For a while last offseason, there was no telling how this season might end for Penny Hardaway and his Tigers. And Memphis’ new athletic director arrived well-aware of all the bad vibes.

Before No. 5 seed Memphis takes on No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional in Seattle at 1 p.m. CT Friday (TBS), learn a little bit about the Rams.

This trip to the Big Dance comes after Hardaway led Memphis to a bounceback season in which it has already won its most games since 2012-13.

Despite having just nine scholarship players available, the Tigers captured the AAC Tournament title. PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja combined for 45 points to lead Memphis.

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Also happening this week: Memphis amateur athletes are honored, and suburban schools are on spring break.

Tony Madlock, a former Memphis player and assistant coach, led Alabama State to its first SWAC Tournament Championship since 2011. His son TJ was a major reason why. 

The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda. 

Joining Memphis on the list of finalists for the 2026 AAC’s men’s basketball tournament are Wichita, Kansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Tampa, Florida.

“We have over 10,000 abandoned homes in disrepair, with overgrown yards, piles of trash, and more. It’s time to shift accountability back to where it belongs and make neglectful property owners pay up.”

“On and off the court, Allen turned being an NBA player into a kind of lunatic performance art, and in Memphis, he found a deeply appreciative audience.”

Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points and fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday, beating the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers 86-77.

Harsh winds and heavy morning storms couldn’t stop the 52nd annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Beale Street.

“Coffee brings people to the table,” Cxffeeblack founder Bartholomew Jones said.

A change in how federal criminal cases are processed has left violence hotlines, domestic violence shelters and child-abuse counseling centers struggling — and looking to the State of Tennessee for help.