John Calipari; Memphis Coach doesn't feel like his team should not be concerned about their winning streak and that he's certain his team will be defeated before the regular season finish. The Tigers have a new game this coming Wednesday against Houston basically the two top team in the Conference USA.
Currently Memphis has a record of 23-0 and a conference of 9-0. This is the best start in the history of the school and is the single remaining undefeated team in the nation. Memphis also grasps the nation's best home court winning streak with 46 consecutives games. The Tigers have won 42 regular season games in a row and 32 straight games in Conference USA. But Coach Calipari is not using those records to inspire his team.
"My point to them is the only thing we can do with these streaks that we're on is add to them, because they are records," "They're records within our university. They're records within our league. There are no more streaks that we can break. We broke them all. So now it's, `OK, let's get back to business at getting better.'" Calipari said.
The game on Wednesday will be game number four at home for the Tigers. The Tigers haven't lost on their court since 2006 against Texas. If they win this game and the next against Tennessee on Feb. 23, they could become the first team to enter the NCAA tournament undefeated since UNLV in 1990-91.
"If we were to lose, I'd be shocked," said Chris Douglas-Roberts, who leads the team with 16.7 points per game.
Nevertheless, Coach Calipari is certain that his team will be defeated during conference plays before the season finishes. "Every team we play, they make shots they usually don't make, they play faster and more athletic and more aggressive than anybody we play, and it's a challenge. ... That's why I'm saying that we're going to lose a couple of league games. That's what happens."
The Tigers defeated Central Florida on Saturday 85-64. Derrick Rose had a team-high 15 points with 11 3-pointers. Joey Dorsey; on the other hand; had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Robert Dozier returned after a suspension and had 11 points.
"We're raising the stakes as we go forward," Calipari said. "Central Florida's a good team, but when we make 3s we become a tough team to beat."
Memphis has won the last six meetings between the teams since a 66-53 loss at Houston on Feb. 5th, 2005. Both teams are expecting a lot, for one side Memphis is trying to finish unbeaten and on the other Houston is trying to strengthen their chances to reach the NCAA tournament.
