NASSAU, Bahamas — Memphis’ basketball rivalry with Arkansas was brought back to life Thursday night.

The schools played each other for the first time since Jan. 2, 2003, after coach Penny Hardaway and others in and around the Tigers’ program had for years stated their desire to bring back the series that dates back to 1966.

And it happened in the Bahamas, of all places. That’s where the Tigers (5-0) knocked off the No. 20 Razorbacks (4-2) 84-79 in the semifinal round of the Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena.

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Hardaway expressed confidence last week that he and Arkansas coach Eric Musselman would “eventually” figure out a way to schedule a home-and-home series between the programs. After his team’s win Thursday, he again shared what the historic rivalry means to him.

“I understand the rivalry from back when I was in school,” Hardaway said. “(There are) so many connections between Memphis and Arkansas because of the players that I grew up with that played there.

“And also, they’ve been doing a phenomenal job since Muss has been there, getting to Sweet 16s and Elite Eights and being a part of the elite group. Arkansas is one of the elite teams in the country.”

Musselman, on the other hand, didn’t seem as enthusiastic about adding Memphis to his team’s regular-season schedule on an annual basis when asked about the matter Thursday. 

The fifth-year Razorbacks coach said he felt the electric atmosphere inside Imperial Arena during the Memphis-Arkansas game was more a product of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament than anything else.

“The environment’s been incredible for all the games,” Musselman said. “I thought last night’s game was a great atmosphere that we played in.”

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When asked specifically about his interest in getting Memphis on his schedule in the future, his response was short.

“I don’t do the scheduling,” Musselman said.

Still, Hardaway took joy in what took place Thursday. His Tigers beat a team he always enjoyed competing against as a player to even the all-time series between the schools at 11-11.

That may just have to be enough for now.

“The city of Memphis understood what this game meant,” Hardaway added of the history between Memphis and Arkansas. “And the entire state of Arkansas understood what this game meant.”