Memphis Finally Wins as No. 1

Unbeaten Tigers top Tulsa for first win as NCAA's top team
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 23, 2008 9:55 PM CST
Memphis Finally Wins as No. 1
Memphis' Antonio Anderson, left, takes a rebound away from Tulsa's Justin Hurtt during second half action in their college basketball game in Tulsa, Okla. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Memphis beat Tulsa 56-41. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)   (Associated Press)

Twenty-five years and 13 days ago, Virginia Tech upset Memphis hours after they were anointed #1 in the NCAA; the Tigers avoided the same fate in their first game as college basketball's top team since then, beating Tulsa 56-41. Memphis had won its previous six games by at least 20 points.

This game was a little closer—at least until late in the game, when Memphis went on a 9-0 run to take a 16-point lead with four minutes left. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Derrick Rose, and seldom-used reserve Shawn Taggart combined for all but three of Memphis's points. The Tigers are now 18-0. (More NCAA stories.)

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