March 9, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Tiger Nation has its eyes on the postseason that starts this week with the Conference USA Tournament, but on Sunday night, it took time to celebrate what the University of Memphis men's basketball squad did during the 2007-08 regular season at the team's annual awards banquet. The festivities took place at The Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis.

Each of the 13 Tigers took home one honor, including junior Chris Douglas-Roberts and freshman Derrick Rose, both of whom were double award winners. Douglas-Roberts received the team's Leading Scorer Award and the squad's Most Valuable Player accolade, while Rose was honored with the Tigers' Newcomer and Playmaker Awards.

Seniors Joey Dorsey and Andre Allen each took home a piece of hardware. Dorsey earned the team's Leading Rebounder honor, and Allen received the squad's Sixth Man Award.

Willie Kemp received the second-annual Charlie Cleaves Best Teammate Award, which was named for the late Charlie Cleaves who passed away during the 2006-07 campaign. Chance McGrady was recognized with the team's Academic Award, and Antonio Anderson was honored with the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The other winners were: Hashim Bailey and Pierre Niles for the Coaches Award; Robert Dozier for the Versatility Award; Jeff Robinson for the Strength and Conditioning Award; Doneal Mack for Most Improved Player Award; and Shawn Taggart for the Perseverance Award.

The Tigers (30-1, 16-0 C-USA), ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll and No. 3 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, return to action Thursday, Mar. 13 when they open play in the Conference USA Championship. Memphis earned a first-round tournament bye and will meet the Marshall-Tulane winner at 6:00 p.m. (CT) on Thursday. Marshall and Tulane face off in a 6:00 p.m. (CT) first-round game on Wednesday, Mar. 12.

Memphis clinched the 2007-08 Conference USA regular season title with a perfect 16-0 record. It was the third-straight C-USA regular season title for the Tigers, and also the second-consecutive year that Memphis won the crown with a perfect 16-0 league mark.

The following is a list of the award winners at the Memphis men's basketball awards banquet:

Coaches Award - Hashim Bailey, Pierre Niles

Versatility Award - Robert Dozier

Strength and Conditioning Award - Jeff Robinson

Academic Award - Chance McGrady

Charlie Cleaves Best Teammate Award - Willie Kemp

Sixth Man Award - Andre Allen

Most Improved Player Award - Doneal Mack

Newcomer Award - Derrick Rose

Leading Rebounder Award - Joey Dorsey

Defensive Player of the Year Award - Antonio Anderson

Perseverance Award - Shawn Taggart

Leading Scorer Award - Chris Douglas-Roberts

Playmaker Award - Derrick Rose

Most Valuable Player Award - Chris Douglas-Roberts