Geoff Calkins
Calkins: 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.
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 730 articles by Geoff Calkins :
-
February 2022
-
Subscribers only
Geoff Calkins -
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.
-
Subscribers only
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
-
Subscribers only
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.’
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
Subscribers only
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.
-
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.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Emoni Bates has (at least temporarily) left the building. But the problems he revealed remain.
Emoni Bates has left Memphis for Michigan under mysterious circumstances. What’s going on? Will he ever be back? What the Bates saga tells us about a season gone badly awry.
-
-
January 2022
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It was a triumphant return for Ja Morant
Ja Morant celebrated his new All-Star status in the only way he knew how. He put together a 30-point triple-double as the Grizzlies beat Mike Conley and the Utah Jazz.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja Morant is an All-Star. Here’s why that means so much.
When Ja Morant was selected to the NBA All-Star Game Thursday, it felt like all of Memphis was celebrating along with him. There’s a very good reason for that.
-
Subscribers only
Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Hardaway and the Tigers get a win they needed — and deserved
The Memphis Tigers ended a tumultuous week by beating Tulsa. It was a win the Tigers desperately needed — and richly deserved.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Don’t ever count out Penny Hardaway. Not when a whole town is in love.
There’s a reason Penny Hardaway still has a good chance to become a successful coach at Memphis. That reason is love.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Can Hardaway get it done at Memphis? My ‘stupid bleeping’ question still stands
I asked Penny Hardaway if he could “get this done” at Memphis. His answer — complete with four expletives — revealed a lot.
Related stories:
Tigers drop third straight AAC game after sloppy start
Tigers' problems run much deeper than injury issues
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Did you see that, America? Why you don’t want to mess with the Grizz
Steven Adams picked up one of the Chicago Bulls and carried him away like a small child. Just more evidence that this is not a Grizzlies team to be trifled with.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Penny Hardaway era isn’t over. But this is sad.
When Memphis lost to East Carolina in 2016, it was the beginning of the end for Josh Pastner. This loss is different. What will it mean for Penny Hardaway?
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Just make the NCAA Tournament, Memphis. (Pretty please!)
The Memphis Tigers lost to UCF on Wednesday. That’s bad. But for all of the team’s struggles, it still can make the NCAA Tournament. Is that too much to ask?
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Grizzlies stare down Steph, the Warriors — and any skeptics who remain
Why did Ja Morant stare down that little kid? Because he was wearing a Golden State jersey. And as the Warriors learned Tuesday night, this Grizzlies team is going to demand your respect.
-
Geoff Calkins Calkins: He’s in! Spook Murphy first Tiger in College Football Hall of Fame
Three decades after he was first nominated, former University of Memphis coach Billy “Spook” Murphy is elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
-
Subscribers only
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Tyler Harris, the littlest Tiger, delivers the biggest win
Penny Hardaway said point guard Tyler Harris “will put daggers in people.” On Sunday, Harris put three daggers in the Cincinnati Bearcats to give Memphis a heart-stopping win.
Related stories:
Tyler Harris’ clutch play lifts Memphis to win over Cincinnati
This version of the Tigers is much different than December’s
-
Geoff Calkins Calkins: Merry Christmas, Memphis. Here’s to all who persevere.
It is hard not to think about loss this Christmas. Here’s to those who help us find joy in the midst of it all.
-
Subscribers only
Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Morant makes Memphis magic
It was a quiet Thursday at FedExForum. But Ja Morant is so incandescent, he makes every night a memory.
-