On paper, this team could have been scary. Dajuan Wagner. Qyntel Woods. Amare Stoudemire. Kendrick Perkins.

Those are the names of four guys -- four NBA first-round draft picks -- who could, at least in theory, be playing for the University of Memphis this season. Instead, each is a millionaire with a pro jersey, and thus the Tigers are left wondering what might have been.

Or not. "We'll play the hand that's dealt us, and we'll be fine," said Memphis coach John Calipari. "I like my team."

FRONTCOURT

While waiting on Chris Massie to become eligible at the end of the first semester last season, Calipari openly complained about his lack of a post presence and even played four guards at times. This year should be more of the same, with the only difference being that there is no difference-maker coming in December.

With Massie's eligibility exhausted and Perkins shunning college altogether, the Tigers are extremely light in the frontcourt and likely will count on little-used Duane Erwin to man the middle. A 6-foot-9 junior, Erwin averaged just 2.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest last year. Regardless, he's Memphis' most dependable post player and probably will get 30-plus minutes per game whether he's ready or not.

"What a great opportunity for Duane Erwin," Calipari said. "This is the year for him. He's showed signs of being really good. Well, now we'll keep him on the floor for 35 minutes, and let's see how he blocks shots, rebounds and plays."

The Tigers' lack of prominent big men again will force Calipari to use a small lineup that looks to push the ball and score in transition. That means two natural wings -- Billy Richmond, a 6-5 junior, and Sean Banks, a 6-8 freshman -- likely will spend time at the 4 position and be counted on to rebound and defend opponents' power forwards in a similar fashion to the now-departed John Grice. Playing small also will put pressure on small forward Rodney Carney to improve on his 4.8 boards per contest, which is certainly possible considering the high-flying sophomore can go above the square.

The X-factor in all this is Almamy Thiero, a 6-10 bruiser who was supposed to compete for a starting job last season but instead had leg surgery and played just two minutes while never fully recovering. The Mali native had another surgery on the same leg this summer and is expected to be available in November. We'll see.

BACKCOURT

The Tigers' strength clearly comes from the guard position and starts with a sparkplug named Antonio Burks. A 6-foot point, Burks has run Calipari's club for each of the past two seasons and will do so again while providing the senior leadership Memphis needs.

Burks is an above-average shooter from 15 feet and as fast as they come in college basketball from baseline to baseline. He averaged 9.7 points per game as a junior and is expected to produce all-league type numbers this year.

Playing opposite Burks will be Anthony Rice, a 6-4 junior who probably isn't capable of taking over a game but is solid nonetheless. He was the second-leading 3-point shooter on the team last season and started 29 of 30 games.

And the third guy in the backcourt -- and likely first off the bench -- will be Jeremy Hunt, a local product whom Calipari routinely refers to as his "best player." A 6-4 sophomore, Hunt is arguably the hardest-working Tiger, and despite a nagging foot injury last year averaged 9.4 points per game.

"He's the best of the bunch from this town," Calipari said of Hunt, a gym rat who can play either guard position. "He's good."

FINAL ANALYSIS

This will be Calipari's fourth season at Memphis. And though the city still very much has Cal fever, there are those who wonder if just one NCAA Tournament appearance to date -- a first-round loss to Ike Diogu and Arizona State last March -- is enough return for the more than $1 million per year the coach is making.

From the glass is half-full section, Calipari has been building this program even with the unexpected losses in personnel and now has a roster loaded with top 100 recruits. The Tigers still have as much or more talent than everybody in C-USA, with the exception of Cincinnati, and could compete for the league title again. Anything less will be -- at least to Memphis fans -- a disappointment.

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