The Ocho Preview Tres: Memphis - Texas

By Will Brinson
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There’s just something a little off about John Calipari and Memphis. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but I get roughly the same look on my face as Chris Douglas-Roberts when I think about needing Memphis to win to take home bracket money.
Is it the free throws? Perhaps. Is it the Conference USA factor? Could be. Or maybe it’s just the ridiculously awkward manner in which Calipari is draped all over an uncomfortable looking CDR above. Rick Barnes wouldn’t pull that on D.J. Augustin. Maybe Kevin Durant though.
And that’s the thing that is obviously shocking about how this Texas team has played this year; they’re doing it without KD. Texas also seems to be flying under the radar, as much as you can in the Elite Eight; no one wanted to argue that they deserved a one seed and all the Big 12 love was given to conference champ Kansas. But make no mistake - they spanked a very good Stanford team, and are just kind of quietly going about their business.
Memphis bounced back from a sketchy win in the second round over Mississippi State that had people wondering if they were legit only to throttle the tar out of Michigan State and nearly hold Drew Neitzel scoreless. So we don’t know what to expect. We do know that Derrick Rose and CDR are beasty as all get out, but you can say the same thing about Augustin and A.J. Abrams.
In other words, this is going to be a fun game, with plenty of offense. Lots of good guard play as well. In the end though, I think Texas (+3.5) comes through, 78-75.
At least we have to hope so, less Clark Kellogg accurately predict all No. 1 seeds make the Final Four. Armageddon’s no fun for anyone. ↵