Rather than grabbing their swimwear and heading to a beach somewhere, 20 law stu-dents from The University of Memphis will spend their spring break in dress shirts and slacks, helping provide free legal ser-vice to elderly and low-income people in Memphis.

The Public Action Law Society and the Cecil C. Humphreys

School of Law are sponsoring the alternative spring break. PALS, a student organization, planned and organized the program.

Seventeen students partici-pating from nine other universi-ties including Vanderbilt, Florida State, University of Pittsburgh, and Chase College of Law will also participate in the program.

“It’s a great opportunity to host other students and to increase awareness of the law school. And we have a fantas-

tic facility that we are excited to share,” said Anna Rudman-Santos, Vice President of PALS and second-year law student. “It also heightens the status of PALS and increases the validity and recognition of our organization.”

Under the supervision of licensed attorneys, the students will provide help with pro se divorce (divorce done without a lawyer), non-profit advocacy, wills and living wills for the elderly. Students will work

with non-profit groups Court-Appointed Special Advocates, RISE foundation and Literacy Mid-South.

“We tried to think of ideas that students could participate in and see to completion,“ said Rudman-Santos. “A lot of them are paperwork oriented, and with the help it seemed like something they could finish as opposed to a large project where

DAILYHELMSMAN

Vol. 78 No. 090The

Independent Student Newspaper of The University of Memphis www.dailyhelmsman.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

SGA approves plan to continue free papers on campus next semester — for a (small) price

see page 5

Readership Program ExtendedSpring Break 2011

Alternative spring break aids the elderlyBY KYLe LACROiXNews Reporter

Live wire

Philanthropy

Residents of The University of Memphis’ South Hall men’s dormi-tory, located at Goodman Street and Southern Avenue, evacuated the build-ing Thursday after an electrical fire broke out in room 332 of the dorm.

No injuries from the fire were report-ed, but two U of M students were left without housing and some of their per-sonal possessions after the blaze. The fire, which flared up about 5:45 p.m., caused about $10,000 worth of structur-

al damage to the room and its residents’ property, said Wayne Cook, spokesman for the Memphis Fire Department.

Lt. Traune Gipson of MFD said the fire, which was started by “too many things” plugged in to the room’s electri-cal outlets, heavily damaged a bed and desk in the room.

Junior advertising major Walter Smith is one of two roommates displaced by the fire. Smith said as he entered South Hall, other residents told him the smoke alarm in his room was going off.

“I ran upstairs, saw smoke coming from the room, and I opened the door and saw there were flames coming out from the right side of the room,” he said.

Smith said he attempted to smoth-er the flames with a fire extinguisher before heavy smoke forced him to leave the room and pull the fire alarm.

“The smoke just started to over-whelm me,” he said.

MFD units put out the fire shortly before 6 p.m., but due to lingering smoke, South Hall resident advisers and firefighters kept students from entering part of the building for hours afterward.

Smith’s roommate, who asked not to be identified, was sorting through a pile of burnt, ash-covered clothes outside South Hall’s main entrance as residents began filtering back in to the building Thursday night.

A half-dozen fire trucks responded to a blaze on the third floor of South Hall early Thursday evening. Students were evacuated, and thousands of dollars of damage were inflicted on the dorm where the fire sparked.

by B

rian

Wils

on

BY SCOTT CARROLLEditor-in-ChiefAnD eRiCA HORTOnNews Reporter

Community

Pedestrian pathways on and around The University of Memphis campus might be a little crowded this weekend, as runners of two 5Ks will traipse through campus and the sur-rounding area Saturday morning.

Second Presbyterian Church will host their first 5K run, Miles for Mercy, which starts and fin-ishes at Central Avenue and Goodlett Street, at 9 a.m. Less than a block away, Central High School’s Bridge Builders will fire the starting gun at the same time at Southern and Goodlett Street for their tenth annual Race to Erase Racism.

Because the races are run-ning different directions, Bruce Harber, director of police servic-es, said that traffic around The University shouldn’t be affected.

“The (Memphis Police Department) handles 5Ks all the time so I don’t think traffic will be effected,” Harber said.

The similarities between the races on Saturday don’t end with their start time and U of M area location. While the direct benefits from the races are dif-ferent, both are trying to make Memphis a better place.

The Race to Erase Racism urges its competitors “to take the first step,” toward breaking down racial barriers in Memphis, said Will Vaughn, a senior at Central High School and Bridge Builders chairman for his school.

“We want to take it to another level and have something in the community, especially in a city like Memphis where social and racial divides are everywhere,” he said.

Second Presbyterian’s Miles for Mercy will donate all of its proceeds to inner-city ministries, specifically in the Berclair area.

Chris Sheffield, one of the vol-unteers that made Miles for Mercy possible, and Vaughn both agreed that putting on a race is a lot more difficult than just running in one.

“There are a thousand logis-tics that went in to making this a good run,” Sheffield said.

“I’ve been running in the Race to Erase Racism for eight years but this is my first time putting it together,” Vaughn said. “It’s a lot different to be on the other side and having to do all the work.”

Two 5Ks on, near campus SaturdayBY CHRiS SHAWNews Reporter

Electrical fire damages South Hall dorm room

see Races, page 3

see LaW BReaK, page 4

www.dailyhelmsman.com2 • Friday, March 4, 2011

Across1 The word?4 You might need to watch yours8 Like some Disneyland passes14 Downed15 __ bene16 It may involve an exaggerated age17 With 19-Across, serious warnings18 Not much19 See 17-Across20 Halloween breakfast pastry?23 1938 “The War of the Worlds” broadcast, for one24 Keystone enforcer25 Blazing28 Go-aheads32 __’acte33 Lone breakfast pastry?37 Garden product word38 Attacks39 Igloos and yurts41 Sch. attendance notation42 Cherished breakfast pastry?46 End of a boast48 Got for nothing49 Make official51 Newspaper supply52 Islamic leader56 Ones hooked on breakfast pastry?60 Type of sauce served with falafel62 Gaucho’s weapon63 Homework amount?64 Puck’s king65 “Dulce et Decorum est” poet Wilfred __66 Flow out67 Henry VIII et al.68 Hitch69 Wall St. monitor

Down1 Orderly movement2 Nirvana #1 album “In __”3 Scorned lover of Jason4 Lose it5 Michael’s nemesis on “The Office”

6 Boarding pass generator7 Sponsors8 Brand of nonstick cookware9 Half a city10 Michael of “Caddyshack”11 Gallantry12 River island13 NFL stat21 Show-what-you-know chances22 Machinating26 Prelate’s title: Abbr.27 Unevenly worn29 Cross words30 Actors Rogen and Green31 Big gun or big cheese33 Desire and then some34 Clinton Treasury secretary35 In one piece

36 Award with a Sustained Achievement category40 “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” for one43 Broad44 Endangered great apes45 x, at times47 Baseball star who reportedly said, “I think there’s a sexiness in infield hits”50 Caruso, for one53 A couple54 Acrobat developer55 Rachel Maddow’s station57 Serious lapses58 Zeno’s home59 Dangle60 Tater __61 __ Simbel, site of Ramses II temples

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Volume 78 Number 090

YOU ReALLY LiKe US!Yesterday’s Top-Read Stories

on the Web1. Aarrgh! Pirates’ offense sinks Tigers

by John Martin

2. State seeks ban on Islamic practicesby Erica Horton

3. Rock’n’roll all night and part of every dayby Chris Daniels

4. Trezevant found guilty of Bradford murderby Myiesha Griffin

5. Author explains nuts and bolts of DNAby Erica Horton

Solutions on page 5

Complete the grid so that each row, column and 3—by—3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

Sudoku

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— @FantasyShirley

Tell us what gives you paws. Send us your thoughts on Twitter

@dailyhelmsman or #tigerbabble. Or post on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/dailyhelmsman.

The March 3 article “State legislators seek ban on certain Islamic practices” contained an incorrect sentence. It should have read, “Pathan said some portions of Sharia Law are not practiced by all Muslims in the United States.”

CORReCTiOn

The University of Memphis Friday, March 4, 2011 • 3

Thursday, dozens of stu-dents hurrying to and from class paused to support cancer research — and to fire a pie into the face of a Phi Beta Sigma fra-ternity member.

“Pie a Sigma” was held out-side of the University Center Thursday morning and after-noon. Students who donat-ed a dollar to the American Cancer Society were awarded one whipped cream pie to lob toward the face of a willing Sigma member.

“Instead of us just asking for a dollar, they give a dollar and get to smash a pie in our face,” said Darrell Lewis, senior sports management major and Phi Beta Sigma member. “They have fun, and we get a dol-lar for the American Cancer Society.”

Phi Beta Sigma, whose motto is, “Culture for service and ser-vice for humanity,” dedicates itself to promoting services to the general community by creat-ing and participating in events like Thursday’s, said fraternity member Anwar Douglas. The fraternity raises money for the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital throughout the year.

“One of our principles we base value on is service and giving back to the community,” said junior engineering tech-nology major Douglas.

Thursday marked the fra-ternity’s first philanthropic pie throwing event, but Preston Williams, senior business econ-omy major and Phi Beta Sigma member thinks the event will become an annual one.

“This is just the start of big-ger events,” Williams said.

“Based on the turn out, it will be back next year.”

Students said they enjoyed throwing pies in the faces of their fellow classmates and that help-ing the American Cancer Society while doing so made the event that much sweeter.

“I like it because my grandmother had breast cancer and later died from it. It’s for a great cause,” said Jessica Wilson, sophomore com-munications major.

Wednesday, 3/16Wednesday Night Live:

Music of Timbre8 p.m. • UC River Room

Coming UpFriday, 3/18

Friday Film Series7 p.m.

UC Theatre

The U of M Clay Clubpresents

Ceramic Artist Matthew HyleckResident Artist & Teacher, Baltimore Clayworks

WorkshopMarch 14 @ 10 a.m.March 15 @ 1 p.m.

Art Building, Room 120

LectureMarch 14 @ 2:30 p.m.

Art Building, Room 127

Marvin Stewart treats fellow Phi

Beta Sigma mem-ber Brad Millen to a face full of

whipped topping to raise money for

cancer research. by A

aron

Tur

ner

A pie-plate enigma from Phi Beta SigmaPhilanthropy

BY JASmine VAnnNews Reporter

Fraternity raises funds for American Cancer Society, trading dollars for chances to launch desserts at faces

When looking at how the races got their start, it’s easy to see where the similarities end. Miles for Mercy was made possible after a member of the church won a $500 dollar gift certificate from a company that puts on races.

Sheffield said the church mem-ber decided right away to put the money toward the 5K.

When Vaughn became chair-man of Bridge Builders his senior year, he and his fellow Bridge Builders had to raise $1,000 before the race could happen. Tranese Nelms, Central High School ninth-grade counselor, said that an important part of the race was making students set it up themselves.

“It’s up to the students to find sponsors, they have to do all the work because we’re trying to help them become leaders,” Nelms said.

Cost to run in Miles for Mercy is $25 and the Race to Erase Racism is $15.

Racesfrom page 1

www.dailyhelmsman.com4 • Friday, March 4, 2011

The West Memphis 3 Were they unjustly convicted?

“The Media’s Role in the West Memphis 3 Case.”A panel discussion featuring Mara Leveritt, author of

Devil’s Knot, a book about the case, and Lorrie Davis, wife of incarcerated Damien Echols

Thursday, March 247 p.m. • UC Theatre

Sponsored by U of M Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists,and Student Event Allocation

PHI SIGMA PINational Honor Fraternity

Recruitment WeekMarch 14-20

Monday, March 14Informational

3-4 p.m.UC Poplar Room

Wednesday, March 15Informational

3-4 p.m. • UC Memphis Room A

Friday, March 18Meet & Greet

5:30-7 p.m.Rose Theatre Lobby

Saturday, March 19Big/Little Ceremony

6-7 p.m.

Sunday, March 20Induction Ceremony

6-7 p.m.UC Iris Room

SCHOLARSHIP • LEADERSHIP • FELLOWSHIP

Tomorrow, local middle and high school students will descend on The University of Memphis to flaunt their cre-ativity and knowledge of U.S. history.

The U of M will host the annual West Tennessee History Day district competition in the University Center on Saturday beginning at 7 a.m.

“Its like the science fair of history,” said Emily Schwimmer, graduate history student and assistant coordi-nator for the event, part of the National History Day competition.

Participants will present projects, papers, documenta-ries, exhibits, performances and websites on the theme

“debate and diplomacy in his-tory” for adjudication.

Winners on Saturday will go to the state competition in Nashville to compete for a spot in the national competi-tion, which will be held at the University of Maryland.

The grand prize at the national competition is a $30,000 scholarship.

Angela Martin, graduate student and assistant coordi-nator, said that she has coordi-nated the event since 2007 and has also judged in the past.

“My favorite category to judge was the performance category,” said Martin. “You really get to see creativity in its purest form.”

She said that one group from Memphis City Schools advanced all the way to nationals in the performance

category with their piece on the cotton gin.

“They did a wonderful job on their performance, which they looked at from the posi-tion of slaves and how the cotton gin affected the slaves.”

Maurice Crouse, history professor, has been judging the district competition since it first started in the 1980s. He originally started judging in the research paper and exhibit categories.

“The papers are usual-ly 10 to 15 pages long. We don’t expect more than that from them because they are just middle and high school students.”

This year Crouse will judge the website portion of the com-petition. He said that while he

will pay attention to the attrac-tiveness of websites, looks aren’t everything.

“I look for content, whether it has it has anything to do with the theme and, of course, accuracy,” said Crouse.

Crouse said that the judges get a checklist for each catego-ry that assigns weight to each component.

He said that 60 percent of the website category is judged on historical quality, and the other 40 percent comes from relation to the theme and clar-ity of the presentation.

Martin said that the compe-tition is extremely important in the history field.

“I think this is one of the greatest programs nationwide in the social sciences (arena).”

U of M hosts state history competitionAcademics

BY TimBeRLY mOOReNews Reporter

Middle, high school students to present on ‘debate and diplomacy in history’they do a small bit of the work that they will never see the end result of.”

Each of the nonprofits the students will be working with covers a different topic in the legal profession, said Christina Zawisza, faculty advisor for PALS.

“For CASA, they will be working on a domestic vio-lence prevention program proposal. RISE has them working on getting people to use banks instead of pay-day lenders, and Literacy Mid-South wants them to draft things for situations involv-ing volunteers with criminal backgrounds,” said Zawisza.

The students will spend 35 hours next week working and attending workshops and seminars related to their work.

Monica Timmerman, sec-ond-year law student said that volunteer hours are one motivation for participating, “but it feels really good to help people, too.”

Timmerman serves as the divorce clinic team leader for the program.

“I chose the divorce clin-ic track because I am very interested in family law, and it’s very practical experience while a lot of what we do in law school is academic,” she said.

This is not the first time stu-dents at the law school have volunteered their services.

“Last year we sent 15 students to the University of Miami to get temporary protected status for Haitians affected by the hurricane,” Zawisza said. “This year, the students decided they wanted to put something together to bring people together here in Memphis.”

LaW BReaKfrom page 1

Bird is the word. Follow us!

@DailyHelmsman@HelmsmanSports

The University of Memphis Friday, March 4, 2011 • 5

Thursday night, the Student Government Association approved the USA Today Collegiate Readership Program’s return to campus after spring break. This will not immediately raise the stu-dent activity fee, SGA President Hunter Lang said. However, University of Memphis President Shirley Raines is attempting to raise the fee by $5 next semester, he said.

If the increase is approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents, Lang said $3 of the hike could potentially fund the readership program in future

years.TBR has yet

to approve or deny this request.

“Why not tag (the $3) to (the $2 already being asked from TBR by Raines) and have a possi-bility of funds out there,” said Speaker of the Senate James Johnson, who proposed the bill that allows the readership program to stay on campus. “Because if we wouldn’t have asked for that, we couldn’t have been able to

get an increase of funds (from

TBR) for the next three years.”Lang said Raines was plan-

ning to increase the $44 fee by $2 before he proposed she add three more dollars to fund the readership program.

“We hap-pened to be in the right place at the right time,” said Johnson about getting the money for the

program through student fees. “We still are waiting if they (TBR) are going to allow us to have an increase. So as far as future years to come, we have to wait on Tennessee Board of

Regent’s decision.”It will cost $17,000 to fund

the readership program for the remainder of the semes-ter, $5,000 of which came from the SGA’s budget. The rest was pulled from other departments by Vice President of Student Affairs Rosie Bingham, Lang said.

Another bill, which would have allowed the student body to vote on where funding for the program would come, was scheduled to be reviewed at Thursday’s meeting. However, around 10 p.m. the majority of the senate voted to end the meeting early, saying the room was only scheduled until 10 p.m.

Senator Tyler DeWitt, who was to propose the bill, thought other senators intentionally ended the meeting before the bill could be discussed, he said.

“(The meeting) got inten-tionally cut off — they wanted to get out of here. But they knew two more bills were on the docket. But doing our job isn’t important here because they wanted to go home,” DeWitt said.

He added: “We had impor-tant bills about the readership program, to allow the students to decide. (The students) should be telling (the SGA) what to do, not (the SGA) telling The University what to do without listening to an accurate amount of opinions from the students. It’s vital, and we must have it. That’s our job, and I just feel like we could stay here 30 more minutes to look at the last two bills.”

Student Government

Raines suggests increase in student feeUniversity president asks TBR to increase Student Activity Fee next semester, partially to help cover cost of SGA-sponsored College Readership ProgramBY CHeLSeA BOOZeRNews Reporter

“The students should be telling the SGA what to do, not the SGA

telling The University what to do without listening to an accu-

rate amount of opinions from the students. It’s vital, and we must

have it. That’s our job.”

— Tyler DeWittSGA Senator

SolutionsWere these

puzzles really the last thing

you did at school before

the break? For shame.

www.dailyhelmsman.com6 • Friday, March 4, 2011

The Writing On The Wall Project

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March 21 - 23 • 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.Rose Theatre Lobby

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so enough supplies will be made ready.)

OPEN DOOR PAINTING

March 14 - 29 UC Operating Hours

UC 227A, inside the Involvement Zone

Just Stop By!(For individuals or small groups)

The University of Memphis Friday, March 4, 2011 • 7

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Call us for a ride from campus!(and its adjacent areas)

The whispers around The University of Memphis basketball program are getting louder.

After the Tigers dropped a 68-57 contest at East Carolina on Tuesday, former Tiger players Antonio Anderson, Shawn Taggart and Pierre Henderson-Niles voiced their concerns with the team and U of M coach Josh Pastner via Twitter.

The Tigers (21-9, 9-6 Conference USA) have lost three of their last four games. They’ve fallen out of contention for a C-USA regular season title. An at-large bid in the NCAA tournament is also out of the question.

In a tweet to Henderson-Niles, Taggart wrote, “They’re destroy-ing what all of us worked hard to build. I’m not going for that.”

While Pastner is aware that the negativity from former players and fans has blossomed, he said he could only concentrate on his cur-rent team’s psyche.

“It’s my responsibility to keep the guys positive and keep them upbeat, even (after Wednesday night),” he said. “I’m trying to find

something positive out of every situation. I want to make sure that they remain confident and believe in themselves and what we’re try-ing to do.”

After all, there are still at least two games to be played, with the home finale on Saturday against Tulane and at least one game in the C-USA tournament. And for a team that’s shot 39 percent or less from the field in its last three loss-es, distractions are the last thing Pastner needs.

Senior forward Will Coleman, who plays his last home game on Saturday, said he hears the criti-cism from former players and fans but chooses not to respond.

“We’re not taking any negativ-ity down to El-Paso (for the C-USA tournament),” Coleman said. “The ‘Tiger fans’ that claim they love Memphis and Tiger Nation — they’re talking about Pastner behind his back and stuff. I guar-antee those people cannot run up and down the court with us or play with us or bang with us. And I feel like the average individual that has nothing but negativity to say about Pastner and us wouldn’t be able to hang.”

The questions surrounding Pastner and the program can cer-tainly be justified.

A week ago, the Tigers were in prime position to take back the C-USA title with sweeps over league-leading UAB and Southern Miss. But instead of sprinting to the finish line, the Tigers have clumsily waded through the tail end of the C-USA season and dropped three of their last four games.

Despite their recent stumbles, the Tigers shouldn’t be counted out, Coleman said.

“I don’t care what anybody says. I don’t care what anybody does. I don’t care,” he said. “We’re taking Saturday’s (game) and we’re going into the conference tournament with our heads up high.”

To be fair, the former Tigers that lashed out at Pastner and the Tigers after Tuesday’s loss routine-ly blew out teams like Marshall and East Carolina on the way to deep NCAA tournament runs and, ultimately, elevated the program.

This season, the Tigers must rely on next week’s C-USA tour-nament to make the Big Dance.

Tigers trying to drown out negativityBasketball

BY JOHn mARTinSports Editor

see NeGaTIVITY, page 8

University of Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner is try-ing to ignore the negative buzz surrounding his team after its third loss in four games. The Tigers close out the regular season Saturday at 3 p.m. against Tulane.

by D

avid

C.

Min

kin

www.dailyhelmsman.com8 • Friday, March 4, 2011

JM: Maybe most underrated team in C-USA. Senior forward Gary Flowers is a pro. Like UAB and UTEP, they’re comprised of mostly upperclassmen. USM coach Larry Eustachy is dying for an NCAA berth, and he might nab one with this group.

MM: Larry Eustachy’s team may not dazzle opponents, but they’re physical and consistent. Of their six conference losses, three came by one point and only one by more than six (at SMU). Senior forward Gary Flowers’ 19 points and eight rebounds per game set the tone for the Golden Eagles. It’s takes a strong team effort for them to win, and they get it most nights.

JM: Obviously, they’re the host. Haskins Arena is a tough place to play. They can shoot. They’re experienced. Tim Floyd is a good coach. Senior guard Randy Culpepper can light it up. . They humiliated the Tigers by 27 last week.

MM: They’re old, experienced and playing on their floor. Led by a starting five that includes four seniors, two of whom are Memphis natives, the Miners are the team to beat. Sheffield High product Randy Culpepper’s ability to penetrate on the offensive end and the Miners’ defensive intensity will decide if they’re dancing Saturday morning.

JM: My wild card pick. They beat The U of M on Tuesday, 68-57, in their home finale. They hung with theTigers on Jan. 8 until the final seconds. Senior guard Brock Young was a first-team C-USA selection. Seniors Jontae Sherrod and Jamar Abrams are capable of taking a game over.

MM: The Pirates have had a lackluster sea-son, but they have picked up the pace as of late. Senior John K. Sherrod will need to be spectacular for them to win.

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Because former players like Anderson helped the program reach new heights, Pastner said he understands their frustration after losses to C-USA teams.

“You cannot just sit there and enjoy the praise when things are good,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to take the heat and the criticism. And at this level of a program, there’s going to be heat. There’s going to be people on you. There’s going to be darts thrown. That’s part of it. And if you think it’s going to be just all rosy, you’re living in a dream world.”

Of course, the 2010-11 season has not played out the way most envisioned, former players includ-ed. Pastner dismissed freshman Jelan Kendrick, who transferred to Ole Miss, from the team before the season started. Junior forward Angel Garcia was unhappy with his role and defected to Spain to play professionally.

Junior forward Wesley Witherspoon, who was expected to be the Tigers’ best player, has proven more of a headache than the voice of experience Pastner needed him to be.

Regardless, the Tigers still have a lot to play for, Pastner said. A win against Tulane on Saturday ensures a first-round bye in the C-USA tournament in El Paso next week, and after their loss to East Carolina Tuesday, an automatic bid is the Tigers’ lone way into the NCAA tournament.

“Our basketball season is a little like life,” Pastner said. “We’ve been on a bit of a roller coaster, but we’re coming down to this point in the season where we’ve got no option but to stay mentally strong and to remain very positive because any-thing can happen.”

NeGaTIVITYfrom page 7

Who earns a ticketto the Big Dance?

Basketball

BY JOHn mARTin AnD miKe mUeLLeRSports and Managing Editors

Sports editor John Martin and managing editor Mike Mueller sat down and agreed on four teams that could win the Conference USA tournament in El Paso, Texas. They disagreed on two others. Here’s who can win, and why:

TEXAS AT EL PASO SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI STATE

ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM EAST CAROLINA SOUTHERN METHODISTUNIVERSITY OF MEMPHISJM: At least co-champions of C-USA. Like UTEP, they’ve got lots of experience. Junior forward Cameron Moore, one of the best players in C-USA, returned from a broken left hand on Feb. 26. Freshman guard Preston Purifoy has developed into a legitimate offensive threat.

MM: With big man Cameron Moore’s return from a broken hand just last week, the success of the Blazers falls largely on his effectiveness. C-USA’s second leading rebounder will take pressure off lowerclass-men Ovie Soko and Preston Purifoy down low. Senior guard Jamarr Sanders also looms large: When he plays well, so does UAB.

MM: If the Mustangs take the conference crown, they’ll ask the rest of CUSA, “Who’s your Daddy?” And the answer will be SMU’s senior big man Papa Dia. He’s the beginning, middle and end for Matt Dougherty’s team. If no one stops Papa, it’s going to be tough to stop the ‘Stangs.

JM: They’re motivated. Freshman guard Will Barton is overdue for a big game. They’ve got something to prove. It’s senior forward Will Coleman’s last chance to turn his unim-pressive season around. At some point, the 3-pointers will go down. There’s no bet-ter time than the C-USA tournament.

MM: Get the ball inside. If these Tigers are going to hang a C-USA banner in FedExForum, it all starts in the paint. Working inside-out will help the Tigers avoid scoreless stretches. If the threes aren’t falling, Coleman, Tarik Black and Wesley Witherspoon will have to perform consistently well for Memphis to earn the automatic bid.

Who’s your pick for C-USA tournament champion? Send

us your thoughts via Twitter, tagged #tigerbabble.