To have a good time SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural cloth. For the following 30 days—Monday by way of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full record right here. We’ve additionally bought an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Let’s take it again to ‘08. The Memphis Tigers, led by then-head coach John Calipari, had misplaced within the South Regional Ultimate the season prior, however going into the ‘07-08 season, all eyes had been on them to see what they’d do subsequent.
After all, the arrival of a 6-3, top-ranked standout from Chicago who had caught the eye of the nation throughout his time at Simeon Profession Academy, gave the hype surrounding the Tigers an additional increase. Increase is perhaps an understatement. We’re speaking concerning the Rose who would ultimately turn into one of many youngest, ever, to win the NBA’s MVP award. Not a what-if story, or what-was, however what stays: he’s probably the most aero-dynamic gamers of all time and has set the usual for what the phrase even means.
Even again then, and with far much less tattoos, Derrick Rose was bouncier than ever when he suited up for the Tigers and averaged 15 factors and 4 assists per sport. His court docket imaginative and prescient and talent to orchestrate performs elevated the Tigers to unprecedented heights as they launched into a 26-game successful streak to start out the season, incomes them a No. 1 rating for the primary time in 25 years. Whereas Calipari, who is likely one of the biggest faculty coaches ever, led the helm, Rose and veteran leaders like Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas-Roberts helped information the Tigers all the way in which to the NCAA event.
They defeated No. 16-seeded Texas–Arlington and 8-seed Mississippi State, triumphed over No. 5 seed Michigan State and, in a dramatic regional remaining, outclassed a No. 2-seeded Texas crew and No. 1 seed UCLA to make all of it the way in which to the Nationwide Championship sport in opposition to Kansas. Rose, ever-so composed for somebody who had but to play on the large stage, held his personal for a complete 45 minutes of the additional time matchup. He dished out dimes effortlessly, commanded the offense like a real ground basic and went at it in opposition to two, generally three defenders as he made his strategy to the basket.
Regardless of the loss, that sport was only a glimpse into the longer term. The Tigers despatched three gamers to the League that June: within the ‘08 NBA Draft, Rose was chosen by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 1 decide, whereas Douglas-Roberts and Anderson each had been drafted within the second spherical; a testomony to Calipari’s legacy in molding the sport’s brightest stars. That ‘07-08 season can be tied for probably the most wins (38) in a single season in NCAA historical past, a feat solely Calipari holds. He’d do it once more throughout his tenure at Kentucky, however the file books will let you know that the ‘07-08 Memphis Group did it first.
Photographs through Getty Photos.