Tigers take on Magicians in exhibition tonight

The wait is finally over.

After months of watching first-year coach Josh Pastner assemble different pieces for 2009-2010, Tigers fans will have the chance to see the finished product tonight when The University of Memphis plays LeMoyne-Owen College in an exhibition contest at FedEx Forum.

The last time The U of M faced the Magicians in an exhibition game was the 2006-07 season, and the Tigers won by a score of 113-63. Back then, the Tigers were led by Joey Dorsey's 22 points, and The U of M was ranked No. 14 in the country.

Although exhibition games in the past have often resulted in easy victories for The U of M, Pastner isn't chalking up any wins until his team actually earns them.

"They're going to play hard," Pastner said of LeMoyne-Owen. "We're going to have to be prepared to play. This isn't going to be a cakewalk."

With just eight scholarship players on the roster, Pastner said, each contest on the schedule has to be taken as serious as the next.

"We're preparing for LeMoyne-Owen like we would prepare against Jackson State or Syracuse or Tulsa or the Memphis Grizzlies," Pastner said. "We're preparing the same way for every game."

The U of M spent Monday's practice reviewing game film of the Magicians and working on their zone sets. Although they prepared for tonight's match-up as they normally would, the fact that it's just an exhibition is fresh in their minds.

"We'll be able to do some things with different lineups that we haven't been able to do at practice," Pastner said. "This will give us an opportunity to try different lineups and see how it works."

Some of these experiments include using big men Will Coleman and Pierre Henderson-Niles at the same time or going small and sliding guards Doneal Mack, Elliot Williams or Wesley Witherspoon in at power forward.

"As far as the rotation, coach is trying a lot of things," Mack said. "(Going small) might be a disadvantage on defense, but it's an advantage on offense having so many people in there that can shoot."

Sophomore guard Williams said their shooting ability is one of the team's best strengths.

"We're a very good shooting team," he said. "We've been shooting the ball very well these past few practices. We work hard, and we're very quick at all positions."

Mack said lineup experiments will not be the only different thing fans will see this season. They've also had to adjust to a brand new coaching staff and new philosophies on the bench.

"Last year's staff, having Cal, the only way we came out of the game is if we were getting yelled at," the 6-foot-5 senior said. "I feel like (this coaching staff) is going to be a good reinforcement. Even though you're getting pulled out of the game, you have somebody talking to you and being understanding in your ear."

With such a lack of scholarship players, Pastner said he would rather focus on helping his players get better and is making the most of the people he does have.

"I want to be able to have enough guys on the team so we can continuously press the entire time and absolutely just wear people down over and over and put maximum pressure on the other team" he said. "But we don't have the depth to do that. We don't have the experience to do that."

The lack of depth will be a key issue, Pastner said, because inexperienced players are going to be asked to step in and contribute immediately.

"Guys that are going from role players or just spot minute guys are going to have to produce at such a high rate and at such a high level, night in and night out, for us to win," he said.

Another aspect the team has been focusing on in practice is rebounding.

With just two truly big men - Coleman and Henderson-Niles - Pastner is relying on his guards to hit the glass just as hard and come up with key rebounds.

Although he hasn't named a starting lineup yet, Pastner said he will determine who gets the start based on rebounding ability and who controls the glass best.

"Everything we're doing is in preparation for Jackson State," he said. "That is the most important game on our schedule right now."

As far as butterflies in being a head coach in his first collegiate game?

"I'm excited. My dad's coming, my mom's coming, my wife will be able to see me coach on the sidelines," Pastner said. "But once the ball is tipped, my focus is on the game."

Tip-off against LeMoyne-Owen College is scheduled for 7 p.m. at FedEx Forum.