Greivis Vasquez probably should have kept his mouth shut. I guess I should specify, considering this is a guy who never shuts up. He's cussed out his own fans for God's sake. As the saying goes, it's probably best to keep your mouth shut when people think you are a fool -- rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt. Prior to Saturday's contest against highly-touted Memphis, Vasquez once again just couldn't help himself.
Memphis had not said one negative word about Maryland, yet here he came.
"If [Memphis] played in the ACC Conference, they'd have a losing record in the league," Vasquez said. "They'd probably win all of their games outside the league and have a losing record in the league. The ACC is too tough."There's more.
Memphis "needs some competition," Vasquez said. "It's going to be a fight. I don't care who guards me. I'm going to go at him and at the whole team. I'm such a competitor. I don't care who's in front of me. I'm going to compete."Where to begin? Vasquez's vaunted ACC -- you know, the one where Memphis would allegedly have had a losing record -- currently sits 3-5 in the NCAA Tournament. Boston College was easily handled by USC, 12-seed Wisconsin took down Florida State, Clemson lost to Michigan, and Wake Forest was embarrassed by Cleveland State (a 13-seed).
Again, Greivis, you probably should have just shut your mouth.
Possibly fueled by Vasquez's comments, the Tigers of Memphis came out and dismantled Maryland from the get-go. This was never a game -- it was 17-4 before five minutes had been played. Had Memphis kept their foot on the gas, they could have easily won by 40. They shot well, they rebounded well, and they hit their free throws. Most of all, they were just too athletic for the Terrapins.
As for Vasquez, he did score 18 points, but the overwhelming majority came when the game was already out of hand. He scored his fifth and sixth points on a layup with 1:35 left in the first half -- to cut Memphis' lead to 20.
I'm sure Memphis can agree with Vasquez on one thing: They could certainly use better competition. Vazquez and Maryland sure as hell didn't provide any.
NCAA Tournament Action
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 21: Wayne Ellington #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives against Garrett Temple #14 of the Louisiana State University Tigers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wayne Ellington;Garrett Temple
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: A Washington Huskies cheerleader performs during a break in the action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Manny Harris #3 of the Michigan Wolverines jumps to the basket for a lay up against Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Harris
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Zack Novan #0 and Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for the loose ball with Blake Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Gibson;Zack Novak;Blake Griffin
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Willie Warren #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners makes contact as he goes to the basket with Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first hafl during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willie Warren
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners goes up for the short jump shot against DeShawn Sims #34 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Griffin;DeShawn Sims
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a shot over Jon Brockman #40 of the Washington Huskies in the second half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaJuan Johnson;Jon Brockman
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners and Zack Novak #0 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for position to the loose ball in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Novak;Taylor Griffin
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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Head Coach Jeff Capel of the Michigan Wolverines yells from the sideline during their game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Capel
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: Lewis Jackson #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a layup as Quincy Pondexter #20 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lewis Jackson;Quincy Pondexter
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-21-2009 @ 6:59PM
timothy bud 69 said...
thats too funny
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 7:03PM
goverby said...
Anybody else want to bash the tigers ? Please do
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 8:57PM
John said...
Vasquez is 'stupid'. Anytime you go and smart off about what you are going to do; you are going to get the S--t beat out of you. Such an idiot. If I were his coach; I would have told him a long time ago the next time you quote something out loud for the news media to hear; you are going to sit on the bench.
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 8:25PM
Tod said...
I love it when stupid players who run their mouths get embarrassed and put in their place!! Great job, Memphis! haha
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 11:45PM
troche8616 said...
I am a Terps fan. Congratulations to Memphis if they keep shooting like this they will win it all. The Memphis players and coach showed a lot of class considering the comments Vasquez made. Memphis could have run up the score but they are focused on something more important, NCAA Champions. Best of luck
3-21-2009 @ 8:47PM
zarknothing said...
Would anyone actually disagree that Memphis would finish in the bottom half of the ACC? I think its pretty clear they would.
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 9:00PM
Matt Snyder said...
I completely disagree. They wouldn't have finished any lower than third. I could see them being worse than Duke and UNC, but not anyone else.
3-21-2009 @ 9:15PM
heather said...
I think its funny as heck when someone gets beat, that DESERVES to be beat. I seriously DOUBT that MEMPHIS would be at the bottom, I think MARYLAND has that position locked. Dont be all BUTTHURT that he fed the TIGERS before the game, be butthurt cause he didnt have what it takes to back up his words...
3-21-2009 @ 9:41PM
thewalloffame said...
I believe they finished second in the country last year.where was the acc then?
3-21-2009 @ 11:36PM
misenplace4 said...
zarknothing, in the last three years Memphis has been to the elite eight twice and the championship once. Compare this to the teams of the ACC over the last three years and tell me how they stack up.Now if hypothetically Memphis was in the ACC, would they have won 30 games four seasons in a row,graduating(all 3 grad. in 4 years) 3 seniors with the NCAA record of most wins(134 and counting), 33-3 record this year, a 27 game win streak- most likely not. The ACC is a great conference with a few really great programs but I truely think they would be very competitive and at least in the top three. Mr Vasquez contents Memphis would have a sub .500 conference record. I guess like the 7-9 record Maryland dragged in to the tourney this year
3-23-2009 @ 1:38AM
kyle561 said...
what an idiot you are
3-24-2009 @ 3:30AM
Tommy said...
Zarknothing must refer to your knowledge of basketball. Obviously, Memphis would have finished above Maryland in the ACC this year. We may not win it all this year, but next year we will have probably the best recruiting class in all of college basketball. If Tyreke opts to go pro, then we will undoubtedly have the best recruiting class in all of college basketball. So, watch out ACC.
3-21-2009 @ 9:51PM
bmoreravens2052 said...
Please don't loop vasquez in with MD. I don't care if u make fun of him, but go easy on the Terps.
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 10:17PM
Larry said...
Isn't this the same Memphis Tigers that finished above every ACC team last year?
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 10:53PM
duckman820 said...
First off, Vasquez is no star. He's too slow of foot; he's a sloppy ball handler, an inconsistent shooter; and a lazy defender. I especially love it when Vasquez tries to dripple down the lane like he has some speed, size and moves at the basket. The outcome is he usually turns the ball over. A star is someone that comes and plays 100% every game. Vasquez is an "I think I'll play hard this game, and not so hard that game" type of player. But then again if I played for that idiot Gary Williams with his turning around and screaming at the coaches and players on the bench the entire game, I'd probably OD on Gatorade during the game just so I wouldn't have to listen to his crap.
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 11:21PM
nabpdcop said...
Lets put them in the BIG EAST and see what happens. Both ACC and BIG EAST are very tough. Don't get it twisted about the DANCE. Last year MEMPHIS got beat by a BIG 12 team. So everyone SHUT UP.
Reply
3-21-2009 @ 11:47PM
misenplace4 said...
Correct me if I'm wrong nabpcop but last year Memphis lost in overtime to Kansas (Big 12) in the championship game after all the ACC and Big East teams had been beaten and eliminated.
3-22-2009 @ 12:37AM
zarknothing said...
memphis would not have finished better than unc, duke, wake, nor clemson had they played a full acc conference schedule
Reply
3-22-2009 @ 11:26AM
misenplace4 said...
Correct me if I'm wrong zarknothing but Memphis has finished ahead of Wake and Clemson this year. Memphis has a game on Thursday while both Wake and Clemson will watch from home. Duke and UNC still look good, both truely great programs. By the way I wouldn't use Wake as an example after their first round exit from the tourney thanks to that powerhouse Cleveland St. it really doesn't prove your point very well.
3-22-2009 @ 7:59PM
jcsgroove said...
Who cares where they would finish in the conference? What matters is where are they finishing NOW??? You guys have no clue about basketball to say the things you say.It doesn't matter what conference you play in...it matters if you have TALENT,which is why Memphis is in the Sweet 16 for the 4 yr in a row!! There have been only 4 or 5 other teams to do that.You should really take time to do your homework my friend! By the way,I'm a UNC fan!