Memphis basketball won a regular-season championship and closed its conference season with an AAC Tournament Championship.
General Information:
Team:Â Memphis
Location:Â Memphis, Tennessee
Record: 29-5 (17-2)
Head Coach:Â Penny Hardaway (7th season, all at Memphis)
What to know about Memphis basketball:
Memphis basketball made a splash in the Maui Invitational Presented by Novavax, where the Tigers truly started its resume with the win over UConn, Michigan State, and a matchup in the title game against Auburn that it lost 90-76. Memphis basketball ended its trip 2-1. The team had a nice opening win against Missouri Tigers, Clemson Tigers, and Ole Miss. The key losses include Arkansas State, Mississippi State, Temple, and Wichita State. The Memphis Tigers ended the season on an eight-game win streak.
Memphis basketball has put together one of its best team’s in a long time. The talent on this team is incredible, and with many rumors swirling around Hardaway being on the hot seat, the team has rolled on after a couple of tough matchups early with no wins over three points in the tournament. The AAC champions won decidedly over UAB 84-72. The stars shined for the Memphis Tigers. Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty showed out. Haggerty averaged 27.6 points per game, with Dainja on his heels, averaging 21 points per game in tournament play.
This team is a massive change as it has shown it can finish games. Last year’s first-round knockout from the AAC tournament, head coach Penny Hardaway declined the offer to be a part of the NIT, making it only the second time in his tenure that the Tigers wouldn’t have a postseason.
With the NIL, Hardaway did what he does best: recruit. He pulled in two of the conference’s best players: Haggerty, Colby Rogers, and PJ Carter. He continued to build with Dain Dainja from Illinois, Tyrese Hunter from Texas, and Baraka Okojie from George Mason and was able to bring back big man Moussa Cisse from Ole Miss.
The Memphis Tigers are known for their quick style of play, ability to make the three, and quick ball movement. This has caused issues, as the team has sometimes been out of sync and prone to turnovers. With their length and talent, this team can play solid defense but is unable to maintain focus for a full 40 minutes. The breakdown happens, but this team has no shortage of potential.
NCAA Tournament prediction for Memphis basketball: Final Four Exit
Projected seed: 5
Memphis basketball’s seeding was very much in the air, ranging from as low as a nine seed to as high as a five seed. The Tigers ended up in the West as a five-seed and will play Colorado State in Seattle, Washington. If the team wins, it will play four-seed Maryland or 13-seed Grand Canyon.
The Tigers’ woes have been frustrating for fans. First-weekend exits from the NCAA tournament have been an issue under coach Hardaway. The team lost to Florida Atlantic before their move from Conference USA and Gonzaga from the Western Athletic Conference. The question will remain: How disciplined can the Memphis Tigers be? If this team is not locked in, a first-weekend exit is incoming.
However, this team has solid depth and players who can contribute. Tyrese Hunter suffered a foot injury that kept him out of the Championship game. This leaves a big question mark for the Tigers. Okojie stepped up in a big way, adding a defensive spark for the team. Four players are shooting over 36% from 3-point range on this team. Four players are over 50% from 2-point range, with two players being in both of those categories.
The Tigers will lean heavily on PJ Haggerty, the AAC player of the year and most outstanding player, and first-team all-conference players Dain Dainja and Tyrese Hunter. Coach Hardaway and Memphis basketball need to take this one game at a time. If they do, no doubt this team could find itself in the Elite 8, if not the Final Four.