- Tyler Smith hits a pair of free throws to pull the Vols within one.

- Rose drops another one from outside.

- Chism answers with a tough layup inside to keep the lead at one.

- That'll end the half after a couple of missed three's for each team.

Memphis leads 35-34 at the break and Chris Lofton has only ONE point. See you in a new thread in a few.