Memphis fans thronged to FedExForum Wednesday to watch the return of Memphis Madness. It was a celebration of a new season — and a program that endures.

Judgment Day is coming for Memphis basketball. And that judgment could be severe. 

“I drove back home to Buffalo to celebrate my mother’s 97th birthday. Instead, I was there as she died. It was the end of a grand and generous life.”

For the second straight week, the Tigers fumbled away a big lead and a win. But that’s not the bad news. The bad news is what losing could mean for the athletic program. 

The Liberty Bowl has a new name, which is fine. But the old stadium needs a whole lot more than that. 

The Memphis Tigers basketball team had its traditional open practice for the Rebounders on Tuesday. And after taking it all in, let me just say: Holy smokes!

It may have been the happiest Grizzlies media day in the history of the franchise. And there was good reason for that.

“Memphians have no reason to apologize for the football team’s win over Mississippi State Saturday. They should savor it as the triumph it was.”

Hayley Arceneaux — a former St. Jude patient who now works as a physician assistant at the hospital — is poised to become the youngest person to ever orbit the Earth when Inspiration4 rockets into space Wednesday. Arceneaux says that representing St. Jude patients on the mission is “the biggest honor of my life.”

It’s Eddie George vs. Deion Sanders at the Liberty Bowl. Which is exactly the matchup that Fred Jones and the Southern Heritage Classic deserve.

I wrote a column last week pondering whether race was a factor in Memphis being perpetually overlooked in realignment. As you can imagine, this went over well. 

Brandon Thomas nearly blew off his hand in a fireworks accident in high school. Now he may be the star running back that the Memphis Tigers need.

Seth Henigan on Saturday became the first true freshman quarterback to start an opener for the Memphis Tigers. And the best part? He didn’t look anything like a true freshman. 

The pandemic continues and conference realignment does not appear to be going well for the Memphis Tigers. But amid the gloom, there is reason to celebrate. Tiger tailgating is back!

At a time when diversity is supposedly valued in education, you’d think Memphis would be an important addition to the Big 12. Instead, the conference is preparing to add BYU, where just 1% of the student body is Black.

The last time Penny Hardaway asked for all the smoke, it didn’t go so well. So is he taking a different approach this year? Not a chance.

Ryan Silverfield declined to name a starting QB heading into Saturday’s opener against Nicholls State. It’s not the first time that has happened at Memphis — but it’s not great.

Emoni Bates put an end to a crazy day of recruiting by announcing he’ll be attending the University of Memphis. Could one kid possibly be worth such drama? In a word: Yes. 

Memphis fans discovered Wednesday that Emoni Bates is listed in the student directory. It’s the latest twist in a recruiting saga that has been understandably over the top.

Danton Barto, the all-time leading tackler in Memphis football history, has died of COVID-19. Before he died, he asked his wife to get vaccinated. The best way for Tigers fans to honor him would be to roll up their sleeves for No. 59. 

On the day Emoni Bates began his official visit to Memphis, Rasheed Wallace became the newest member of Penny Hardaway. The presence of Wallace is just another reason Bates should pick the Tigers. But we went through them all.

Danton Barto, Memphis football’s all-time leading tackler, is in the hospital fighting COVID-19. He sent his wife, Shelly Beth, a text: “Get that shot for me.”