Geoff Calkins
Calkins: We have a civic crisis, Memphis. ESPN is in town.
ESPN is spending the entire day in Memphis. Which is great, sure. But how are we going to keep that chip on our shoulder now?
Geoff Calkins
Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 1143 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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March 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yes, it was heartbreaking. But Memphis basketball is back.
You will remember this one forever, won’t you? The Tigers’ season may have ended with Saturday’s loss to Gonzaga. But the game delivered an emphatic message to the country. Memphis basketball is back.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: It’s Memphis vs. Gonzaga. Just like Penny Hardaway dreamed.
Nearly four years to the day since he accepted the Memphis job, Penny Hardaway will lead the Memphis Tigers as they take on No. 1 Gonzaga. It’s been a long journey to get to this moment. But the Tigers are back where they belong.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Lomax and Hardaway win one for the city
For Penny Hardaway and Alex Lomax, the Tigers’ win over Boise State wasn’t just a first-round NCAA Tournament victory. It was why they signed on four years ago. And it was exactly what they dreamed.
Related stories:
Lomax’s gritty performance leads Memphis past Boise State
Why highs, lows against Boise State show Memphis can go far in NCAA Tournament
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Tigers are back in the tournament! (And Emoni Bates may be back, too)
It’s not enough that the Tigers will play in their first NCAA Tournament in eight years. Now there’s the chance Penny Hardaway may bring back Emoni Bates. Either way, Thursday will be a compelling day for Memphis basketball.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis is back in the NCAA. And that’s all that matters.
It’s a shame the Tigers didn’t get a chance to celebrate their NCAA Tournament invitation the way they planned. But make no mistake — this is a defining moment for the program.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It should be a magnificent Sunday. And these Tigers earned it all.
“The Memphis Tigers will play for the AAC Tournament title Sunday, and then they’ll get an NCAA Tournament bid. It has all been well and truly earned.”
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Nervous? Nah. Memphis didn’t come to Texas to lose.
Admit it, you were nervous. Until Jalen Duren and Alex Lomax restored order. And reminded everyone that the Memphis Tigers didn’t come to the American Athletic Conference Tournament to lose.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Yo, Tigers. Just go win the thing.
Never mind all the talk about bubbles and brackets. Just win the conference tournament, and get the banner y’all deserve.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Why Penny Hardaway should be coach of the (half) year
Penny Hardaway wasn’t named AAC Coach of the Year Wednesday. But no coach in the country has done more in the past two months.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: On a magical day in Memphis, Penny Hardaway delivers on his promises
Memphis smashed Houston in front of a delirious crowd Sunday. Four years after accepting the head coaching job, Penny Hardaway will be taking the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Now comes the biggest Memphis Tigers home game in years
Memphis defeated South Florida on Thursday, setting up Sunday’s game against Houston. It’s the biggest Tigers home game in years.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: 52 for history! A magical night for Memphis, Morant
On a mesmerizing night at FedExForum, Ja Morant became the first Grizzlies player to score 50 points in a game. He wound up with 52. And then Morant celebrated the feat with his teammates. And the whole city, too.
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February 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Think you’re a Memphis Tigers fan? Meet Julie.
Julie Barrett went to her very first game at FedExForum Thursday. But you’d have to travel a long way (1,000 miles, anyway) to find a more devoted Memphis Tigers fan.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: With an NCAA bid for the taking, Tigers not letting go
There’s just two weeks left until Selection Sunday. Judging by the way the Tigers blasted Wichita State, they don’t appear to be leaving their invitation to chance.
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Spirit of Memphis Calkins: Ice storm ends a 70-year love story — in death
Left in a house without power, Orange Mound residents Jake and Vennie McIntosh — ages 92 and 91 — died together in the recent ice storm.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Hardaway seizes the moment in critical win
With time running out in the first half, the Memphis Tigers were in dire straits. Which is when Penny Hardaway did something he rarely does. It was a brilliant stroke.
Related stories:
Duren’s career night helps Tigers prevail over scrappy Temple
Why Jalen Duren’s emergence as Tigers' best player bodes well for postseason run
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s not over, Memphis fans! But yeeesh.
‘Don’t lose heart, Memphis fans. The Tigers may have been blown out by SMU, but they can still make the NCAA Tournament. As long as they never play like that again.’
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: A starry celebration for Memphis and Morant
It was a memorable weekend for Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies at the NBA All-Star festivities. And that was before Morant threw down his eye-popping dunk.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: By any name, this Memphis Tigers winning streak is sweet
So what if the ESPN crew couldn’t actually pronounce the names of Memphis players Tuesday night? If the Tigers keep playing like this, they’ll be headed to (say it with me, ESPN!) the NCAA Tournament.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis gets ‘humongous’ win the program deserved
The Memphis Tigers ended Houston’s 37-game home winning streak. It was a win they desperately needed. And that everyone connected with the program — coaches, players and fans — richly deserved.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Better ingredients, better Tigers. Why Memphis can still get this done.
Why should Memphis fans believe the Tigers can win two of their next three games against Houston, Cincinnati and SMU? Well, they have Jalen Duren for starters. Ask Tulane how hard it is to stop that guy.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Take it from Z-Bo, this Grizzlies team is ‘special’
With Zach Randolph watching, the Grizzlies completed a season-sweep of the hated Clippers. “Can’t wait for the playoffs,” Randolph said. And we know how he feels.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Memphis Tigers threw a party — and everybody came
The University of Memphis basketball team smashed Central Florida Saturday. Landers Nolley II called it a “party at the crib.” But the best part of this gathering? Everybody came.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Sure, Jackson State shafted the Southern Heritage Classic. But that won’t stop Fred Jones.
Jackson State wronged the Southern Heritage Classic when it backed out of its contractual commitment to play in 2022. But if you think that’s the end of the classic, you don’t know Fred Jones.
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