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 beating the Cougars at least once is the only way to make up for it? Or, can the Tigers still get into the NCAA Tournament without taking down the No. 2 ...
Feb 09, 2023•34 min
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 weigh in on that. They also debate this hypothetical: If Memphis has to face either Alabama or Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, which team would the T...
Feb 02, 2023•31 min
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 can fans expect the Tigers' NCAA Tournament seeding to be? On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnis...
Jan 25, 2023•36 min
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 four days earlier, it might have also given the team a much needed shot in the arm. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer...
Jan 18, 2023•36 min
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 are 4-3 in their last seven games and missed prime opportunities to distance themselves from the bubble, losing by 3 points at Alabama and falling in...
Jan 13, 2023•37 min
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 columnist Mark Giannotto examine the implications of that setback against the Green Wave, discuss the primary factors behind some of the shakiness of ...
Jan 05, 2023•28 min
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 this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine the possibility that this Memphi...
Dec 15, 2022•33 min
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 as those many have become accustomed to under coach Penny Hardaway. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz an...
Dec 02, 2022•36 min
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 columnist Mark Giannotto discuss which one of the two is the most important development for Memphis moving forward. They also provide the latest upda...
Nov 23, 2022•40 min
The reaction Memphis basketball team's loss at Saint Louis varied widely. Some viewed it as a winnable game in which the Tigers doomed themselves by neither shooting nor defending well enough. Others came away from it encouraged by the fight and resolve Penny Hardaway's team exhibited in the closing minutes. And others still acknowledged both good and bad. All of which is OK. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto explain why t...
Nov 17, 2022•39 min
Memphis basketball − devoid of "chaos," as DeAndre Williams put it − calmly dismantled Vanderbilt Monday, kicking off the 2022-23 season with a 76-67 win. It was the exclamation point on a three-day stretch of success for Penny Hardaway on and off the court. On Saturday, he landed 5-star guard Mikey Williams and 4-star wing JJ Taylor. On Sunday, Hardaway earned a pledge from 3-star wing David Tubek. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark...
Nov 09, 2022•36 min
The regular season is finally upon us. In less than a week, the Memphis basketball team will make the short trek to Nashville, where it will meet Vanderbilt (7 p.m., Monday, Memorial Gymnasium). Before we get there, though, there are still a few things to unpack from the Tigers' preseason showings. There are also some new details with regard to UIC transfer Damaria Franklin's pursuit of immediate eligibility. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and colu...
Nov 03, 2022•38 min
It was only one game − and an exhibition at that. But that doesn't mean there's not plenty to break down and analyze from Memphis basketball's 69-60 preseason win over Christian Brothers University last week. Who looked good and who didn't. What is worth worrying about and what's not. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto offer their respective perspectives on where the program stands after one exhibition game, what they'll be...
Oct 26, 2022•32 min
It’s (exhibition) game week! The newest iteration of the Memphis basketball team will make its on-court preseason debut when it locks up with Christian Brothers at 4 p.m. Sunday at FedExForum. In this week’s episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into the top storylines around Penny Hardaway’s program – specifically, what the Tigers’ starting lineup and rotation might look like this season and the common thread throughout this preseason...
Oct 19, 2022•21 min
From the looks of things, the Memphis basketball team might well be on its way back toward the top of the metrics leaderboard in terms of defense. Two seasons ago, the Tigers were No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Last season, they dropped back to No. 33 in those same rankings. In last week's open practice, Penny Hardaway's team was split up for an intrasquad scrimmage in front of hundreds of fans and a couple dozen media members. Points (a combined 13) were at a premium. Elite-level defen...
Oct 05, 2022•30 min
The Memphis basketball program learned Tuesday it can officially put the years-long NCAA investigation behind it. Penny Hardaway and his Tigers, as determined by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, were completely absolved of the most severe allegations, receiving a few minor penalties for lesser infractions. That constituted a massive win for a lot of people. Who are the biggest winners? Is it possible the delivery of that news will wind up representing a huge springboard into th...
Sep 28, 2022•34 min
Memphis basketball's season may have ended, but the news around the program continues all the same. The Tigers, whose NCAA Tournament appearance was another positive step for coach Penny Hardaway and his team, have had a bit of a rough offseason thus far. Josh Minott declared for the NBA Draft. Third-year assistant coach Cody Toppert left for LSU. Three players, so far, have entered the transfer portal. And it all comes amid the emergence of new details in Memphis' ongoing NCAA infractions case....
Mar 31, 2022•42 min
The Memphis basketball team's exhilarating stretch run concluded last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers' appearance in the Big Dance – their first under coach Penny Hardaway and first since 2014 – will have a major impact on the program. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect the numerous benefits it could have. They also discuss Hardaway's growth as coach and detail Memphis' top priorities thi...
Mar 23, 2022•34 min
Penny Hardaway has gotten the Memphis basketball team to the round of 32 at the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers defeated Boise State Thursday at the Moda Center to score the program's first Big Dance victory in eight years. On this special edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto break down how Memphis beat the Broncos, highlight Hardaway and Alex Lomax and look ahead to Saturday's marquee matchup (8:40 p.m., TBS) versus Gonzaga, the No. 1 overall ...
Mar 18, 2022•33 min
Memphis, the 9 seed, and Boise State, the 8 seed. The Tigers and Broncos are, on paper, at least, as evenly matched as they come. But, should the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee have put two of the hottest teams in the country against one another in the first round? In this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into that topic. In addition, they look back at Memphis' AAC Tournament run and discuss how it might affect the tea...
Mar 15, 2022•39 min
Memphis polished off a white-hot stretch to end the season by pounding Houston. Now, the Tigers head to the AAC Tournament, hoping to carry that momentum with them. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto recap the scene inside FedExForum during last week's beatdown of Houston, put into perspective how far Memphis has come and examine the team's NCAA Tournament prospects.
Mar 08, 2022•33 min
Jalen Duren or Landers Nolley II? Coaching or free throw shooting? Rallying from behind or winning big? The Memphis basketball team's turnaround – winning eight of its last nine games – has been chock full of impressive moments and big-time performances. On this week's Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect some of the more under-appreciated aspects of the hot streak. In addition, Munz and Giannotto discuss Memphis' place on the bubble and looks ahe...
Mar 02, 2022•37 min
There's a lot riding on the next two weeks for the Memphis basketball team. It begins Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN2) when the Tigers welcome Temple to FedExForum. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine what went wrong in Memphis' loss at SMU, preview the upcoming game against the Owls and take a look at where the Tigers are positioned with regard to the big (NCAA Tournament) picture.
Feb 22, 2022•34 min
Down the stretch they come. Having won six straight – and with five games left in the regular season – the Memphis basketball team has put itself in a position where each game seems to be more important than the one before it. That may not be any truer than Sunday's matchup with SMU (2 p.m., ESPN). A win over the Mustangs would do a lot for the Tigers. Let us count the ways. Beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto get into that on this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, ...
Feb 17, 2022•46 min
The Memphis basketball team will take momentum built from a four-game winning streak into No. 6 Houston on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC). The Tigers aren't an NCAA Tournament team just yet. But the game against the Cougars marks an opportunity for them to prove they are. Which is impressive considering the damage Memphis did to its resumè earlier this season. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto discuss what has made the team's f...
Feb 10, 2022•39 min
The Memphis basketball team could make the trip to Cincinnati this week healthier than it has been in more than two months. Several Tigers (Landers Nolley II, Jalen Duren, Jayden Hardaway and DeAndre Williams) have each missed an extended amount of time in recent weeks due to various injuries. They might all be back for Thursday's game (7 p.m., ESPN2). If that's the case, it will certainly make Penny Hardaway happy. But it will also leave him and the rest of his staff with some potentially diffi...
Feb 01, 2022•38 min
Last time out, the Memphis basketball team beat Tulsa – the last-place team in the AAC – on the road by two points. But it feels like more than that. It feels like the Tigers might have saved their season from total catastrophe. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto break down Memphis' win at Tulsa, look back at Penny Hardaway's viral moment and dig in to how the schedule sets up for the Tigers over the next month....
Jan 25, 2022•37 min
Dull moments are few and far between for the Memphis basketball program these days. Coach Penny Hardaway, on the heels of back-to-back road losses to UCF and ECU, announced assistant coach Rasheed Wallace (a former NBA All-Star) has transitioned to a "consultant's role" and will work remotely the remainder of the season. The news was delivered just a day before the Tigers are due to host SMU (6 p.m. Thursday). On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and col...
Jan 19, 2022•31 min
If you're looking for dull moments in the 2021-22 Memphis basketball season up to this point, we wish you luck. Penny Hardaway and his Tigers, despite winning for the third time in four games Tuesday, left FedExForum in a foul mood after another chapter in what has been a rollercoaster couple of months. On this episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto look back on the victory over Tulsa, discuss the team's injury situation and examine some thin...
Jan 05, 2022•32 min
Memphis picked itself up off the mat Tuesday and delivered a resounding 92-78 win over eighth-ranked Alabama (No. 6 in this week's Associated Press poll). On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto relive some of the highlights, as well as some of the under-the-radar moments, from the win over the Crimson Tide. They also answer questions like, "How much damage from Memphis' four-game losing streak is mitigated by the upset victory?...
Dec 15, 2021•36 min
