TOPIC: NEWS

Memphis Basketball Not So Bad After All?

When Dribble-Drive guru John Calipari high-tailed it to Kentucky, the jilted Memphis program was pretty much left for dead -- even on this very site. The new coach was fresh-faced Josh Pastner, an assistant under Calipari, but a first-time head coach who had a passing resemblence to an almost-grown Bobby Brady, and was throwing around phrases like "underneath the radar," "underdogs," and "no expectations" -- battle cry rhetoric if I've ever heard it...

Josh Pastner, via CollegeHoopsVideo.com

"One day, I'll be the head coach of the Memphis Tigers," he seemed to say... 

Pastner and his squad were thrown into the deep end right away, having to play the #1 Kansas Jayhawks in just their second game of the season. The matchup was scheduled before Memphis' summer of discontent, and was supposed to be a showdown between the preseason #1 and #2. But, of course, things did not quite work out so well on Memphis' end, and the matchup between the unranked team going up against the consensus #1 looked like just another early-season blowout.

Well, games are played on the court, as they say, not on paper. And Memphis came to play: they showed their mettle and hung tough, taking the game to the final shot, which Memphis missed. But giving the #1 team in the country a run for their money and coming up one basket short (57-55), if nothing else, put the nation on alert. Memphis isn't rolling over this season, and the Tigers are still a team to be reckoned with.

Memphis proved they can still run with the best team in the country. (Photo: Mark Webber, via commercialappeal.com)

Memphis' Elliot Williams (middle) falls to ground after missing a last-second 3-point shot that would have won it. (Photo: Mark Webber, via commercialappeal.com)

As for Coach Pastner? Well, overnight, he's gone from boy scout to "Boy Wonder." It's not going to be easy for Pastner and co., but Conference USA still goes through Memphis, it seems, and if Memphis can make it to the Dance, who knows? March Madness wasn't named for its predictability.

Pastner, looking Boy Wonder-y. (Getty)

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France Cheats On Way To World Cup?

At times it feels soccer can unite or divide the world, more than politics or oil. (Remember when we reviewed author Franklin Foer's book "How Soccer Explains The World? It's a powerful sport...) Take France's World Cup saga - which is causing outrage across the soccer world. Ireland was eliminated from World Cup contention after France escaped with a 1-1 draw, and a 2-1 aggregate win against Ireland in Paris. But it is that final goal that is making waves, as French striker Thierry Henry clearly batted the ball down with his hand before passing to teammate William Gallas for the deciding goal.

He was also offside, but that seems besides the point.

Refs? Where were you?

French striker Henry has always been a good ballhandler. Zip!

Who thinks it was a handball?

"I will be honest, it was a handball," said striker Henry, "but I'm not the ref."

So... I guess that settles that.

Ireland has filed a protest, and is hoping to replay the game. God-speed Football Association of Ireland. But for now, the field for the 2010 World Cup is set. Apparently, the US qualified in October. Nobody tells me anything...

We'll see you in South Africa!

QUALIFIERS

Asian Football Confederation

  • Australia

  • Japan

  • Korea DPR

  • Korea Republic
  • Confederation of African Football

  • Algeria

  • Cameroon

  • Côte d'Ivoire

  • Ghana

  • Nigeria

  • South Africa (hosts)
  • Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football

  • Honduras

  • Mexico

  • United States
  • South American Football Confederation (Conmebol)

  • Argentina

  • Brazil

  • Chile

  • Paraguay

  • Uruguay
  • Oceania Football Confederation

  • New Zealand
  • Union of European Football Associations (Uefa)

  • Denmark

  • England

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Italy

  • Netherlands

  • Portugal

  • Serbia

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Spain

  • Switzerland
  •  

     
     
     

    Sports: Miami Coach Gets Chippy With Reporter

    Miami of Ohio was walking into a buzzsaw in their game against #4 Kentucky with their Coach Cal and their John Wall and their this and their that... But lo and behold, mighty Kentucky was down 18 points in the first half and looking stunned by Miami's long range prowess. But, as good teams often do, Kentucky battled back and, long story short, superstar recruit John Wall won the game with a last second jump shot.

    After the game, Miami coach Charlie Coles was asked by a reporter how he let the game "get away from him."

    Your toughts, Coach?

    Kids, remember: The press conference meltdown is the reason why, in sports, the fun often begins after the game ends. Write that down. "You play to win the game!"

    And how can we have a coach's meltdown post without the incomparable Bob Knight:

    NEXT POST: What Animal Disguise Is It?

     
     
     

    Women's Soccer Gets Rowdy, Elizabeth Lambert Has Pull

    • Posted on: Tuesday November 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    AP/YouTube (See what I did there?) Alright, I'm caving. This video has become a national news story here in the U.S., and given this site's international readership, I am compelled to ask what you all think of New Mexico defender #15. Full dis...

    Joe Girardi Yankee Manager Makes A Fashion Statement

    • Posted on: Thursday November 12, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    Joe Girardi, the manager of World Series Champion New York Yankees, has been sporting some interesting gear this postseason: Braces! Joe Girardi flashes a grin. (Getty) Seems Joe made a promise to his five-year-old daughter, who was afraid of ...

    Yankees Win World Series

    • Posted on: Monday November 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    The New York Yankees opened the old Yankee Stadium in 1923 and promptly won the World Series. They opened the new Yankee Stadium this season, and wouldn't you know it? They promptly won the World Series, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. The...

    College Basketball Preview

    • Posted on: Monday November 9, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    Is it me, or does it seem like college basketball has become a bit top-heavy -- with 3 of the last 6 preseason number ones going on to win championships: the 2003-04 UConn Huskies, the 2006-07 Florida Gators, and last year's North Carolina Tar Hee...

    Book Browse: How Soccer Explains The World: An {Unlikely} Theory of Globalization

    • Posted on: Thursday November 5, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    Obama is a known Chicago White Sox fan. George W. Bush was once part owner of the Texas Rangers. Imagine, for a minute, a world in which the White Sox subsequently come to represent the Left Wing Democratic ideals and agenda, while the Rangers and...

    "Think Before You Ink"

    • Posted on: Thursday October 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    Josh Haden vs. Northeastern, Sept. 2009 (Elsa / Getty Images) In just his second season, Boston College running back Josh Haden announced that he will be transferring to another school. Some are saying this decision is a bit rash. As a BC alum,...

    Sports Sunday: Nine-Year-Old Scores Amazing Goal

    • Posted on: Sunday October 25, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    His name is Oliver Wahlstrom and he's nine years old. I don't quite understand the physics of what happens in this clip, but then again, neither does the poor goalie, who was clearly overmatched. "Your heart has to go out to the goalie,...

     

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    France Cheats On Way To World Cup?

    “Another "Hand of God", the touched ones Maradonna & Henry :P @ Games & Love everything could happen :D See u!!!”

    - Vane

    France Cheats On Way To World Cup?

    “Such a cheater! Well that's expected from an ex-Arse player! "I will be honest, it was a handball," said striker Henry, "but I'm not the ref." ^ doesn't justify what you did just by admitting to it. If you're a decent player you'll stop the play and have the goal disallowed. Ireland deserved to go through, outplaying France the whole match! I really hope France will get knocked out in the first round!”

    - d_an0nymouz

    Women's Soccer Gets Rowdy, Elizabeth Lambert Has Pull

    “haha !!send it to american funniest video...”

    - shaykaz

    Women's Soccer Gets Rowdy, Elizabeth Lambert Has Pull

    “Woman has issues! Maybe I should start playing soccer. lol ”

    - chilly305

    Women's Soccer Gets Rowdy, Elizabeth Lambert Has Pull

    “Esa chica si que no sabe jugar limpioo!!!!... como va a golpear a las demas asii???? nonono se fue al carajooooooooo!!!!!”

    - romina