SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000

A six-game winning streak near the end of last season was enough to give Memphis fans hope. But it was an off-season move that quickly elevated that hope into expectation.

Two days after the Tigers' 15-16 season ended, former University of Massachusetts and New Jersey Nets coach John Calipari was hired to guide the Tigers out of Conference USA mediocrity.

Calipari, who led UMass to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances (including the 1996 Final Four) and took the Nets to the 1998 playoffs before being fired last year after a 3-17 start, is charged with reviving the once-proud program. While Calipari said he has talent to work with, he cautioned against expecting too much, too fast.

"This is not going to be easy," Calipari said. "This is not like, 'Let's just waltz to the Final Four.' That's not what happens. This is a challenge, but see, I get excited about these kinds of challenges."

Memphis has had two consecutive losing seasons and faced problems off the court: Days before last season, third-year coach Tic Price resigned after his extramarital affair with a UM student was revealed.

Assistant Johnny Jones took over on an interim basis and won support from many players and boosters, but athletic director R.C. Johnson ultimately chose Calipari for his experience, prior success and name recognition.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Expect Calipari to build the team around junior center Kelly Wise, who was close to Jones but -- along with sophomore point guard Courtney Trask, another Jones supporter -- elected to stay in Memphis.

Wise, named to the All-Conference USA third team after dominating at season's end, averaged 16.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in league games.

Trask was named to the league's all-freshman team after averaging 9.4 points and 4.6 assists. Three other regular starters return, including senior guard Marcus Moody.

Honors candidates

Center Kelly Wise and guard Courtney Trask. Wise shined in C-USA play as a sophomore, averaging 16.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks to earn third-team all-conference honors. Trask was named to the All-Freshman team after setting a league freshman record with 89 assists in league.

Keep an eye on

Senior guard Shyrone Chatman started six of the final seven games of last season, averaging 8.3 points and 3.0 assists during that stretch.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• F Kelly Wise* 6-10, 213, Jr. - Shot 54.2 percent from the floor in C-USA play (14.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.5 blocks)
• G Courtney Trask* 6-3, 174, So. - Led league with 5.9 assists per C-USA game (9.4 ppg, 4.6 apg)
• G Marcus Moody* 6-5, 185, Sr. - Has 131 career steals, 10th all-time at Memphis (10.8 ppg, 2.4 apg)
• G Shyrone Chatman* 6-4, 209, Sr. - Emerged as a defensive force (4.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
• F Shannon Forman* 6-6, 219, Sr. - Started team-high 30 games (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
• C Earl Barron 6-11, 205, So. - Big surprise as a freshman (5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
• F Paris London 6-8, 240, Jr. - Lost 20-plus pounds in offseason
• F John Grice 6-6, 205, Jr. - JC All-American signee

Key losses

• Keiron Shine, G, 5-10, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 1.4 apg)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule