The No. 22 Memphis Tigers football team was idle last week, but The Daily Memphian sports staff was not.

Parth Upadhyaya spent some time in Birmingham, where he reported on what Tigers coach Penny Hardaway and American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti had to say at the league’s basketball media days.

Upadhyaya and Frank Bonner II teamed up on a couple of stories, including one with Pernetti on what he’s been up to as the 6-0 Tigers try to book College GameDay before their Oct. 25 game against South Florida. Drew Hill weighed in Tuesday with his thoughts on what landing the popular ESPN show would mean to Memphis — and what stands in the way.

Before then, the Tigers must get past UAB in Birmingham to keep their 2025 record unblemished.

Upadhyaya also spent time last week speaking with former Tigers coach John Calipari, who spent Thursday in Memphis promoting the upcoming Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic charity exhibition between his Arkansas Razorbacks and Hardaway’s new-look team at FedExForum.

Before Upadhyaya headed to Birmingham, John Martin wrote about what Hardaway and the Tigers must do to reignite fan interest in the program.

In the NBA world, Hill, Chris Herrington and intern Sam Shoemaker pitched in on Memphis Grizzlies preseason coverage — including Shoemaker’s coverage of last Saturday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, a couple Herrington columns and Hill’s reporting on, go figure, another Ja Morant injury.

Hill also delivered a super piece on Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward and his Olympic gold medal-winning grandfather.

John Varlas was busy, as usual, late last week covering high school football, including undefeated Southwind’s big victory over Whitehaven and Lausanne’s wild and wacky win over Collierville.

Finally, from the fun department, Tim Buckley reported on plans for the barnstorming Banana Ball Championship League, inspired by the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, to bring two teams to Memphis in March.

Here’s a look at some of the staff’s top work from the week: — Deputy sports editor Tim Buckley

Stay in the action by following the Daily Memphian Sports Facebook page. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, consider signing up for unlimited access to all of our sports coverage.

Could ESPN’s College GameDay return to Memphis? By Sam Shoemaker

Hardaway pushes American Conference to schedule strategically By Parth Upadhyaya

American conference plans to introduce basketball player availability reports By Frank Bonner II, Parth Upadhyaya

Hill: Memphis wants GameDay. But will GameDay want Memphis? By Drew Hill

Former Tigers coach John Calipari pleads for Memphis to 'come together' for hoops — and more By Parth Upadhyaya

Martin: Memphis is short on fanfare? There's one way to get it back. By John Martin

Grizzlies' 'best' preseason loss features grit and growth By Sam Shoemaker

Herrington: Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward lead deep cast of Grizzlies perimeter prospects By Chris Herrington

Inspired: Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward looks to late grandma, Olympic athlete grandpa By Drew Hill

Top-ranked Southwind gets physical in victory over Whitehaven By John Varlas

Lausanne airs it out in victory over Collierville By John Varlas

Real ap-peel: Banana Ball is coming to Memphis By Tim Buckley

.....