The Tomb of Doom

Like the Fall of ACORN...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:11:00 +0000

Calipari comes clean.

It's ok, Kentucky.

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 02:27:00 +0000

You'd be forfeiting those wins in a couple years anyway.

Bubble Burst.

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Bloop.

On the Bubble!

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:30:00 +0000

The Tigers have clawed their way back in Bracketology. Over at ESPN, Lunardi (with a solid history of predicting the teams who'll be heading to the dance) has included the Tigers as one of his 11 teams to claim one of the bubble spots for the Big Dance! Go Tigers!

Good to Get That Monkey Off Our Back...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:27:00 +0000

Nevermore... The Door.

Stripping to the Truth of College Coaches

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:47:00 +0000

Featuring Benedict Calipari.

Quote of the Week...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Concerning the near upset of Kansas by the Tigers...

"John Calipari's Shermanesque, scorched-Earth policy on Memphis has not rendered the Tigers obsolete."

by Dana O'Neill

We've had out differences in the past, Dana, but kudos here.

Watch.

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:08:00 +0000

The Tigers. ESPN. Now.

Tarik Black!

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:36:00 +0000

The dream continues, Tiger Nation! 6'7, 230 Tarik Black from Ridgeway High School has now signed with the Tigers!

Jelan Kendrick!

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:37:00 +0000

Tombers, welcome the newest Tiger, SF Jelan Kendrick!

Big Time Announcement Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Facts:

The University of Memphis Basketball Program is holding a 6:30pm press conference tonight at the Peabody to announce the signing of a "high level" recruit for the 2010 season.

Rumors:

Just heard that it will be Jelan Kendrick, a 6'6 SF from Marietta, GA. Kendrick is ranked 8th in his class and the #2 SF.

Very unconfirmed rumor that it could be Kendrick AND local talent, Tarik Black, a 6'7 C ranked 47th nationally.

Tonight, It Begins...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:17:00 +0000

The Memphis Tigers will play the first exhibition game of the season tonight against LeMoyne-Owen. Tonight will be an interesting night, as the fans will get the first glimpse of rising star Elliot Williams, while witnessing the first exposure to Josh Pastner's style of coaching and gameplan. Dan Wolken has a good summary of tonight's game here. Support your Tigers! Get to the Forum at 7pm tonight!

Kensucky Basketball...

noreply@blogger.com (Tomb of Doom) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

One of the loyal visitors to the Tomb of Doom fueled some of his off-season angst into this glorious t-shirt representing the future of Kensucky basketball. You can follow this link to purchase one of these clever t-shirts. Tell your friends, child.

The Tomb of Doom and it's affiliates had no part in the creation or selling of this product. This is strictly a fan-produced item and sold exclusively through CustomInk.com.

Crumbling Wall?

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:35:00 +0000

It seems for Coach X it's "New School, Same Story". According to ESPN, Kensucky prize recruit John Wall's amateur status is being called into question. Turns out his former AAU coach is also an agent. Can't say I'm surprised by this.

The Lions Secret Weapon...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:07:00 +0000

Every now and then I see something unrelated to the Tigers that just needs some love.

As I was checking the injury report for my fantasy football team this morning, I was stunned to see how bright the future truly looks for the Detroit Lions.

Close up of the Lions injury report:

I found out that Megatron is a nickname for one of their players. Regardless, it didn't stop me from searching for him among the free agents in my Yahoo league. If only...

Special Guests

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:01:00 +0000

Guests appearing at Madness tonight include:

Allen Iverson
Rudy Gay
Penny Hardaway
Yo Gotti
2010 commitment Will Barton
2010 commitment Antonio Barton
2010 commitment Joe Jackson
2010 commitment Chris Crawford
2010 recruit Jelan Kendrick
2012 recruit Perry Ellis

and there are rumors of an appearance by ANTONIO BURKS!

So close yet so far...

noreply@blogger.com (Grant) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:41:00 +0000

t-minus 2.5 hours and counting till Memphis Madness... remember to keep checking back for updates throughout the evening.

The Dawn of a New Day

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:11:00 +0000

The minute hand has three more revolutions to make before first light, yet the Tomb is abuzz, even at such a rare hour as this, fueled by the anticipation of what the sunrise will bring. At 6:17am, light will start sweeping across Memphis, and, in doing so, symbolically complete the cleansing of a city and of a basketball program. A new day begins for a city now free from the sleazy, for a basketball program now free from the slimy.

It is only fitting that today ushers in a new mayor and a new coach. It's poetic even, given how much Memphis and Tiger Basketball are intertwined. Memphis has given Tiger basketball a brand new Tomb of Doom but also a hungry, tired people, desperately desiring something to rally behind. Tiger basketball has given Memphis national exposure and an economic stimulus but also a source of pride. Both the former mayor and the former coach realized the financial upside of such a symbiotic relationship, but neither appreciated the people's need for truth and unification. Such talk of unification made the previous mayor "sick", and truth, well that was nowhere is the previous coach's vocabulary.

Yet, Memphis overcame. We amassed behind Tiger basketball, not because of the coaches, or the new uniforms, or the records, but because of the guys on the court who inspired us, who allowed us to share in their successes, and support them in their shortcomings. Sure, Memphis has the Grizzlies, the Redbirds, Beale St., the Zoo, Graceland, Sun Studios, even Mud Island, but, besides Christmas, Tiger basketball is the only reason the First Tennessee Bank building turns its colored lights on. What a sense of solidarity and pride to see a "M" and "Go Tigers" spelled out in blue lights on a downtown building! The fact that a corporation would use such effort and resources to show its support, speaks volumes to the power of Tiger basketball.

Now, on this new day, Friday, October 16th, at 7:30pm, the new scope of that power, tried and transformed during the summer, will finally be unveiled to the nation at Memphis Madness. Our Coach Pastner will get to show off all the hard work he has put into revitalizing a team that was utterly decimated over the off-season. He will also show off the four and five star recruits he has lined up for next year. Yes, he has done all of this without ever having coached a game at the college level. We WILL succeed this year, and for many, many years to come.

Finally, Memphis and Tiger basketball can take a step forward, together. And I can think of no better way to celebrate this than a performance by Yo Gotti! Doors open at 7:00, Memphis! Be there!

Memphis Madness Live Blogging!

noreply@blogger.com (Grant) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:16:00 +0000

Although Memphis Madness is free and all you faithful readers would offer up your first born to be at a Tiger Basketball event, we realize that a lot of you won't be there. But have no fear! We will be there. Not only will we be there but we will be blogging live from the event! Check the Tomb of Doom that night for pics, videos, and details from the event AS IT HAPPENS. Oh technology, you crazy thing you.

So if you can't be there or you just wanna look back at the event with fondness when you get home, check out the TOD Friday night!

Ushering in the New Era...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Coming to the Forum this Friday... Your 2009-2010 Memphis Tiger basketball teams! Don't miss Memphis Madness... It's time to get amped for this upcoming season!

4 Star Tiger!

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Chris Crawford has officially chosen Memphis!

4 Star Press Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:07:00 +0000

In just a bit, 5pm local time to be exact, Sheffield High standout, and 4-Star guard, Chris Crawford will announce his college choice to the world. His decision is mostly between the Tigers and the Volunqueers, although he also took a late visit to Mississippi State. Despite not having the Facebook fanfare that JJax created around his announcement, many believe that Crawford will also choose Memphis. So, for those of you counting on your fingers and toes in backwoods eastern Tennessee, Kensucky, and Kansas, that would be 2 5-Stars, 1 4-Star, and 1 3-Star for next season.

Yo, Antonio!

noreply@blogger.com (Pistolier) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Our favorite AA signed with the Charlotte Bobcats today! Granted, its a non-guaranteed contract just for training camp, but who cares... he gets a much deserved shot at an NBA roster. Still, "Bobcats" is the worst NBA team name ever.

In other news, Pietro's Pizza is some of the best ever.

Then There's This...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Concerning Josh Pastner's early recruiting success, RC Johnson says, “I told him [Pastner] the other day, between him, Abraham Lincoln and Vince Lombardi, all three of them are walking on water right now. He’s having unbelievable recruiting success.”

What?!

Look Who Decided to Skip His Afternoon Nap...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Bishop) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:44:00 +0000

It's been a long summer for the Tigers. Our scheming, sell-out of a coach pull the rug out from under us and took our recruits to UK. Our (statistically) best basketball season was officially erased from the incredibly judicious NCAA record books. Due to theft, injuries and an insatiable desire for Asian culture, our current basketball roster has been trimmed to a mere eight scholarship players. Not to mention, our football team has been smoked like a North Memphis lazy afternoon by two of our nearby rivals (unfortunately lacking the euphoric, carefree after-effects).

Yet, sometimes, you must go through a season of tribulation to become stronger and better. Either that or you have an athletic director who fears for his cushy job and decides to make an effort.

RC Johnson has just hired Mike Tranghese, the former Big East Commissioner, to do some consulting for the Memphis Tigers. Johnson proceeds to emerge from his hole and make large claims about how Memphis wants to join the SEC, but that he really just wants to get into a BCS conference.

Wow, RC. You've really stepped your game up. What's gotten into you?
Before Memphis fans get too excited, hear Tranghese loud and clear when he says, “I can’t get people into conferences. That’s not what I do.”

No wonder this guy is such good friends with RC Johnson.

There's a rumor floating around that Memphis and UCF will be joining the Big East in the next six months. Mind you, this rumor started on a Mississippi radio call-in show.

Needless to say, don't expect anything to happen anytime soon. Memphis needs to improve their football facilities before a move is made. Forget about the SEC. There's no chance a thirteenth team will be added and even less of a chance that a third school from the state of Tennessee will be added. The SEC wants to expand its influence. Memphis cannot offer them that. There are as many Tennessee fans in the city of Memphis as Memphis fans (for football, at least), so there is little motivation for the SEC to expand here.

The Big East is pretty full, too. The main rumor flying is that Memphis will replace DePaul in basketball. However, the Big East is already very basketball heavy. They may not want to add another team who can compete for a top spot. They may want to preserve some knockaround teams so the big boys can pad their record.

Regardless, nothing has materialized other than RC putting forward a moderate effort in the PR portion of the athletic department. Does it sound good to consult with the former Big East Commish? Of course. Will it make any difference in the end? Not according to the Big East Commish. Time will tell.

As always, Tiger fans... pray.