It is hard to predict where the Memphis Tigers will end up at the end of the season. They will most likely be quite good and find themselves in the NCAA Tournament. But with the lineup that Josh Pastner has assembled, they very well could be one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the nation.
Memphis Tigers roster 2013-14: Perfect blend of veterans and youth
With one of the better recruiting classes of 2013 combining with solid veteran players, the Memphis Tigers should be a force this season.
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The Tigers lost a fair share of key players from last season, but Pastner pulled in a recruiting haul that made every school other than Kansas and Kentucky blush. The Tigers were picked to finish third in the American Athletic Conference behind Louisville and Connecticut. Senior guard Joe Johnson was a unanimous pick to the league’s first team.
Guards
Chris Crawford: The senior guard is one of the most prolific Memphis three-point shooters ever. If he keeps up his pace of 55 made this season, he will end up at No. 4 in three pointers made in the school annals.
Markel Crawford: Crawford was the first of Pastner's hometown recruits to commit to the Tigers in 2013. He is an explosive guard that was more known for his defense in his high school career.
Michael Dixon: Out of all the incoming players, Dixon might be one of the most instrumental for Memphis’s success. The Missouri transfer is one of the best defenders in the country and will see plenty of minutes for the Tigers.
Joe Jackson: Jackson has seen his offensive contributions go up each season he has been with the Tigers, but he might have hit his ceiling last year. This isn’t a bad thing after averaging 13.6 points and 4.8 assists a game. The Tigers will have so many weapons, though, that he might be hard-pressed to find more chances to up his own stats.
Geron Johnson: Johnson is Jackson's partner in crime, and together the two will terrorize most opposing teams throughout the year.
Forwards:
Shaq Goodwin: Goodwin averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a game over 20 minutes in his freshman campaign. He'll pair up with Memphis's two incoming freshman down low to anchor the post.
Kuran Iverson: Iverson, the cousin of former NBA all-star Allen Iverson, was cleared academically to play over the summer and will make a huge impact. The 6'10 forward will have plenty of minutes to make a name for himself.
Nick King: King is the second of Pastner's hometown recruits from the class of 2013. He averaged 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds a game his senior year of high school while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Austin Nichols: After the injury to David Pellom, the five-star recruit will get thrown straight into the lineup this year. He reportedly struggled to keep up with the pace of the game during practices, but then showed improvement in a scrimmage against Baylor.
David Pellom: Pellom transferred from George Washington after graduating last year. He averaged 10.4 points and 6.1 rebounds his junior year, way back in 2011-12. He missed all of last season after having wrist surgery, and will miss the beginning of this season as he recovers from knee surgery. He mayl still prove to be a vital veteran presence on a young frontcourt.
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