September 11, 2009

John Martin
TigerSportsReport.com Staff Writer

JOE JACKSON: IS HE OR ISN'T HE?

Welcome to the Joe Jackson saga, Memphis.

Memphis Tiger fans went haywire this week when Joe Jackson posted a photo-shopped picture of himself in a Memphis uniform on his Facebook.

Soon after the picture garnered national attention, Jackson took it down and reiterated that he still hadn't reached a decision regarding his college destination.

"(I) had to delete it, it wasn't even up for a whole day and it's 'news'. People made too big of a deal about it. .. I'm not leaving hints. . . I'm not (committed) and (I'm) undecided. I'll make my decision when I'm ready," Jackson posted on his Facebook page.

Apparently, Jackson is ready.

Sources very close to the situation tell TigerSportsReport.com that Jackson will commit to play for the Memphis Tigers tonight, on the eighth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Jackson is confirming that he will spring his announcement tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Larry O. Finch Center. Given the venue, we here at TSR do not feel it irresponsible to say that it should be clear what the decision will be.

The Memphis coaching staff met with Jackson at his home on Wednesday; no word on how the visit went, although sources tell TigerSportsReport.com that it didn't last long.

Given subsequent events, it must have gone swimmingly.

For Tiger fans, that's about the best news the team has had in the last couple of weeks, as Jackson is a five-star recruit.

However, Jackson will not be on the roster until next fall; there is also news about the present Tiger line-up. . .

DREW BARHAM TO BE GRANTED RELEASE FROM SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

In an unexpected (in some circles) turn of events, Southern Illinois announced earlier this week that they would in fact release Drew Barham from his letter of intent on October 15th.

The 6'7" sharp-shooting Barham spurned the Salukis and their scholarship offer earlier this summer to walk-on for his hometown team, but it wasn't certain if he would be eligible to play for the Tigers this year.

Barham expressed his excitement on his Facebook page.

"(I've) had the best day ever....I get released from SIU (on) October 15th, 2009! And (I) will be (eligible) to play for my hometown this season! Thank you Lord."

Although he's a walk-on, Barham is expected to be able to make contributions to the Tigers this season.

His AAU coach, Jonathan Henderson, is a firm believer.

"I think he will be really successful. He works his tail off and he can certainly shoot it. He has a good mid-range game and he understands the game," Henderson said.

"He's an underrated defender. I don't think people recognized what kind of defender he is. He does a good job guarding people. He gets the game."

With the Tigers entering a season in which bodies mean everything, Barham is a pleasant addition to the roster this late in the game.

TIGERS' C-USA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE RELEASED

The Memphis Tigers released their conference schedule on Wednesday and it was revealed that the team will open up conference play January 9th at Southern Mississippi.

The Tigers can tie the all-time conference game winning-streak record January 13th when they take on East Carolina and can break the record January 20th against UTEP. Both games are in Memphis.

The Tigers play league home-and-home series with Houston, SMU, Southern Miss, Tulsa and UAB. Memphis also welcomes UCF to the FedExForum February 10th. The Tigers' C-USA road-only trips are to Rice January 16th, Marshall January 27th and Tulane February 17th.

IMPRESSIONS OF TIGER PLAYERS

As a freshman at the U of M, I have had the privilege of meeting just about every Tiger player at some point in time.

Often, it has been in social settings, such as a gathering (okay, let me be real, a PARTY!). Other times, it has been on campus, between classes; or, perhaps, while trying to wolf down eats at the Tiger Den.

I make it a point not to act like a groupie by monopolizing their time, and I am awaiting clearance from my editor (who is in turn waiting on SID Lamar Chance) before I conduct formal interviews.

However, I just want to comment that Doneal Mack appears to be taking a strong leadership role on this team, which will be welcomed this fall and winter. Mack works out faithfully, and the rest of the guys seem to take their cues from him.

Transfer Drew Barham, the hometown kid trying to make good, is committed to doing whatever it takes to help his team win. So is freshman walk-on Malik Thomas.

The point I'm trying to make is this: all of the players seem to really be pulling together, and there appears that no one has a hidden agenda. Everyone simply wants what is best for the team, the program, and the city.

It's a very refreshing attitude, one which will serve them well when the time comes to start playing for real.

LATE BREAKING NEWS

Freshman Angel Garcia, who already lost an entire season to injury and academics, tore an ACL in his knee on Thursday and will be out for the year, according to a source close to the situation.

Garcia, 6'11" and weighing 250-pounds, had worked hard to gain eligibility for this season, and had worked even harder to put muscle on his lean frame.

In addition to the heartbreak that Garcia must be feeling, this is a devastating blow to the Tiger team.

Garcia was being counted on for heavy minutes on the frontline, as one of only nine scholarship players on this fall's squad.

Angel is the second potential Tiger to fall to a torn ACL, after Martin Ngaloro was injured while working out in his homeland of France.

Garcia, highly recruited by the previous regime as a senior in East Chicago, IL, suffered the injury in a non-contact drill in Thursday's individual workout while making a straight-line move.

Managing Editor Leroy Watson, Jr. contributed to this story

John Martin is a Staff Writer for TigerSportsReport.com and can be reached via e-mail at JohnM@TigerSportsReport.com.