Thursday, February 18, 2010
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Thursday, February 18, 2010 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
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Behind The Scoreboard Going in right direction When there is so much going on in the world of sports and athletics at all levels from the ice cold events at the XXI Winter Olympiad in Vancouver, Canada, to the collegiate endeavors which so closely surround us, it is not all that easy to pick a subject for a column like this. Granted, there are some who may not exactly relish this particular offering but methinks it is worthy of hitting upon. During the past week, the University of Memphis Tigers, who just happen to be embroiled in a most important part of their season under rookie coach Josh Pastner, are trying hard to not let the ending efforts be an embarrassment. It was all over the news that Coach Pastner and one of his senior players had obviously reached an impasse. The Wes Unseld-like Pierre Henderson Niles was terminated as a team member. The comparison to the former NBA stalwart Unseld lets one know immediately that Niles was an imposing figure in the paint. The reason for the parting of the ways for coach and player was not clearly explained to the media or the Memphis fans. When pressed, Coach Pastner would only say that Niles was going in one direction and the Tigers in another. This can only mean that the coach surmised that the player’s presence was more of a hindrance than a help. Judging from the way the Tigers handled the Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa on Saturday, the direction in which Pastner is looking is the grabbing of another C-USA title. With that win, the Memphis Tigers are right behind conference-leading University of Texas-El Paso. If Niles’ contribution was missed, it was not immediately apparent. The coach was quick to assert that the athletic department is not going to abandon Niles and his quest for a degree. And speaking of the right direction, the Tiger camp is elated with the progress this season of its ladies. The Memphis Lady Tigers regained their top position in C-USA with the defeat of the Lady Golden Eagles of Southern University of Hattiesburg and former coach Joye Lee McNellis. Can one imagine what a coup that would be if the Tigers and Lady Tigers both won C-USA crowns and ended up in the NCAA playoffs during March Madness? |
     
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