Memphis builds its own doom, brick by brick

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Following what was a pedantic and predictable non-tremor inducing regional, I leave you with this thought: Memphis is the most flawed No. 1 seed in the tournament. They might be the most flawed top seed in many years.

That thud you just heard was Memphis demonstrating the fine art of stonemasonry while shooting its free throws.

That's right, Coach C. You should be worried about your team's flaws after this game. (US Presswire)

Memphis, the construction guild called, they want their concrete back.

The bottom line from Memphis' near death experience is the Bulldogs demonstrated what I have been saying about Memphis since the NCAA tournament began -- Memphis is ripe to be had.

They may yet win everything because of sheer firepower. In some cases, they're the U.S. Army and opponents are Grenada. They have enough game, guns and elevation to inflict damage to both backboards and frontcourts.

But Memphis is nothing more than streetballers. They're AND 1. They're rock stars, the Britney Spears of college basketball. The Tigers will sell out arenas and sell a lot of records but it remains to be seen if they can win a Grammy.

There is no display of team ball like UCLA or North Carolina or even Texas. They couldn't care less about making free throws.

All John Calipari does is roll the basketball onto the floor and his players shoot 3s and dunk and brick their free throws.

Yet make them adjust and run an actual offense and they can't do it.

The Tigers have accumulated a gaudy record because of the sheer force of the athleticism of their players. Calipari has assembled a group of superhuman trapeze artists.

But not a true basketball team.

This could not be more evident than their 77-74 victory over Mississippi State which propelled the Tigers into the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs played smart, controlled the basketball early, frustrating Memphis into turnovers and bad shots. With eight minutes left in the first half Mississippi State led 18-12.

The Bulldogs utilized a suffocating defense forcing Memphis further and further away from the basket, making them shoot long, bad shots. The Bulldogs also prevented Memphis from getting fast breaks and dunks. With about three minutes left in the first half, it was still close with the Tigers grabbing a two-point lead.