On Saturday, the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team bounced back from its blowout loss against UConn. Stephen Curry and his Golden State Warriors’ continued to show why they’re the NBA’s best. Here are my five takeaways from the weekend in sports, including one of the biggest upsets in recent Super Bowl memory.
1. Tigers’ coach Josh Pastner just got over the finish line in its 63-59 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday. After one of its finest first halves of the season, Memphis (14-9, 5-5 AAC) went ice cold in the second half for the second consecutive game as it shot 6-30 from the field. However, Cincinnati could not overcome a 15-point halftime deficit and the Tigers bounced back with its best RPI win of the season, Cincinnati (17-7. 7-4 AAC) is No. 65th in RPI.
2. This Memphis team doesn’t quit. Yes, the Tigers were awful in the second half against the Huskies and the Bearcats, but the team hasn’t thrown in the towel. Everything is still possible for this Tigers team in what will probably be a one-bid league. Especially if freshman forward Dedric Lawson, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Cincinnati, has broken down the freshman wall.
3. Later that night, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors squared off in one of the most anticipated NBA matchups of the season. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 67 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists but the Thunder still lost 116-108, despite off nights from Warriors’ backcourt duo Klay Thompson and Curry as they shot a combined 2-15 from the three-point line. Golden State, which is now 46-4 on the season, has passed virtually every challenge that’s come its way this season. The question now seems to be when the Warriors will tie or break the 95-96 Bulls’ record for most wins in a season (72). The Warriors are that good.
4. Super Bowl 50 on Sunday turned into a defensive battle, and that was bad news for the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton. The Panthers’ offense, which was the highest scoring offense in the NFL in the regular season, managed just 10 points and committed four turnovers in its 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Santa Clara, California. The Panthers, which went 15-1 in the regular season, were huge favorites heading into the game. However, the Broncos’ defense was simply too much on the night.
5. This leads to my final takeaway from this weekend; if you have a great defense in the NFL you most certainly have a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Broncos’ defense, led by Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller, created havoc for virtually all of its opponents this season, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Newton, in its final two playoff games. While he’s no doubt one the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL, it’s interesting to note Peyton Manning’s worst statistical season ended with him winning his second championship. Nevertheless, the 2015 Denver Broncos are another example of how football remains “the ultimate team game.”
After Saturday’s win against Cincinnati, Memphis coach Josh Pastner, once again, avoided his first three-game losing streak as a head coach.
