Tigers sign two for future, now focus on present
By: Megan Harris
Issue date: 11/14/09 Section: Sports
The University of Memphis received two National Letters of Intent yesterday from local high school seniors Joe Jackson and Chris Crawford, starting off what first-year coach Josh Pastner called a "stellar recruiting class."
"Having Crawford and Jackson is humongous for this program," Pastner said. "They've grown up loving Tiger basketball, and we're excited to have them. I think for the community - and this is their team - to have somebody locally in Chris and Joe is really cool."
Jackson and Crawford have been on Pastner's short list of prospects since he took over last April.
Jackson, a 5-foot-11 point guard for White Station, is rated the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation, while Crawford, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard for Sheffield, is the No. 66 overall player nationally, both according to rivals.com.
Although Pastner could not comment on unsigned recruits, the Barton brothers - Will and Antonio - are also expected to sign within the next few days. After verbally committing to The U of M, Will, the No. 11 overall player in the country, and Antonio, a three-star point guard, will likely suit up for the Tigers next season.
With good news at their heels, Pastner and the Tigers can now look ahead to Friday's season-opener against Jackson State.
Already pegged to win the Southwest Athletic Conference in 2009-10, the JSU Tigers are coming off an 18-15 season, and return three starters to their lineup.
Pastner said Friday's game is what he's been preparing for all off-season.
"We've been stressing about Jackson State since August 31," Pastner said. "For us to win any game, we have to have near-perfect nights."
And perfect nights don't include the slow starts seen at the Tigers' two exhibition games thus far, he added.
Senior guard Doneal Mack, who played his first game with The U of M three years ago against JSU, said he expects a dogfight.
"They're a veteran team, so I know it's not going to be an easy game," he said. "They'll come out fighting, and we want to come out and get our guys fighting, too."
"Having Crawford and Jackson is humongous for this program," Pastner said. "They've grown up loving Tiger basketball, and we're excited to have them. I think for the community - and this is their team - to have somebody locally in Chris and Joe is really cool."
Jackson and Crawford have been on Pastner's short list of prospects since he took over last April.
Jackson, a 5-foot-11 point guard for White Station, is rated the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation, while Crawford, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard for Sheffield, is the No. 66 overall player nationally, both according to rivals.com.
Although Pastner could not comment on unsigned recruits, the Barton brothers - Will and Antonio - are also expected to sign within the next few days. After verbally committing to The U of M, Will, the No. 11 overall player in the country, and Antonio, a three-star point guard, will likely suit up for the Tigers next season.
With good news at their heels, Pastner and the Tigers can now look ahead to Friday's season-opener against Jackson State.
Already pegged to win the Southwest Athletic Conference in 2009-10, the JSU Tigers are coming off an 18-15 season, and return three starters to their lineup.
Pastner said Friday's game is what he's been preparing for all off-season.
"We've been stressing about Jackson State since August 31," Pastner said. "For us to win any game, we have to have near-perfect nights."
And perfect nights don't include the slow starts seen at the Tigers' two exhibition games thus far, he added.
Senior guard Doneal Mack, who played his first game with The U of M three years ago against JSU, said he expects a dogfight.
"They're a veteran team, so I know it's not going to be an easy game," he said. "They'll come out fighting, and we want to come out and get our guys fighting, too."