It was mostly a bad day yesterday for Memphis sports.
The one bright spot was Memphis 901 FC, who defeated Detroit City FC 3-1 to advance to the second round of the USL playoffs. This was the first playoff win in 901 FC history. The next playoff match is Saturday, October 29 at 7:30 PM, against an opponent to be determined as the conference quarterfinals wrap up today.
That match time has the potential to mess up a lot of people’s Halloween party plans. It’s a high-class problem to have, though.
I didn’t get to see last night’s Grizzlies game vs. Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, but I hear they played like absolute doo doo. A friend of mine checked his phone for updates. “The Grizzlies scored 38 points in the first half,” he told me.
“You mean the first quarter?” I replied.
“No,” he said. “First HALF.” The Grizzlies went on to lose 137-96. They’re back home on Monday vs. Brooklyn.
Then there was Memphis Tigers football, which trailed 25 Tulane by 35 at the half. They came back to sort of make a game of it, outscoring Tulane 28-3 in the second half. But the final was still 38-28 Tulane and a loss is still a loss. It’s a shame because Memphis had a chance to earn a statement win against a ranked team.
Are the Tigers going to make it to a bowl game this year? In most cases, a team needs to have a non-losing record (so at least 6-6) to be invited to one. The Tigers are currently 4-4 with 4 games left and let’s see what ESPN FPI predicts for them:
- Saturday, October 29: A badly-needed bye week
- Saturday, November 5 vs. UCF: Tigers are 41% underdogs
- Thursday, November 10 vs. Tulsa (on ESPN): Tigers are 75% favorites
- Saturday, November 19 vs. North Alabama: Tigers are 99% favorites
- Saturday, November 26 at SMU: Tigers are 37% underdogs
So if ESPN FPI turns out to be an accurate predictor of game results, the Tigers will make it to 6-6 and be bowl-bound (thank you, North Alabama). However, it won’t be a good bowl on December 28ish vs. an SEC or Big 12 school. It’ll be something like the Dilbo’s Washing Machine Parts Bowl on December 17 vs. Western Coastal A&M.
But enough grousing about Saturday’s Memphis misfortunes on the field and on the court. As Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E would say, it’s a new day! The basketball Memphis Tigers hit the court at 4 PM today for an exhibition game against Christian Brothers University. The game won’t be televised but you can hear it on 98.9 FM.
On to non-sports news… I haven’t been down to South Main lately, but I hear there’s a new awning on the location that used to be Pontotoc Lounge that reads “IBIS.” I did a search and found the website. So far there’s not much there; they mention dinner and drink menus but they aren’t linked.
Congrats to my friends on the New Wing Order team on their 2nd-place showing in the International Hot Wing Festival yesterday. Downtowners, don’t forget that you can get their award-winning wings at the Ghost River taproom on Beale.
There’s rain and a severe weather risk in Tuesday’s forecast.
The Flying Saucer will have Adam Sandler trivia Tuesday at 7.
Cars on Main 2022 comes to Court Square Saturday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. 70 cars and a U.S. Army tank will be in the park, and food trucks will be there too. They’ll also be raising money for St. Jude.
Not a Downtown event but worth a Lyft or Uber to Crosstown: Skinny Teaches Bob Ross Terribly in the upstairs of the Hi Tone on Cleveland. From the event listing on Facebook:
This is not a training class. This is like minded individuals doing dumb shit. One night only. Paint, canvas , brushes provided. Special menu and drinks.
Purchase Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/s/38198774
Big Cypress Lodge, the hotel inside Bass Pro at the Pyramid, is having a Halloween costume party on its Mississippi Terrace Friday night. DJ Snow will perform and there will be food, drinks, and costume contests with prizes. $15 cover, unless you’re a hotel guest, in which case you get in free. This event is 21 and up.
Memphis Mom Collective is hosting a Trunk or Treat at Edge Triangle Saturday from 2 to 5. Come dressed in your costumes. There will be food trucks, Killer Coffee coffee pop, a photo booth, and a DJ playing spooky music. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite trunk. Stay for a 5:30 showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
There’s a security guard position available at a Downtown facility.
I led off at Bardog yesterday. It was a weird day, sort of. Two large groups showed up to watch football, a Clemson group who went downstairs and an Ohio State group who took the upstairs tables along the wall.
I talked to several of the Clemson group and they were very nice. I have to say, they raised my opinion of the school considerably. Previously, I had a low opinion of that university, but it was based on a VERY small sample size of fans/alumni of that school I knew. Go Tigers!
There were hardly any regulars there, though, and oddly, two hours went by without anyone requesting a game to be put on the front TV. I got bored and tabbed out about 1:30, and if you know me, you know that is a very early Saturday departure time for me.
Outta here for now. I may take tomorrow off from posting since I did two long posts this weekend.