MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis has Final Four potential for three reasons: Chris Massie's presence inside, Dajuan Wagner's scoring ability and Kelly Wise's acceptance that he's not the first option.

Surprised by the first one?

Just wait until Memphis plays.

Massie is massive in the paint and has the potential to be the best junior college transfer this season, let alone newcomer.

	John Calipari has assembled his best team in Memphis since his days in Massachusetts.

The 6-foot-9, 253-pound Massie bulls his way around the post whenever he gets the ball within four feet. He's strong enough to muscle his way for the second or third shots if he misses the first. He can seal in the post and put his wide behind on a defender to get position. And he has range, able to run the floor and pull up for a mid-range jumper, and at times, even a 3-pointer.

But, the most amazing thing about Massie is his knowledge of the game after not playing in high school. He got his GED and worked for a Houston-area electrical company installing fixtures and outlets before he decided to go to junior college in Oxnard, Calif., after someone saw him playing in a pickup game. The 24-year old Massie was a consensus JUCO all-American last season, averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds, and was being considered as a possible NBA draft pick.

"I knew in the middle of last year that I better go to school because I didn't play too much basketball," Massie said. "The first time I played was in JC. All I ever did was play street ball."

Massie's game is more refined than a few pick-up moves learned in a park. But after years of calling his own fouls, he could have some issues with the three men in striped shirts. If he's on the court, though, the Tigers become one of the toughest teams to matchup against inside. Massie becomes the natural power forward with 7-foot junior Earl Barron as the center and Wise more of a small forward.

"Chris Massie is so strong down low that you just about have to tackle him to keep him from scoring," Memphis sophomore guard Scooter McFadgon said. "A touch foul won't work."

Calipari compares Massie to Larry Johnson or Anthony Mason. He feels comfortable that Massie can guard a smaller player on the perimeter if he has to, but is better suited to be a bear, to move around in the post.

Wise accepted that Massie was going to get as many -- if not more -- touches during practice and likely games. Wise almost gladly stepped aside and allowed Massie and Wagner to be the first two options, even after he was first-team all-Conference USA last season and led the Tigers in scoring with 15.3 points a game.

But Memphis was in the NIT last season and the Tigers plan on not just getting to the NCAAs, but making a Final Four run this season -- possibly the only one with Massie and Wagner.

Calipari was blunt with his staff in saying that if Wise was the first option then the Tigers were not going to be a great team. But, with Wise as the third option, then essentially "look out."

"It's going to be hard to match up against all three of us when we're on the floor," said the 6-10 Wise of the starting frontcourt, not to mention a trio of legit backups in 6-8 Arthur Barclay, 6-10 Modibo Diarra and 6-9 Duane Erwin. "We've got size, depth, quickness and shooting. We'll be disappointed if we don't make it to the Final Four."

Massie expects there to be enough touches to go around. No one seems to be challenging that Massie and Wagner will be the first two options.

"We've got two guys in Dajuan and Massie who demand the ball," Calipari said. "The other guys like Scooter McFadgon and Kelly Wise will make plays. We've got another one in point Antonio Burks who will do the same. I would say we are ahead of schedule."

An understatement, considering this is Calipari's second season. But, as McFadgon said, any team that added Massie and Wagner in the same season would be considered a Final Four team. That is, as long as they all get along.

It's October, but for now, they all do.

"I always said I'd rather have high expectations than say win four or five games," Calipari said. "My first New Jersey Nets team was a pressure situation. Every game we walked into we knew we didn't have the talent. The pressure here is to prepare and create synergy and to motivate. I'd rather deal with this (than the Nets)."

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.