The Tigers pounced early and often, and all those flaws critics have been pointing out since the NCAA tourney began were nowhere to be seen, the Commercial Appeal reports. Memphis put on a clinic last night, breaking the game open 50-20 by the end of the first half, en route to a 92-74 demolishing of Michigan State. With the win, The Tigers earned their third straight appearance in the Elite Eight.
The fifth-seeded Spartans managed a mere 39.1 percent from the field, and were held scoreless for the final six minutes of the first half. Top scorers Drew Neitzel and Raymar Morgan managed just three and seven points respectively, while the first-seeded Tigers' freshman phenom Derrick rose posted a career-best 27 points, bolstered by junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts' 25. (More March Madness stories.)