Memphis cruised into the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year with an easy win over Maryland Saturday. The final score was as close as Maryland got in the second half, as the Tigers took a 53-33 half-time lead, stretched it to 29, then slowed it down and glided home with the bench in control.
Prior to the game, Maryland guard Grievis Vasquez had made some ill-advised remarks about Memphis not being competitive in the ACC. As it turned out, Memphis got much tougher games from some CUSA opponents than it did from Maryland, which was over-matched from the start.
Tyreke Evans led five Tigers in double figures, with 19 points. He was joined by Robert Dozier (17), Doneal Mack (17), Shawn Taggart (14 pts, 11 rebounds), and Roburt Sallie (13). Antonio Anderson had 11 assists for Memphis. Memphis shot 70 percent from the field in the first half to bury the Terps early.
Memphis (33-3) plays the winner of the second round game between Marquette and Missouri in Phoenix next weekend.
–Bruce VanWyngarden
