With December losses to Kansas and Georgetown, the Memphis Tigers may not be as good a team as some which have come before, but at 11-2, they are getting the notice of the pollsters at least, who have installed them at #21 in the national rankings.The Tigers have some good, young talent, including freshman guard Antonio Barton, who pumped in a career-high 24 points as the Tigers outshot Tennessee State Sunday, by a 91-86 score.
Barton, a 6'2" recruit out of Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore, was money from everywhere on the court, hitting 6-of-8 from the field, including 5-of-6 three-pointers. He also made 7-of-9 free throws. Barton has scored in double figures in only five of Memphis' 13 games this season, but if the Tigers' offense can get him open looks, he may emerge as a deadly shooter as teams solidify their lineups heading for the NCAA tournament. He's hitting 53% from the field and 57% from beyond the arc.
