Season One, Chapter 17: The Memphis Tigers lost the game — but showed they can win the tournament
The Memphis Tigers lost to Cincinnati Saturday night. But in the process, they've showed how far they've come and how far they might go.
Geoff Calkins
Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. 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 976 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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March 2019
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Geoff Calkins -
Geoff Calkins Calkins: Jeremiah Martin’s brilliant career started in grief but is ending in glory
When Jeremiah Martin is introduced as the starting point guard on Memphis Senior Day, he'll cross himself, point skyward and think about the man whose memory has inspired him throughout his unlikely journey.
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Geoff Calkins Season One, Chapter 18: Jeremiah Martin saves the day — his day
Jeremiah Martin saved the day. Which just happened to be HIS day. So happy Jeremiah Martin Day to everyone!
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Memphis Tigers Basketball Calkins: Yes, you can have a picture with Penny Hardaway – and nearly every Memphian does
Penny Hardaway may be the most photographed man in the history of Memphis. Here's why he never says no to a photo request.
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Sports Calkins: With Tulane vanquished, Memphis prepares for ‘biggest game of the year, by far’
Friday's game against UCF isn't just a big game. It is, according to Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, "the biggest game of the year, by far."
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Memphis calls shot, destroys UCF, takes aim at Houston next
Memphis shows its toughness and swagger in routing UCF. But will that be enough to beat Houston? Saturday's game will be the ultimate test.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Memphis Tigers lose the game, win the year
The Memphis Tigers won't be going to the NCAA Tournament this year after losing to Houston Saturday. But Penny Hardaway's first team has earned both affection and respect.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Johnny Manziel joins the Memphis Express. What could possibly go wrong?
Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is joining the Memphis Express. It could actually be (yes, I said it) fun!
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Geoff Calkins Season One, Chapter 19: Penny Hardaway leads Memphis back to the postseason after four long years away
After four years away, Penny Hardaway has Memphis back in the postseason. Not bad for a glorified AAU coach, eh?
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Penny Hardaway wraps up a memorable home season with a raucous NIT win
Penny Hardaway's first home season felt like a family reunion, right up though the raucous end.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: John Kilzer — former Tiger, musician, minister — lived a life of recovery and grace
John Kilzer was a former Tiger, an academic and a music star. But his legacy will be his recovery ministry, which touched hundreds of lives.
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Sports Calkins: If Johnny Manziel wants to pick himself up, he’s come to the right town
Johnny Manziel said all the right things at his opening press conference. But can he live them? That's the trick.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: NIT loss isn’t the end for Penny Hardaway and the Tigers, it’s just the beginning
The Memphis Tigers were eliminated from the NIT by Creighton Friday night. But the game felt like less an ending than the end of a beginning.
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Memphis Grizzlies Joshua Kushner and Brandon Arrindell purchase shares of Grizzlies
Joshua Kushner and Brandon Arrindell have purchased minority shares in the Memphis Grizzlies, according to league sources.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Johnny Manziel wins first game as Memphis QB! (OK, while standing on the sidelines)
The fans wanted Johnny Manziel. But Brandon Silvers won the night for the Memphis Express.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Penny Hardaway says national championship hopes ‘more real’
Penny Hardaway wrapped up his first season by declaring that his hopes for a national championship at Memphis are "more real."
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: New TV deal a plus for the Memphis Tigers
The new American Athletic Conference TV deal is a plus for the Memphis Tigers. But you may need to ask your grandkid for help.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Last home game for Johnny Manziel and the Memphis Express?
If this was the end for Johnny Manziel and the Memphis Express, it was a wild way to go.
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April 2019
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Geoff Calkins Season One, Chapter 20: Why Penny Hardaway mattered
Why did the return of Penny Hardaway matter? Because of people like Vivian Chalmers, 78, who draws on Memphis basketball as a source of community and hope.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: The not-at-all definitive list of Memphis things (like the Express) that didn’t last
The Memphis Express join a long list of eras and entities in this city that were gone too soon. Some of them have to do with sports. Many do not. Feel free to add your own!
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Last match at The Racquet Club, after 43 years
It was the end of an era Sunday, as The Racquet Club hosted its final competitive match.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: What happens when you take your 98- and 94-year-old parents to Disney? Magic, of course
I took my 98- and 94-year-old parents to Disney. It was a magical trip, but not for the reasons you'd expect.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Time for Grizzlies to make big changes
Now that another season of frustration is over, it's time for the Grizzlies to remake the front office.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: No words to explain how the Grizzlies treated Wallace and Bickerstaff
The Grizzlies fired J.B. Bickerstaff and reassigned Chris Wallace Thursday. But the way they did it raises some legitimate questions about the new management team.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Can a 30-year-old whiz kid save the Grizzlies?
The Grizzlies took a risk when they hired 30-year-old Zach Kleiman to lead their personnel department. But that doesn't mean Kleiman can't do the job.
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