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Tigers Basketball Insider: Time in Orlando, future MTEs will be vital for Memphis
 
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Memphis Tigers guard Alex Lomax (middle) drives to the basket against Lane College during action on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
 

Memphis Tigers guard Alex Lomax (middle) drives to the basket against Lane College during action on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Welcome to this week’s Tigers Basketball Insider. Below you’ll find the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Parth Upadhyaya, John Martin and Geoff Calkins.

It’s safe to say that, in many ways, Memphis’ recent trip to Florida expedited its growth.

The Tigers traveled to Orlando over Thanksgiving weekend to compete as one of eight teams in the ESPN Events Invitational. Coach Penny Hardaway’s group grabbed fifth place in a tournament that included Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Stanford, Nebraska, Florida State, Seton Hall and Siena.

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These early season multi-team events — better known as MTEs — are valuable for many reasons.

For one, it gives teams a chance to match up with solid non-conference competition it wouldn’t otherwise face. This is especially important for a program like Memphis, which plays in the AAC — a conference that’s gotten significantly weaker in recent years.

But, before competition begins and on off days, players hang out together poolside or spend time meeting each others’ families. They joke, they laugh and, most importantly, they bond.

“We’re still growing and we’re still bonding,” guard Alex Lomax said Sunday. “We haven’t even made it to our potential yet as a team.”

Hardaway also raved last week about how MTEs can simulate the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, where the Tigers, if they punch their ticket to the Big Dance, would compete against bigger, longer teams with little turnaround between games.

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Luckily for the fifth-year coach, his program has more of these opportunities coming in the next few seasons. Memphis associate athletic director Adam Walker announced Monday on the Hardaway radio show that the Tigers will play in 2026 at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The entire 2026 field has yet to be announced, but this year’s event featured the likes of SMU, Washington State, Iona and five others.

Memphis is also already set to participate in the 2023 Battle 4 Atlantis and the 2024 Maui Invitational Tournament. Next season’s Battle 4 Atlantis field will include North Carolina, Villanova, Michigan, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Stanford and Northern Iowa.

So, Hardaway’s squad will again be tested in 2023 — perhaps more heavily than it was last week.

And they’ll get to enjoy the Bahamas’ beautiful Paradise Island together, too, which might almost be as vital as the games themselves.


More from your Insider:


Calkins: For these Tigers, winning ‘is a beautiful thing’

The 2022-2023 Memphis Tigers may not play a pretty brand of basketball. But the way they fight together? Head coach Penny Hardaway calls it “a beautiful thing.”

Memphis beats Stanford to grab fifth place in ESPN Events Invitational

Kendric Davis led the way with 14 points; DeAndre Williams and Alex Lomax each added 12 points, and don’t forget Keonté Kennedy’s monster dunk as the Tigers leave Florida with two victories.

Box score: Memphis 56, Stanford 48

The University of Memphis Tigers played the Stanford Cardinal Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Florida.

What to look for in Tigers’ game against Stanford

While March is months away, coach Penny Hardaway’s team won’t have many chances for quality wins in a weak AAC. It must seize opportunities it has now. Beating the Cardinal at the ESPN Events Invitational would be a good start.

Coach, teammate come to defense of Alex Lomax

Penny Hardaway, DeAndre Williams have strong words in support of oft-criticized Tigers guard after he knocks down two 3-pointers in win over Nebraska.

Buckley: Tigers getting just what Penny wanted

A wild ride so far in Orlando including Friday’s bounce-back win over Nebraska and some challenging times for Memphis so far this season could pay dividends down the road.

Memphis pulls away in second half to down Nebraska

Point guard Kendric Davis’ 21 points and seven assists led the way. Fifth-year forward DeAndre Williams added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Box Score: Memphis 73, Nebraska 61

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Friday, Nov. 25 game between the Memphis Tigers and Nebraska Cornhuskers in the ESPN Events Invitational at Kissimmee, Florida.

Memphis looks ahead to Nebraska after tough loss to Seton Hall

The Tigers (2-2) take on the Huskers (3-2) at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 25, at State Farm Field House in Kissimmee, Florida.

Calkins: The Tigers have to get over a heartbreaker. And quick!

The Tigers lost to Seton Hall when a 6-10 player who hadn’t made a 3-pointer all season before Thursday banked one in at the buzzer. So how does the team get ready to play another game Friday? Former Memphis guard Trey Draper tried to help.

Memphis Tigers lose on 3-point bank shot at the buzzer to Seton Hall

Seton Hall forward Tyrese Samuel banked a buzzer-beating 3-pointer off the glass to seal a 70-69 victory for his team.

Box Score: Seton Hall 70, Memphis 69

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Thursday, Nov. 24 game between the Memphis Tigers and Seton Hall Pirates from State Farm Field House in Kissimmee, Florida.

 
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