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april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/18/2009) It may well have been the most excitement over a loss that Tiger fans have ever seen.
The Tigers two point 57-55 loss to #1 ranked Kansas Tuesday night spoke volumes.
"Last night's performance I think shocked a lot of people in a good way and made us realize we can still compete with the best the country has to offer." says Colby Bowen who works at the Tigers Gift Shop near campus.
Many never expected it to happen, not with a new coach, a team in the middle of rebuilding and especially against a team ranked top in the polls.
But Tiger fans who watched the 'oh so close' game were wowed.
"The fact they only lost by two points shows a lot of what Coach Pastner has been doing." says Julie Perkins, a Tigers fan.
Message boards lit up with fans popping off praise with one writing, "While others are playing cupcakes, we are going toe to toe with the #1 team in the country."
Another saying, 'this was a good loss. We played hard, the guys did great. Watch out cause here we come.'
But it wasn't just on the internet.
On Sports 56 Radio, the Tigers were all the talk.
"I knew from the start this season we were going to come out kicking butt and I feel we will do it all year long." said one caller.
Back at the gift shop where fans are picking up anything Tigers, many are just hoping others will finally take notice and give the team its due.
"I think they should be ranked. What they did, coming a fraction of a shot from beating the #1 team in the country, I think it's only fair the team should be ranked." says Paul Eade, a Tigers fan.
Tiger fans predict, after Tuesday night's game, you will see an even larger fan turn-out as the Tigers take on their next opponent.
Fans are being urged to come out and support the Tigers as they take on Tennessee Tech Friday night at the Forum.
- Tigers lose to #1 ranked team by a mere two points
- Fans say it proves the team can go toe-to-toe with the best
- Fans predict a winning season for the Tigers
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/18/2009) It may well have been the most excitement over a loss that Tiger fans have ever seen.
The Tigers two point 57-55 loss to #1 ranked Kansas Tuesday night spoke volumes.
"Last night's performance I think shocked a lot of people in a good way and made us realize we can still compete with the best the country has to offer." says Colby Bowen who works at the Tigers Gift Shop near campus.
Many never expected it to happen, not with a new coach, a team in the middle of rebuilding and especially against a team ranked top in the polls.
But Tiger fans who watched the 'oh so close' game were wowed.
"The fact they only lost by two points shows a lot of what Coach Pastner has been doing." says Julie Perkins, a Tigers fan.
Message boards lit up with fans popping off praise with one writing, "While others are playing cupcakes, we are going toe to toe with the #1 team in the country."
Another saying, 'this was a good loss. We played hard, the guys did great. Watch out cause here we come.'
But it wasn't just on the internet.
On Sports 56 Radio, the Tigers were all the talk.
"I knew from the start this season we were going to come out kicking butt and I feel we will do it all year long." said one caller.
Back at the gift shop where fans are picking up anything Tigers, many are just hoping others will finally take notice and give the team its due.
"I think they should be ranked. What they did, coming a fraction of a shot from beating the #1 team in the country, I think it's only fair the team should be ranked." says Paul Eade, a Tigers fan.
Tiger fans predict, after Tuesday night's game, you will see an even larger fan turn-out as the Tigers take on their next opponent.
Fans are being urged to come out and support the Tigers as they take on Tennessee Tech Friday night at the Forum.
