Memphis Short 1 or 2 for Thursday

[max the wonder dog]

According to published reports, Kuran Iverson, a 6'9" 205 lbs sophomore has been suspended for the SMU game and Saturday's game at Houston for "violation of team rules." Iverson has averaged 4.6 pts., 1.88 rebs, and 11.8 minutes per game this season.

Nick King, a 6'7", 226 lbs. sophomore has missed the Tigers last 2 games with a sprained ankle and was "extremely limited" in practice Wednesday. He's uncertain for Thursday's game. King has averaged 4.9 pts., 6 rebs., and 11.1 min. per game.

But wait, there's more.

Wednesday afternoon Iverson liked and retweeted “Josh Pastner is a fraud of a coach and uses players as scape goats due to his lack of coaching ability. Stop the fraud.” He was suspended from a game last year and for an exhibition game against Christian Brothers (which the Tigers lost) this year.

Iverson was a Rivals 4 Star out of high school and the 28th ranked player nationally. He's following in the path of Pastner's recruits who under-perform when they get to Memphis.

Since you asked, he's AI's second cousin, but they reportedly aren't close.

[CoxMustangFan]

Dumpster fire!

[Pony_Law]

Pastner is a well know to be a fantastic recruiter and a pretty below average coach. Reminds me a lot of Scott drew at Baylor only he doesn't get quite the same level of talent because he is at a "smaller" basketball program. Not surprising he can't get top level play out of top level recruits.

[El_Mustang]

According to this fellow from CBS (to whom the NBC Sports article refers), he likely will not play for Memphis ever again.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/07/suspended-memphis-forward-kuran-iverson-retweets-posts-criticizing-head-coach-josh-pastner

[Pony ^]

Memphis is in shambles. The team has turned completely against Pastner. We should win by 15+

[ALEX LIFESON]

Memphis is in shambles. The team has turned completely against Pastner. We should win by 15+

Ya never know. Cincy had something like 9 new players they're trying to break in, students on holiday break....and their head coach in the hospital. and we still lost.

[PonyTime]

Memphis Basketball 2014-15

[max the wonder dog]

Memphis sports columnist Geoff Calkins weighs in on Iverson (behind a pay wall). Here's Fair Use summary:

1. Iverson deserved to be suspended.

2. This conflict is not an isolated instance,it's a trend. Calkins cited four examples of elite recruits who came to Memphis and failed to live up to their potential.

3. " . . .Pastner has a hard time getting the most out of the players he recruits. What Memphian with eyeballs hasn’t noticed that?

That’s why Iverson’s retweet was so powerful. That’s why it may linger in Memphis long after its author is sent home.

Yes, Iverson may be immature and irresponsible and all sorts of other bad things. But what if he happens to be right?"