I'll try to do periodic updates on how the the out-of-town members of the Tigers' 2010 recruiting class are doing this year. It's a bit early, but here's what I found.

WILL BARTON, Brewster (N.H.) Academy: The standout of his unbeaten (4-0) team thus far. He's scored 99 points in four games, including an opening game in which he scored 29 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.

JELAN KENDRICK, Wheeler (Ga.) High School: Hasn't started playing.

HIPPOLYTE TSAFACK, Miller (Va.) School: Hasn't started playing.

ANTONIO BARTON, Notre Dame (Mass.) Prep: His team is 9-1 following Wednesday's 104-93 victory. Barton was one of five Crusaders in double figures with 11.

Over on jacketsonline.com, Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer answers questions. The first came from Memphis and asked how the 2010 Tigers recruiting class ranked over the past four years.

His answer? Josh Pastner's first class is better than UCLA of 08 and Florida of 07, but not as good as North Carolina of 06 or Kentucky of 09.

      The University of Memphis ends its season, and the coach Tommy West era, with Conference USA road games at Houston (Saturday) and Tulsa (Nov. 27). Here's a position-by-position breakdown of Saturday's game at Robertson Stadium in Houston. (Kickoff is at noon and the game will be carried by CSS).

Quarterbacks

      Houston's Case Keenum leads the nation in passing yardage and has thrown 31 touchdowns. He attracted Heisman Trophy talk earlier this season. Great decision-maker. Plays quick. Uncanny accuracy. Calm under pressure. Memphis is getting solid play from sixth-year senior Will Hudgens, who started the season as a reserve. EDGE: Houston.

Running backs

      Houston and Memphis are practically even at this position. The Cougars average 134 yards rushing. Memphis averages 139. But the Tigers have one of the league's most productive, consistent backs in senior Curtis Steele. Steele isn't known for busting long runs, but he is rewarded repeatedly for his patience and vision. EDGE: Memphis.

Receivers

      By virtue of having one of the nation's top quarterbacks, Houston's receivers benefit. Three Cougar receivers rank among the league's top five in receptions per game. James Cleveland, an Iowa transfer, averages 8.2 catches to lead C-USA. Memphis' Duke Calhoun is having an all-conference season for a struggling Tiger team. EDGE: Houston.

Offensive line

      Memphis' young offensive line was developing into a solid unit before injuries struck. Starting center Brad Paul missed last weekend's UAB game with an elbow injury, but should play against Houston. Guard Dominik Riley is out with a knee injury. Houston's front line is stocked with Texas transfer Roy Watts at left tackle and all-conference candidates Carl Barnett at center and Chris Thompson at right guard. EDGE: Houston.

Defensive line

      Here's another position hit by the injury bug for the Tigers. But the encouraging news is defensive end Jada Brown (neck) and Justin Thompson (knee) may play after missing the past three games. Houston's defensive front includes rush end Tyrell Graham, an Arkansas transfer, but Cougars rank last in C-USA in rush defense at 213 yards per game and 10th in total defense. EDGE: Memphis.

Linebackers

      Memphis' best linebacker, Greg Jackson, is another doubtful participant after a stinger (neck injury) he suffered in the loss to UAB. There will be mismatches created by Houston's speedy receiving corps. Houston's linebackers are young as freshman Phillip Steward starts at one outside spot and sophomore Marcus McGraw starts in the middle. EDGE: Even.

Secondary

      Detecting an injury theme here? Memphis may play without its best safety -- former Florida State player Marcus Ball -- because of a foot injury. Top cover corner D.A. Griffin has a severe ankle injury. Safety Alton Starr plays at about 80 percent because of a knee injury suffered in the bowl game last year. The Cougars' defensive backfield, led by veteran cornerback Brandon Brinkley, is better. EDGE: Houston.

Special teams

      Here's all you need to know to judge this category. Houston's Tyron Carrier has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns and is averaging 27.3 yards per return, while Devin Mays had a 100-yard kick return for a TD against UCF last week. Memphis hasn't returned a kickoff for a TD since 1996. EDGE: Houston.

Intangibles

      Houston desperately needs to get back atop the West Division after a shocking loss last weekend at UCF. Expect the Cougars to show little mercy against a struggling, overmatched, injury-riddled team playing in its next-to-last game for fired coach Tommy West. If Houston wins out and SMU drops one of its remaining games, the Cougars are division champions. EDGE: Houston.

 

One of the few bright spots in this dismal New Jersey Nets season has been Chris Douglas-Roberts.

And according to Netsarescorching.com blog site, he's taking the 0-12 start the hardest.

While I'm sure no one on the Nets appreciates the 0-12 start, CDR seems to be taking it the hardest. CDR's total disgust for losing has led to some really eye-opening post-game quotes this season. Remember, it was CDR who challenged his teammates after a humiliating blowout loss to Washington to foul harder and to "protect each other." Then, when CDR posted his first career double-double against the Pacers earlier this week, the Memphis alumn responded to reporters with this nugget:

It's nothing if we don't win," Douglas-Roberts said. "My numbers don't matter if we're losing, because you're labeled a 'loser.' It doesn't matter what you're doing on a losing team - nobody cares. I know I don't.

The Grizzlies got their third victory of the season Wednesday and signed a new point guard. Find out what Ronald Tillery thinks about it all and bring your questions for him.

For the time being, the Memphis Tigers have drawn the No. 1 rank in 2010 recruiting classes, according to ESPN.com. The Tigers are followed by Ohio State, North Carolina, Syracuse and Michigan State, in that order, in the top 5.

ESPN.com warns that the rankings could change because standouts Tobias Hararis, Brandon Knight, Josh Selby and C.J. Leslie haven't announced their intentions yet.

Still, they acknowledge that new Tigers coach Josh Pastner "is proving to be a tireless recruiter."

Tuesday night's Tigers-Kansas game drew a lot of attention from writers around the country. Here's some reading for you on a gray Wednesday:

** Jason King of Yahoo! Sports has good things to say about how the Tigers performed.

** Dana O'Neil sums up the game by saying Kansas isn't invincible and the Tigers aren't going away.

** On SI.com, Alexander Wolff writes about Pastner under the headline "Boy wonder coach Josh Pastner will keep Memphis winning."

** Andrew Sharp blogs on SBNation.com that the Tigers proved they can battle with the best.

** Even Deadspin got into the act.

According to Adam Sparks, beat reporter covering Middle Tennessee State football for the Murfreesboro Daily Journal, the Memphis football job isn't much of a step up from MTSU. The money is better. The conference has more bowl options. But is that everything?

What do you guys think?

UPDATE!!!: As Phil Stukenborg wrote a bit ago today, Stockstill has taken his name off the table.

Seems the two were football opponents in high school in Georgia. From there, the paths went separate ways. Barnhart became a journalist, West played football at Tennessee and then became a coach.

The gist of Barnhart's blog is that Tommy West is a class act.

If Josh Pastner hadn't been a bit busy Tuesday night in St. Louis, he could have seen two of his future players go at it in Memphis.

Sheffield High School's Chris Crawford, a member of the Tigers' six-pack of signees, went for 35 points as his team edged Ridgeway, 74-72, in overtime. The Roadrunners were paced by the newest of the signee six-pack, Tarik Black, who knocked down 23.

You can read about the game here.

And note this: Ridgeway plays White Station (and another Tiger signee, guard Joe Jackson) tonight in an MIAA jamboree at Wooddale.