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When potential greatness follows you, everybody spends their free time trying to find your flaws. Just ask the 2008 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team.

The John Calipari led Tigers entered the 2008 season with high hopes. After being eliminated in the elite 8 the previous two seasons, the expectations in Memphis were that this team would be the one to break through to the Final Four. Experts, however, had doubts that a team playing in the mid-major Conference U.S.A. could break through the powerhouse conferences.

Calipari, who silenced such critics when he led the University of Massachusetts to the Final Four in 1996, knew he had a team that was capable of something truly special. Led by Freshman phenom Derrick Rose, the Tigers raced out to a 26-0 record and a number one ranking in the country before falling to in-state rival Tennessee. It would be the only game Memphis would lose going into the tournament.

The Tigers, who were ranked number two in the country at the time of selection, received the number one seed in the south bracket. The top-billing was well deserved, but upon further review, the draw the Tigers received appeared to be a bit of a back-handed gift. If the brackets were to fall as the seeding suggested, the Tigers would be forced to play The University of Texas in Houston for the right to go to the Final Four. This would essentially create a home court advantage for the Longhorns.

On top of the alleged slight by the selection committee, critics continued to find flaws with the Tigers, despite their sterling record. Many felt that between the weak conference competition and the team's track record of poor free throw shooting (59.6% on the season) would sink the Tigers before a meeting with Texas would ever take place.

Once again, Memphis has responded with three convincing victories over Texas-Arlington (87-63), Mississippi State (77-74), and perennial power Michigan State (95-74) to force their "away game" against Texas.

The critics have their lap-tops out and the pens at the ready to remind John Calipari and the Tigers that "they told them so" weeks ago.

Derrick Rose and company, however, are merely three games away from keeping those pens unused and those lap-tops completely charged. It isn't unfamiliar territory for them. The Tigers have been doing it all season.

Learn more about this author, Joe Jenkins.
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