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Coach Cal Countdown: Michigan State, Texas wins were big ones before Memphis’ really big one

By , Daily Memphian Published: October 25, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Before you can win the really big one, you have to win the big one.

And John Calipari’s Tigers won two pretty big ones in a giddy 48-hour span at Houston’s Reliant Stadium as part of their run in 2008 to the NCAA championship game.

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John Varlas

John Varlas

John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.


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