MEMPHIS, Tenn. — East Carolina has traded its familiar routine for national TV exposure.
The Pirates visit Memphis on Tuesday night, then won't play again until Nov. 5, when they host No. 5 Virginia Tech. Ten days later, it's a Sunday night game at Tulsa on Nov. 15.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz says he loves being the only game on TV, exposure a team can't get playing Saturday.
"I love the exposure," East Carolina coach Skip Holtz said of being the only game on TV. "That's an exposure that you can't get on Saturday."
Memphis (2-5, 1-3 Conference USA) is coming off of a 36-16 loss to Southern Miss in which the Tigers had 11 penalties for 105 yards, allowed a punt return for a touchdown and a 78-yard kickoff return.
The Pirates (5-3, 3-1) have won three straight in this series against Memphis.
"I think East Carolina probably does the best job in the league of making you beat them," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "They don't beat themselves. They won't make errors and beat themselves. They'll be solid, and they'll be sound in what they do. So we'll have to be the same way. It's the same thing we try to be."
Facing a Memphis defense that ranks 106th in the nation and allows 186.7 yards rushing per game, Holtz said his offensive line's ability to create holes and move the chains could be the key for the Pirates to put points on the scoreboard.
Running back Dominique Lindsay, however, hurt his left ankle in East Carolina's 49-13 win over Rice on Oct. 17 and could be limited if available.
Memphis knows the value of a healthy running back. The Tigers have gotten a boost since Curtis Steele returned from injury two games ago, running for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
Steele should help to take pressure off Memphis senior Will Hudgens, the third quarterback the Tigers have used this season. West tabbed senior Arkelon Hall as the starter in spring practice, then switched to sophomore Tyler Bass after a 0-2 start. When Bass injured his non-throwing shoulder two games ago, Hudgens got the nod.
Holtz said his team must keep an eye on the Tigers' senior receivers — 6-foot-4 Duke Calhoun and 6-9 Carlos Singleton. The duo ranks sixth and 18th nationally in active career receiving yards.
"That 6-foot-9 is nearly a foot advantage over some of our corners," Holtz said.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Iverson tweets he's going to Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Allen Iverson will be a fan attraction for the Memphis Grizzlies — from the very beginning.
The Grizzlies confirmed Wednesday they have agreed in principle to a contract with Iverson, hours after the guard tweeted he was heading to Memphis. And the team scheduled a Thursday news conference open to the public at FedExForum.
Iverson would become the highest profile player ever to put on a Grizzlies' uniform.
"We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants Iverson to provide a big-name attraction for a team that struggled to attract fans to the plush FedExForum to watch a young team rebuilding through the draft.
Iverson, the first overall draft pick in 1996 and the league MVP in 2001, can provide valuable minutes and scoring off the bench needed by a franchise that went 24-58 and tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA last season.
The 34-year-old free agent said on his Twitter feed that he met Monday with Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins in Atlanta.
"I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them," Iverson tweeted.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to messages to his cell, office or from e-mail from The Associated Press.
Iverson tweeted earlier Wednesday that "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career."
Memphis would be the fourth team for Iverson after starting his career in Philadelphia and playing for Denver and Detroit. He has averaged 27.1 points per game through his 13 NBA seasons, but his production dropped to 17.4 points per game in his 54 games after being traded by Denver to Detroit during last season.
Source
The Grizzlies confirmed Wednesday they have agreed in principle to a contract with Iverson, hours after the guard tweeted he was heading to Memphis. And the team scheduled a Thursday news conference open to the public at FedExForum.
Iverson would become the highest profile player ever to put on a Grizzlies' uniform.
"We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants Iverson to provide a big-name attraction for a team that struggled to attract fans to the plush FedExForum to watch a young team rebuilding through the draft.
Iverson, the first overall draft pick in 1996 and the league MVP in 2001, can provide valuable minutes and scoring off the bench needed by a franchise that went 24-58 and tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA last season.
The 34-year-old free agent said on his Twitter feed that he met Monday with Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins in Atlanta.
"I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them," Iverson tweeted.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to messages to his cell, office or from e-mail from The Associated Press.
Iverson tweeted earlier Wednesday that "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career."
Memphis would be the fourth team for Iverson after starting his career in Philadelphia and playing for Denver and Detroit. He has averaged 27.1 points per game through his 13 NBA seasons, but his production dropped to 17.4 points per game in his 54 games after being traded by Denver to Detroit during last season.
Source
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)