Justin Timberlake

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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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!

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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?

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