2008 Woodie Awards
Tigers' 08-09 schedule includes national, home games galore
By: Joseph Russel
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Sports
The University of Memphis has finalized the 2008-09 men's basketball schedule, athletic director R.C. Johnson announced late Wednesday afternoon.
"Everywhere I've been recently, fans have been asking about this season's schedule, and I'm excited to get it out there," Johnson said in a statement.
While specific times and television dates are yet to be determined, Tiger fans can be sure to catch their team for a glut of home games at FedEx Forum during the course of the season.
"I also like that we have 18 home games for our fans to watch us play in person at FedExForum," Johnson said. "I know our fans enjoy seeing their Tigers, and we always try to schedule as many home games as possible."
In continuing the trend of the last few years, the Tigers' schedule features several national-level games throughout the year.
"As John (Calipari) likes to do, the schedule has a national feel to it, and I know our fans enjoy those high-profile games," Johnson said.
The U of M will play host to UMass, Syracuse and Cincinnati while going on the road against national-powers Georgetown, Gonzaga and Tennessee.
The Tigers' home schedule begins with their lone exhibition game Nov. 4 against Christian Brothers. The regular season begins Nov. 15 when Fairfield comes to Memphis.
Calipari will face five of his former assistants in 08-09. Memphis will host Derek Kellogg's UMass Minutemen Nov. 17, then Chuck Martin with Marist Dec. 2, Bruiser Flint with Drexel Dec. 22 and Steve Roccaforte with Lamar on Jan. 3. Then Calipari and the Tigers go on the road versus Tony Barbee's UTEP Miners Feb. 21.
The U of M will participate in yet another mid-season tournament when they travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 20-23 for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off. They begin tournament play Nov. 20 against Chattanooga, with the possibility of facing Seton Hall or Southern Cal in the second round. The other bracket includes Virginia Tech, Xavier and Missouri.
After the Tigers get through the first half of their schedule, their quest for another conference crown begins Jan. 7 against Marshall.
The Tigers take a break from C-USA play during January and February, as they face in-state rival Tennessee Jan. 24 in Knoxville, Tenn., and Gonzaga Feb. 7 in Spokane, Wash. ESPN Gameday is scheduled to televise the Memphis-Gonzaga contest.
"Everywhere I've been recently, fans have been asking about this season's schedule, and I'm excited to get it out there," Johnson said in a statement.
While specific times and television dates are yet to be determined, Tiger fans can be sure to catch their team for a glut of home games at FedEx Forum during the course of the season.
"I also like that we have 18 home games for our fans to watch us play in person at FedExForum," Johnson said. "I know our fans enjoy seeing their Tigers, and we always try to schedule as many home games as possible."
In continuing the trend of the last few years, the Tigers' schedule features several national-level games throughout the year.
"As John (Calipari) likes to do, the schedule has a national feel to it, and I know our fans enjoy those high-profile games," Johnson said.
The U of M will play host to UMass, Syracuse and Cincinnati while going on the road against national-powers Georgetown, Gonzaga and Tennessee.
The Tigers' home schedule begins with their lone exhibition game Nov. 4 against Christian Brothers. The regular season begins Nov. 15 when Fairfield comes to Memphis.
Calipari will face five of his former assistants in 08-09. Memphis will host Derek Kellogg's UMass Minutemen Nov. 17, then Chuck Martin with Marist Dec. 2, Bruiser Flint with Drexel Dec. 22 and Steve Roccaforte with Lamar on Jan. 3. Then Calipari and the Tigers go on the road versus Tony Barbee's UTEP Miners Feb. 21.
The U of M will participate in yet another mid-season tournament when they travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 20-23 for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off. They begin tournament play Nov. 20 against Chattanooga, with the possibility of facing Seton Hall or Southern Cal in the second round. The other bracket includes Virginia Tech, Xavier and Missouri.
After the Tigers get through the first half of their schedule, their quest for another conference crown begins Jan. 7 against Marshall.
The Tigers take a break from C-USA play during January and February, as they face in-state rival Tennessee Jan. 24 in Knoxville, Tenn., and Gonzaga Feb. 7 in Spokane, Wash. ESPN Gameday is scheduled to televise the Memphis-Gonzaga contest.