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Memphis looks to dominate C-USA again

Dec 4, 2006 - 3:15 PM Marshall (2-5) at No. 17 Memphis (5-1) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Although it lost two underclassmen to the NBA, Memphis looks like it has the goods to roll through Conference USA yet again.

Chris Douglas-Roberts and the 17th-ranked Tigers look for a strong start to conference play when they host Marshall in the opener on Monday.

Last season, Memphis captured the C-USA regular-season title with a 13-1 mark. However, the team has had to replace both league Player of the Year Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams, who both left school early to became first-round picks in the NBA draft.

Despite those losses, the Tigers (5-1) appear to be in great shape, led by the sophomore guard Douglas-Roberts, who has averaged 14.8 points on 52 percent (32-of-62) shooting. Fellow second-year player Robert Dozier has provided the muscle inside, scoring 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.

That duo leads a well-balanced Memphis squad that has six players that average at least eight points.

Following a 92-85 loss to Georgia Tech in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on November 21, the Tigers have won three straight games, including a 77-59 victory over Manhattan on Saturday. Dozier had 19 points and Douglas-Roberts added 14.

The Thundering Herd (2-5) has been on the other end of the spectrum, losing five of their last six. They are coming off an 84-78 overtime loss at Ohio, in which Marshall rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit.

The team's leading scorer and rebounder, forward Travis Aikens scored 19 points in the latest setback. On the season, the 6-4 senior is averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds.

This will be just the second meeting as C-USA members for the two teams. Last season, Memphis posted a 91-81 victory on the road. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 2-1.