By Greg Russell

HOUSTON -- SEC, Big Ten, Big 12: No big deal. The team that supposedly couldn't match up with the conference big boys is one of only four schools still standing.

Memphis will make its third Final Four appearance ever this Saturday in San Antonio when the Tigers take on a familiar foe on the national stage, UCLA, at 5:07 p.m. in the Alamodome. The winner advances to next Monday's national championship game and will play the survivor of the other semifinal game that pits Kansas and North Carolina.

Mark off the Big 12's Texas, a team Memphis easily disposed of 85-67 at Sunday's South Regional in Houston. Gone, too, are the SEC's Mississippi State and Big Ten's Michigan State, both victims of the Tigers in earlier rounds. While national pundits keep picking the Tigers to lose, the team continues to take opponents apart in a most business yet dramatic fashion.

“We're going to celebrate today then go back to work tomorrow," said Tiger guard Antonio Anderson, who, like the other Tigers, seemed all business in the locker room moments after the game.

“We will have some great practices this week and get ready for UCLA," added Willie Kemp.

Only the Bruins, who toppled the Tigers 87-66 in the 1973 national championship game, stand in Memphis' path to the title contest.

“UCLA has always been our nemesis, but this is our year," said U of M alum Mary Horwitch ('79). Who could argue with Elvis, er, two Elvises for that matter—Horwitch and her sister, Linda Bratton ('77, '79), both came to Sunday's game dressed as the King of Rock ‘n Roll. “We remember when that Bill Walton took us in '73," said Linda. “We're going to get them this year."

The two twins joined perhaps 12,000 other Tiger fans in Houston. Derrick Rose, the regional MVP, scored 21 points while all-regional performer Chris Douglas-Roberts tossed in a game-high 25. Memphis sent Texas fans heading for the exits with four minutes left in the game with another truly dominating performance, one that even left Tiger mascot Pouncer out of breath.

“I try to give the same effort as the team does," said senior marketing major Terez Wilson, the man behind the Tiger mask. Considering the Tigers two-game explosion in Houston resembled the days of Phi Slama Jama, no wonder Wilson was drenched in sweat after the game and dehydrated. He says he was at both the Texas and UCLA losses two years ago, but “We'll match up fine with UCLA this time around."

Jimmy Lackie (‘76), who played for the Tiger football team in 1974 and 1975, says this season reminds him of Memphis'1973 march to the national championship game with UCLA.

“That was a fabulous run with (Larry) Finch, Ronnie Robinson, (Larry) Kenon, Bill Cook and Bill Laurie," said Lackie, who was in Houston with his wife, Margie, and son, Taylor, “It is good to be back on this level. I think we match up with anybody. I haven't seen anybody with the speed we have."

The Tigers, now 37-1, will likely leave for San Antonio Wednesday.

Odds and ends

Former Tiger All-American Anfernee Hardaway, once an NBA all-star, said Rose continues to impress him with each outing.

“He's a super athlete and he can take total control of a game," said Hardaway, who has been at each Tiger NCAA playoff appearance this year. Hardaway led the Tigers to an Elite Eight appearance in 1992.

The U of M pre-game alumni pep rally at Reliant Center drew some 2,000 fans and included an appearance by the U of M Alumni Association's Houston Club President Robert Stephens and University President Shirley Raines.

“There is a blue they wear in Carolina—that's not blue," said Dr. Raines. “There's a blue they wear in Kansas—that's not blue either. But there is a blue we wear in Memphis and it is Memphis blue. That is the only true blue!" Raines told cheering Tiger supporters.

Alum Charles Rafael (‘68) offered his opinion on Memphis' free throw shooting woes. “Free throws are over-rated," said Rafael. He also predicted this before the game: “If we shoot 35 free throws today, we will win." Memphis hit on a season best 30 of 36 for 83.3 percent in the win.

Gloria Hunt, mother of former Tiger Jeremy Hunt, also attended the pep rally. She said Hunt continues to play in Frankfurt, Germany, where he averages 16 points a game. “He's working his way to the NBA," she said. “He has some summer tryout camps set up."