Welcome to this week’s Tigers Basketball Insider. Below you’ll find the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Steven Johnson, John Martin and Geoff Calkins.
It’s officially Memphis Madness eve.
The highly anticipated affair should be eventful after the program was forced to hold a virtual madness last season.
Add in the fact the Tigers have completely reshaped their roster into one worthy of a preseason top 10 ranking, it’s a given the FedExForum will be packed.
Many will come for the players and the atmosphere while others will be there for the musical acts. Deputy athletic director Jeff Crane told Eli Savoie of Sports56 that there could be as many as seven performers on Wednesday night.
So, who are the players hoping to see perform tomorrow?
“I’m a Lil Wayne fan; I don’t think he’s coming out here,” Memphis center Jalen Duren said last week with a smile. “I’ll be cool with anybody.”
Not a bad choice, but what about freshman guard Emoni Bates?
“It’s going to be a real lit situation,” Bates said. “[I’m hoping] for Lil Baby.”
Drake accepted the artist of the decade award at the Billboard Music Awards in May. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The Atlanta-based rapper has become one of the top acts in rap, so that’s no surprise.
Last but not least, senior guard and native Memphian Alex Lomax chimed in as well.
“Everybody wants Drake, so I’m going to put them prayers up. We want Drizzy,” Lomax said.
We’ll find out shortly who the surprise performers are for this year, but any of those trio would be huge for Memphis Madness.
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