Memphis basketball has made a name for itself in recent years as a significant threat in non-conference play. From 2021 to 2024, Penny Hardaway's Tigers are 31-8 outside American Conference play in the regular season. That stretch includes wins over UConn, Clemson, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Texas A&M, Auburn, Vanderbil…

The storied Memphis-Louisville basketball rivalry resumes Dec. 13, 2025, after an eight-year hiatus. And, for that, we are thankful. In fact, we should never again be left to wonder when the next time the Tigers and Cardinals will play. They should square off regularly no matter what. In this case, the upcoming meeting at the KFC Yum! Center is the…

Penny Hardaway and his Memphis basketball Tigers are gearing up for an important stretch of games, starting with New Orleans on Dec. 3. It continues with Baylor, then Louisville, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. And how the team fares might have major March Madness at-large candidacy implications. With that in mind, will the recent debut of forwar…

There's only one way to absorb a 1-4 start that includes a four-game losing streak. Recovering from such a thing won't be easy. It may even be impossible. But the Memphis basketball team can dig itself out of the hole it's in. So says Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, he and Tiger footb…

Two games into the regular season, Memphis basketball fans seem to be either heartened by the Tigers' play or resigned to a ho-hum existence that may or may not result in a March Madness appearance. There isn't much in-between. Penny Hardaway has his team off to a 1-1 start with a home win over San Francisco and a road loss to Ole Miss. Where do we…

The Memphis basketball team lost to Arkansas and Auburn by more than 20 points apiece in a pair of lopsided exhibition games. Are those results harbingers of dark days ahead for the Tigers, who open the regular season against San Francisco (2 p.m., Nov. 8, ESPN+)? Or, are they merely a mirage? The answer is simple: We don't know. On this week's epi…

Any discussion about preseason exhibition college basketball should feature a healthy dose of nuance. The Memphis basketball team's 99-75 loss to Arkansas is no exception. The result is the result, but it's far from the most important thing. If nothing else, it did nothing to put a damper on the Tigers' confidence level about this season. The oppos…

For the first time in more than 20 years, Memphis basketball will host the Arkansas Razorbacks. Sure, it's an exhibition game (part of the second annual Hoops For St. Jude Tip Off Classic). It won't count toward either program's record. It won't help either team in the standings. It won't do anything for their March Madness outlook. But John Calipa…

We, here at The Commercial Appeal, recognize it can be difficult to keep up with the vast amount of roster turnover Memphis basketball undergoes each season. But especially this season. All 15 players on Penny Hardaway's 2025-26 roster were members of someone else's roster last season. Top to bottom: they're all brand new to the Tigers. Well, almos…

Anticipation is building at the University of Memphis. Football season kicks off on Aug. 30. The nationally-ranked women's soccer team is undefeated with a home game against top-5 Tennessee coming up. Penny Hardaway has finalized his roster and his non-conference schedule. And what will university leadership's next move be in its effort to get into…

The Big 12 apparently wants no part of Memphis. The Tigers reportedly put together a pitch to join the power conference that was unprecedented. Yet the Big 12 was so unmoved by it that it did not even rise to the level where the league's presidents put it to a vote. What does that say about the Big 12? What does it say about Memphis? On this week's…

One piece of the Pac-12 media rights-slash-conference realignment puzzle was put in place on June 23. That's when CBS Sports and the new version of the one-time power league announced they were extending their broadcast partnership through 2031. It is a big step for the Pac-12, whose rebuilding efforts have (to varying degrees) been linked to Memph…

The Memphis basketball offseason is usually a fun ride. This year is no exception. Of course, Penny Hardaway has rebuilt his entire roster from scratch - a task that takes into account the transfer of All-American guard PJ Haggerty. There is also the ongoing wait for star big man Dain Dainja's eligibility ruling and the news that Memphis missed out…

The Memphis basketball team's offseason began sooner than most expected. And it began sooner than any Tiger or Tiger fan hoped it would. But last week's March Madness loss to Colorado State means this chapter is closed and a new one has already begun. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan examine where t…

The Memphis Tigers are facing the Colorado State Rams Friday in March Madness. Both teams are very good. Both teams are very hot. Both teams have superstar-level talent. Both teams won their conference tournaments. Both teams are well coached. Memphis is a 5-seed, while Colorado State is a 12-seed. But it's the Rams who are favored to win. And it's…

PJ Haggerty went off Friday at the AAC tournament. Memphis' All-American guard dropped 42 points against Wichita State and the Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the AAC tournament. From Fort Worth (deep inside the bowels of Dickies Arena) Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan react to Haggerty's performance, update Dain Dainja's shoulder situation and look…

March Madness is upon us. Sure, the Tigers still have their regular-season finale on Friday against South Florida. But, with the AAC tournament up next and the NCAA tournament after that, Memphis is ready for the Madness. On this week's Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan break down the week that was for Memphis, as it defeated UAB…

The stage is set: Memphis vs. UAB. The 18th-ranked and first-place Tigers will travel to Birmingham Sunday to face the Blazers, who are nipping at their heels with the regular season drawing to a close. On this week's episode, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan set up the most anticipated AAC matchup of the season - exploring the heat between Dain Dainja a…

The Memphis basketball team took a significant body blow by losing at Wichita State last week. But it's not the knockout punch some might think. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan look back at where things went wrong for Penny Hardaway and his team in the overtime road loss. Munz and Dylan also get in…

The Memphis basketball team may or may not have starting point guard Tyrese Hunter on the floor Thursday at South Florida. The 14th-ranked and first-place Tigers (20-4, 10-1 AAC) will make an official decision before tip-off at the Yuengling Center in Tampa. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan weigh in…

The Tigers have won six games in a row and 10 of their last 11, after beating Tulsa Wednesday. Most NCAA Tournament projections have Penny Hardaway's team as a 4-, 5- or 6-seed. But Memphis' computer-based (metrics) rankings do not match up with that. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan discuss why the…

The Memphis Tigers packed a lot to like into one basketball game against UAB last week. But what was the most eye-popping part of Penny Hardaway's team's 100-77 win at FedExForum? On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan relive the highlights of Memphis' performance against the Blazers, which include Dain D…

The Memphis basketball team has positioned itself well within the March Madness bracketology landscape. The Tigers are 14-4 and tied for first place in the AAC at 4-1. The Tigers have five Quad 1 wins. The Tigers are currently projected by some as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But wins and losses will only take the Tigers so far. Penny Harda…

Penny Hardaway's Memphis basketball team largely controls its own March Madness destiny. The Tigers have, so far, put together a near-sterling NCAA Tournament resumé. But the metrics-driven NET rankings don't exactly reflect that, at present. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan delve into why there is…

Penny Hardaway has done it again. The Memphis Tigers coach is developing yet another bona fide superstar, in PJ Haggerty, right before our eyes. The Tulsa transfer has led the way for No. 20 Memphis this season, most recently lifted the team with a highlight-reel, circus, 30-foot 3-pointer to help it beat North Texas. On this week's episode of the …

Penny Hardaway's Memphis basketball team is No. 21 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 and 25th in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. The Tigers are 10-3, and have more Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins (eight) than any other team in the nation. They've beaten UConn, Michigan State, Clemson, Ole Miss, Missouri, San Francisco and others. Does Hardaway have a gripe…

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway guided the Tigers to a 2-0 ACC road trip over the past week. Because of that, the team is occupying more space in the within the national landscape than perhaps it ever has under Hardaway. Memphis is 9-2 overall with seven of its wins qualifying as valuable Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories. With still more resume'…

Memphis basketball took a "bad loss" on Sunday, falling to Arkansas State at FedExForum. This is after the Tigers beat UConn, Michigan State, Missouri and San Francisco (among others). Does that mean the Tigers are "doomed" to repeat the same movie that played out last season? Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan answer that question, preview upcoming games …

Memphis is riding high after another fast start. The Tigers are 6-1 and ranked No. 15 in this week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll - their only loss to No. 2 Auburn. Who can forget how things played out last season, when Memphis fell apart down the stretch after becoming a top-10 team in January? On this week's episode, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan explain …

Penny Hardaway and his Memphis basketball team are facing what could be the toughest four-game stretch in recent memory this week and next week. The Tigers get San Francisco first at the Chase Center, then open the Maui Invitational versus No. 2 UConn next week. On this week's episode, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan discuss what would constitute a succ…

The Memphis basketball team is 2-0 thanks to rallies from double-digits deficits in each game, both keyed by heavy lifting from PJ Haggerty. On this week's episode, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan break down the win over UNLV and Haggerty's latest standout performance. They also analyze Penny Hardaway's plans for Dain Dainja and Moussa Cisse, before del…

On this week's episode, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan break down Memphis' come-from-behind win over Missouri in the season opener, offer up the last word on the Tyreek Smith saga, and look ahead to Saturday's UNLV game.Autor: The Commercial Appeal

Penny Hardaway's Memphis basketball team opens the regular season against Missouri on Nov. 4. Before that, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz put a bow on the Tigers' preseason exhibition games, examining the top takeaways and concerns, and breaking down the potential strengths and weaknesses.Autor: The Commercial Appeal

Memphis basketball player Tyreek Smith took a little break from the Tigers and Penny Hardaway's team is gearing up to face Alabama on Oct. 28. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, basketball beat writer Jason Munz and football beat writer Jonah Dylan answer the when's, why's and what happened's surrounding the Smith saga that beg…

It was a busy week in Memphis basketball-land. With the release of the preseason AAC coaches' poll, AAC Media Day and the Hoops For St. Jude Tip Off Classic for both the men's and women's teams, there is a lot to unpack. The Tigers lost to North Carolina 84-76 on Oct. 15, while the women's team lost to defending national champion South Carolina 106…

After a dizzying offseason, Memphis basketball is finally ready to reveal itself. The Tigers will face North Carolina in an exhibition game (as part of the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic) at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 at FedExForum. Memphis women's basketball will host defending national champion South Carolina immediately afterward. Tiger football beat…

The Memphis basketball offseason began much sooner than expected after the Tigers lost to FAU in the first round of the NCAA tournament last week. Reconciling that disappointment with all the positive strides the program made over the course of the 2022-23 season might take some time. Beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto, on this wee…

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway is building toward something. Has it taken longer than some people − possibly even he − expected? Yes, it has. But last week's win over No. 2 Houston, then the No. 1 team in the country, clinched the first league championship for the program in a decade. It represents the high-water mark of the Hardaway-as-co…

The Memphis basketball team is hitting the reset button this week. The Tigers (23-8) ended the regular season in second place, their best finish since joining the AAC in 2013. But that doesn't much matter in the postseason, when every team has a clean slate. Penny Hardaway's team will be the No. 2 seed at this week's conference tournament at Dickie…

Memphis basketball believes it belongs in the NCAA Tournament. But the Tigers also know there's still work to be done. That work continues Thursday, when Memphis travels to Dallas to face SMU and, then, returns home to host No. 1 Houston on Sunday. On this week's edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Gia…

Memphis basketball should be hungrier than ever after its 72-64 loss to Houston, this week's new No. 1 team in the nation. “That’s exactly what I told the team,” Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said outside the team’s locker room. “We played with a 90% (Alex Lomax), kind of a 60% Malcolm (Dandridge) and no (Kendric Davis) and still had an opportunity t…

The Memphis basketball team rebounded from a disappointing loss to Tulane with a business-like win at USF. But the damage was done. Most bracketologists have the Tigers squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble with seven regular-season games left. Two of their remaining games are against Houston. Did Memphis' loss to Tulane do so much damage that bea…

Tulane. USF. Temple. UCF. That is what is left of the road ahead of Memphis basketball before it arrives at Houston. The Tigers, 17-5 overall and 7-2 in AAC play, are in a good spot. Is it a good enough spot that they can afford a bad loss? On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto w…

Memphis basketball has won its last three games, two of them coming on the road. Penny Hardaway's teams have a history of settling into a deep groove around this time of year. Since 2020-21, the Tigers are 28-6 after Jan. 20. Can this Memphis team keep that trend going? If so, what does a realistic finish look like? And, based on that finish, what …

Penny Hardaway called the timeout that Kendric Davis said is "the reason we won." Davis actually hit the shot as time expired to lift Memphis basketball to a 61-59 win at Temple last week. The victory kept the Tigers (13-5, 3-2 AAC) on the projected NCAA Tournament bubble. But, on the heels of an excruciating double-overtime road loss to UCF just f…

The Memphis basketball team closed the 2021-22 regular season by winning 10 of its last 11 games. The Tigers needed every single one of them − and then some, ultimately − in order to reach the NCAA Tournament. Almost a year later, Memphis might need to pull off something similar, because Penny Hardaway's team is right back on the bubble. The Tigers…

Memphis basketball is 3-2 in its last five games and has allowed an average of 86.2 points per outing during that stretch. Last week's Quad 2 loss at Tulane has given pause to more than a few people's optimistic outlook on the Tigers' prospects the rest of the way. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and c…

Memphis basketball has traversed the bulk of its non-conference schedule in favorable fashion. The Tigers (8-3) have Texas A&M (6 p.m. Saturday) and Alabama State (8 p.m. Dec. 21) left before entering AAC play. They will likely be favored in every game the rest of the season − with the likely exceptions being the two games against top-5 Houston. On…

Extreme early-season narratives are nothing new. Hot takes, knee-jerk reactions and Monday-morning quarterbacking are universally a part of sports. Seven games into this Memphis basketball season, there has been plenty of all three. One that has popped up frequently so far is the notion that this season's brand of Tiger basketball isn't as exciting…

Memphis basketball is 2-1 and headed to Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational. The Tigers most recently dismantled VCU, rebounding from a tough loss at Saint Louis. Kendric Davis scored 26 points and dished out 7 assists. Meanwhile, the defense shut the Rams down. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and…