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Despite doubt by some that it would happen, the Memphis Tigers are playing in this week’s American Conference Tournament. But before we get to that, a reminder and an invitation: The Daily Memphis sports staff is talking sports, and we want you to join. So … make plans now to meet us at Wiseacre HQ Downtown, at 398 South B.B. King Blvd., for a panel event on Memphis sports moderated by Geoff Calkins. The gathering is planned for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. You can ask our sports staff members questions and meet with other local fans. Guests will receive one complimentary drink and enjoy a charcuterie board, with additional beverages and food available for purchase. The event is free, but with a suggested donation to help support our work. Here’s a link with more information. Now on to the week in sports. If you didn’t hear, the University of Memphis fired women’s basketball coach Alex Simmons after her Tigers failed to make the American Tournament, as Frank Bonner II reported. But coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers indeed will play in their conference tourney, squeaking in as the No. 10 seed and facing No. 9 seed Tulane on Wednesday night in Birmingham, Alabama. The Tigers must win five games in five days in Birmingham to return to the NCAA Tournament. In New Orleans, Parth Upadhyaya covered the win over Tulane that got the Tigers, who were in danger of not making it, into the tournament, and John Martin weighed in on what it all means. Three days before tha, Tim Buckley caught up with former Tiger Dain Dainja after Memphis lost a tight one with league-leader South Florida at FedExForum. On Saturday night, oft-injured Grizzlies star Ja Morant met with media members following a lengthy stay out of the spotlight, and Drew Hill chronicled what he had to say. The tanking Grizzlies play tonight at Philadelphia before returning home to face Dallas on Thursday night, then head back out onto the road to visit Detroit on Friday night and Chicago on Monday night. Sticking with hoops, John Varlas was in Clarksville for state-tournament play that included Briarcrest’s big Division 2-AA championship-game win over Pope John Paul II. Photographer Patrick Lantrip also was there to capture what unfolded through his award-winning lens. Varlas additionally previewed the upcoming Class 4A tournament in Murfreesboro, which has both the Bartlett and Collierville High girls teams chasing state titles of their own. Here’s a look at some of the staff’s top work from the week: — Deputy sports editor Tim Buckley
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By Parth Upadhyaya
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