Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | John Martin

Martin: Hardaway and the Tigers make resounding statement with major upset win against No. 18 Iowa State

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Tue, 3 Nov 2026 10:08:36 -0600

Penny Hardaway did absolutely everything in his power to ensure that this season would be radically different than last. In the Tigers’ first game of the 2026-27 season, they sent a resounding message: It will be.

Monday recap: Tigers in solid position in conference after beating Army

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 10:53:35 -0600

Beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin break down the Tiger’s convincing win over Army and what it means for the conference standings.

Monday recap: Tigers survive and advance against East Carolina

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:09:27 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin analyze the positives and negatives of an overtime win against East Carolina.

Martin: It's finally about basketball for Memphis. And it looks good.

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 02:42:51 -0500

On Friday night in Starkville, it was finally about actual basketball for the University of Memphis — and it looked pretty freaking good.

Monday recap: Tigers suffer disappointing loss, but still in mix for conference title

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:00:10 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin break down the Tigers 31-17 loss at Tulane and how it impacts the American Conference race.

Martin: Tulane taps the brakes on Memphis football's conference title hopes

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 09:04:32 -0500

Memphis lost to the Tulane Green Wave, 31-17, on a blustery Friday night, suggesting it may not yet have addressed all the gap-closing work new coach Charles Huff set as his goal for the program.

Ed Scott clarifies Penny Hardaway's comments: 'He has not written us a check'

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:52:38 -0500

One day after coach Penny Hardaway told The Field of 68 he’d written a $2.6 million check to help fund the 2026-27 roster, athletic director Ed Scott appeared on The Gary Parrish Show to clarify that he hadn’t.

Monday recap: Tigers continue to roll with another blowout win

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:02:38 -0500

Beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss Memphis’ 38-13 win over UAB as the Tigers roll through another American Conference opponent.

Martin: This Memphis football team looks like a title contender

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Mon, 5 Oct 2026 10:51:47 -0500

This is a vastly more serious operation at Memphis under Charles Huff. The Tigers did exactly what good teams do; they imposed their will on both sides of the ball for a full 60 minutes.

Monday recap: Tigers' offense continues to flourish

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 5 Oct 2026 10:49:44 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss how good Memphis looked during its biggest blowout victory of the season.

Martin: Memphis basketball has a problem — and Penny Hardaway can't fix it

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:42:30 -0500

“There’s an emergency inside the University of Memphis athletic department. Tiger basketball is dying.”

Monday recap: Tigers in good shape heading into conference play

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:00:08 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss the Tigers’ win over UT Martin as Memphis prepares for its conference schedule.

Monday recap: What does loss at Boise say about the Tigers moving forward?

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:06 -0500

Beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin break down the Tigers’ first loss and why it happened.

Monday recap: Tigers keep momentum with win over Arkansas State

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 15:30:57 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin react to the Tigers’ 42-24 win over Arkansas State.

Monday recap: What type of statement did the Tigers make with win at UNLV?

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:55:58 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin give their first impressions of the 2026 Tigers and what it could mean for the rest of the season.

Martin: It'll be a waiting game on Charles Huff, and more predictions about the 2026 football season

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:01:47 -0500

The 2026 college football season is finally upon us. Here are John Martin’s predictions.

What should be expected of Memphis football this season?

fbonner@dailymemphian.com (Frank Bonner II) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 04:00:01 -0500

Memphis Tigers beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss expectations for team performance, fan attendance and their impressions of the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovations.

Martin: Memphis basketball's nonconference schedule is awesome. That's the problem.

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:56:33 -0500

Coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers have likely bitten off more than they can chew with this nonconference slate.

Martin: Death to the Protect College Sports Act. Signed, Memphis.

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin ) — Wed, 5 Aug 2026 07:00:12 -0500

“What should be clear to any University of Memphis fan is this: Based on the final language of the bill, the U of M would be anything but protected if this bill is signed into law.”

Martin: Former Tiger Kendric Davis' return visit to Memphis shows what still matters

johnmartinmemphis@gmail.com (John Martin) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:22:21 -0500

Davis’ return to Memphis and what he said Friday afternoon was a reminder that when things go right here, there can still be a profound connection between a coach and a player — and a player to a city.