KANSAS AND MEMPHIS - THE ENIGMA OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
by Evan Altemus
Usually a very profitable trend in college basketball is to fade teams that lost several starters from a season ago. This trend is most profitable when these teams are faded on the road and in the NCAA tournament. Kansas and Memphis both lost almost their entire starting line-up from a season ago. However, they have been excellent point spread teams as the season has gone on. Let?s look at this trend more in-depth to see if it will continue.
Kansas started out the season like most people expected. They defeated weaker opponents rather easily at home but struggled against the tougher teams on their schedule. They had an overtime home loss to Syracuse, a letdown loss to Massachusetts, and a blowout loss at Arizona through the first month and a half of the season. They proceeded to get a dominant win against Tennessee, a close win against Siena, and a blowout loss at Michigan State. However, the Jayhawks have surprised everyone with their success once conference play started. They are 11-1 straight up and 10-1-1 against the spread against Big 12 Conference teams this season. Those records are remarkable considering the great deal of youth and inexperience in the starting line-up. Usually young teams have at least a few letdowns on the road, but the Jayhawks have improved dramatically from the start of the season. They could also easily be undefeated in conference play, as they had a tough late game meltdown at Missouri. Their game at Missouri was even more impressive considering the hostile environment and constant pressure of the Tigers defense on their home floor. The only question that remains for Kansas is will they continue their improvement and impressive play in the NCAA tournament? The Jayhawks have an excellent chance at making a deep run in March because of their strong play on the road in conference play and a quality point guard in Sherron Collins.
Memphis has also been a team that has defied expectations this season. They had only one returning starter from last year?s NCAA runner-up team. Robert Dozier is the only player back from last year, so the Tigers dont have any returning backcourt starters. The backcourt is so critical in college basketball, especially the point guard position. Consequently, Memphis really struggled at the start of the season, losing straight up and against the spread to the three toughest teams on their schedule, Georgetown, Xavier, and Syracuse. However, the Tigers have dramatically developed into a better overall team in the last two months. Since their loss to Syracuse, Memphis has gone 18-0 straight up and 13-4 against the spread. Their winning streak has also included two very impressive outright wins at Tennessee and at Gonzaga. The key to the Tigers streak has been their shut down defense. They have one of the top defenses in the country and completely shut down the Volunteers and Bulldogs. Memphis has tremendous size and toughness, despite their youth. This team has the capability of making it at least to the Sweet 16, depending on seeding.
Kansas and Memphis are two teams that have defied expectations this season. They have been consistently improving throughout the season and are going to be dangerous teams in the NCAA tournament. Dont expect their hot streaks to go away anytime soon.