6:06 PM Wed, Mar 25, 2009 | Permalink
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We are in Memphis, Tennessee for the Sweet 16. We flew into town this evening (Memphis is in the Central Time Zone).
There's not a whole lot to report from here today...
Here are my first impressions of the city. It is very flat. I don't see a hill around here for miles. It's also very green, which is a nice break from brown Spokane. The "Home of the Blues" didn't disappoint. There was a restaurant in the airport (The Sun Cafe) with live music! There was also an Elvis store inside the airport (nothing says Memphis to me more than "The King"). I also love the Southern accent many of the people down here have..."ya'll."
I have to admit we are in a pretty prime location. We are staying at the Westin right across the street from the FedEx Forum (where the South Regional games will be played...also home to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies). The famous Beale Street is right around the corner (I'm sitting outside right now getting ready for the Bulldog Madness Special and I can hear Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire" echoing through the streets). The Memphis Rock n' Soul Museum is also right on the corner. There are also these cool horse drawn carriages all jazzed up with lights and so much more (I'll try to get video of them on the air before we get out of here). I have a feeling this place could be pretty fun (if we didn't have to work 15 hour days). We'll try to squeak out some excitement while we are here...more importantly...hopefully GU can get a couple of wins.
The Zags flew into town today as well...they left Spokane around 11:30am. They hit the court here in Memphis for the first time tomorrow. Gonzaga will hold a closed practice at an off-site location, and then come to the FedEx Forum for an open-to-the-public shoot around at 11am (it's just like what they did in Portland). The Zags will then meet with the media starting at 12pm. We'll stream that press conference live on KREM.com.
North Carolina runs on a very similar schedule as the Bulldogs. They hold their press conference at 12:30pm, and then practice at 1pm. We'll also stream the Tar Heels news conference live on KREM.com, so stay tuned for that.
My photographer Brett Allbery and I will be working hard here in Memphis to gather the best stories, interviews, and information surrounding the Sweet 16. We'll have reports from The River City tomorrow at 6, 10, and 11.
I'll also be blogging from Memphis everyday, giving you the best behind-the-scenes look at the South Regional. This one is a little shorter because not much has really happened yet...and we haven't had a chance to venture around the city. From here on out the blogs will be much more in-depth. If you have any questions, comments, or want to know ANYTHING. Please feel free to leave a comment or ask below.
Hey Tim, glad to hear your [short] time in Memphis has been good so far. I grew up there and my folks still live there. It's an awesome city! Go have some drinks (*ahem*...sweet tea, of course) on Beale Street and get a good nights rest. If you think it's nuts tonight (Wednesday) just wait until the weekend! They hold free concerts in the park across the street from Autozone Park. Don't forget to head up to The Pyramid and take a quick look, I had a lot of great memories watching to Tigers play at the "Tomb of Doom". If you do nothing else, make absolutely sure you have some bbq. Corky's has gone down hill, but The Rendezvous (downtown) and Germantown Commissary (Germantown, duh!) are simply to die for. Lemme know if you have any questions about where to go/not to go.
Chris
Pullman, WA
Tim,
Y'ALL is a contraction of "you all" (as opposed to YA'LL). That from a college professor down that way...
Looking forwad to watching the Zags kick @$$...
Tim:
enjoy your blogs. For gosh sakes please yell for all of us back home who would LOVE to be there if we could. Zags all the way BABY!!!
Thanks,
Tom H.
Thanks for the comments!
I'll be sure to use "y'all" from here on out. Thanks for the heads up. Sorry I had to edit your comment a little bit. I think we are all excited to see the Zags kick a little tail!
Tom...the media isn't allowed to cheer. Otherwise, I would be going nuts out there. I can't explain how hard it is to keep my mouth shut! We need some GU fans to show up...there is no one here (there are plenty of fans from the other schools).
Chris...thanks for all the recommendations! I've heard The Rendezvous is great. We might head there tonight (Thursday). Our morning weather guy Jason Kadah said it was "a must" as well.
I'll try to get to the "Tomb of Doom" if I can. I saw it from the airplane. I had no idea Memphis played in an actual pyramid...I always just thought it was a name.
Any other tips are welcome!
Memphis truly is a great city. The people here are so friendly (everyone smiles and says hello). I really hope I can spend the entire weekend here.
Go Zags!!!