{"id":3138,"date":"2009-02-08T10:24:02","date_gmt":"2009-02-08T16:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/?p=3138"},"modified":"2009-02-08T10:24:02","modified_gmt":"2009-02-08T16:24:02","slug":"how-bout-them-tigers-plus-fedexforum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/2009\/02\/08\/how-bout-them-tigers-plus-fedexforum\/","title":{"rendered":"How ’bout them TIGERS!!! Plus: FedExForum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last night the #14\/15 Memphis Tigers<\/a> played like the team that took us all the way to the national championship game last year.\u00a0 We went on the road for a game against a highly regarded school, Gonzaga, and when I checked the predictions on Yahoo! Sports they had Gonzaga by 4 1\/2 to 5 points.\u00a0 Instead we blew them away, leading by 17 at the half and by 26 at one point early in the second half.\u00a0 The Zags attempted a late run but the lead was insurmountable.\u00a0 It reminded me of the Memphis-Michigan State game in last year’s tournament, when a lot of people said the Spartans would take us out, and by halftime we were up 50-20.<\/p>\n

As long as we continue to sweep our conference, we’re probably looking at a Top 10 ranking in both polls by the end of the season (and it’s possible we’ll get there Monday).\u00a0 I think last night proved that we’re worthy of a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament.<\/p>\n

Great article in today’s paper about the hard-working people at the FedExForum<\/a>.\u00a0 Not only have they stepped up their event schedule since opening five years ago, but they’ve also dramatically increased attendance at returning events like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra show.\u00a0 Last week they had 3 sellouts in 3 days, and there was a 24-hour period where they had to turn the arena three times – a Friday night AC\/DC concert, a Saturday noon Tiger game, and a Saturday night Grizzlies game.\u00a0 Glad to see the people at the Forum finally getting the recognition they deserve.<\/p>\n

Anyone who thinks Downtown is hurting because of economic conditions should’ve been out at our locals’ bars last night.\u00a0 First I went to the Silly Goose to watch the game, and by the time I left around 11 the place was packed.\u00a0 Then I wandered down to Bardog Tavern and it was packed as well.\u00a0 Great to see it.<\/p>\n

Off to brunch at the Majestic, then on to the Saucer.\u00a0 I’m taking the laptop with me, because I plan on making some updates to our BBQ team website later today.\u00a0 It’s Sunday Fun Day!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"