Columnist
There are 257 articles by John Martin :
“There’s a major problem brewing elsewhere for the Memphis administration. It’s that the gap has been closed — it’s just the one that used to exist between Memphis basketball and the rest of the American Conference.”
Parth Upadhyaya and John Martin answer some of the most pressing questions as the Tigers prepare to open conference play against North Texas.
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for John Martin’s annual list of Memphis sports predictions for the new year.
It’s a win, to be sure. The Tigers are 2-0 in league play and have won three in a row. But can you really look at this team and think the arrow is pointing up?
While it’s probably unwise to base anything off one particular game, the magnitude of the loss to Louisville should cause any Memphis fan to wonder what should be taken from it.
The goal for Memphis has to be to elevate the status of its athletic programs so that it can credibly say that it’s a peer of Louisville’s once again.
“What matters in the end is not the sizzle of the name. ... It’s the players. It’s always about the players.”
Is Ed Scott about to make the most important hire of the Memphis athletic program? And who should he pick? Ryan Silverfield posts goodbye message to Memphis Is Memphis football the best non-power conference job on the market?Related content:
You could almost start to see the vision of the rest of the season. Sure, it was a really bad loss to UNLV. But Memphis would escape the Bahamas with a 1-1 record, the team is playing hard, and players are settling into roles. But it all came undone. Slowly, then all at once.
Considering they were promised that the standard at Memphis would be maintained when Ryan Silverfield was hired, there are lots of reasons for Tigers fans to be ready to turn the page. Does that mean Memphis will be making a change at head coach?
CBS Sports analyst Emeka Okafor called the gutty win for Purdue “championship vitamins.” But the truth is that even a close loss like this one — to the top dog in the sport — will make Memphis fans feel a whole lot better.
The Memphis basketball season may be off to a tepid start, but I’ve got five burning questions as the Tigers prepare to play No. 1-ranked Purdue in the Bahamas.
As Memphis embarks on yet another grueling nonconference schedule against Power 4 programs it’s clear the playing field has shifted. Should our annual expectations follow?
Breathe. These games don’t count (thank heavens), and don’t even necessarily have to mean anything.
This is the eighth installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: A glorious slam from Chris Douglas-Douglas over Kevin Love lifted the Tigers into the title game.
This is the fifth installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: A magical 2007-08 run included signature moments against name-brand programs, but UAB pushed Memphis’ beautiful season to the brink.
“A lot has changed about college basketball in 2025, but the way to get people back is the way it’s always been: To win when it matters most.”
Check out Martin’s thoughts on Tulsa at Memphis, Texas at Florida and Miami at Florida State in this week’s Market Report.
Bets are made every day — on teams, on players, on corporations and companies. The money isn’t always right, but it can usually give us a great sense of what the correct side is.
“The backdrop of Memphis football’s game against Florida Atlantic was never going to compare to last weekend’s against Arkansas. But make no mistake: This game was still a huge test. The Tigers passed with flying colors.”
Athlon Sports wrote a story recently that proclaimed The American is having a moment. Well, now it’s the Tigers’ turn to have theirs.
Bets are made every day — on teams, on players, on corporations and companies. The money isn’t always right, but it can usually give us a great sense of what the correct side is.
Darren Watkins Jr. — also known as IShowSpeed — filed into his black SUV on Thursday afternoon and said the magic words. “Memphis is way more lit than Nashville. Memphis is super lit.” Slicing, Ja, Bass Pro: Popular streamer IShowSpeed’s day in MemphisRelated content:
Bets are made every day — on teams, on players, on corporations and companies. The money isn’t always right, but it can usually give us a great sense of what the correct side is.
Memphis football beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss the Tigers’ chances of winning the American Conference, the backup quarterback situation and what to expect in the season opener.