Texas makes its long-awaited SEC debut against a Bulldogs team that is beaten up and struggling under first-year coach Jeff Lebby.

After an easy schedule of non-conference games, Ole Miss opens SEC play at 11 a.m. Saturday when it hosts Kentucky.

On Monday, Sept. 30, the Memphis Grizzlies start the engine on their 2024-2025 season. Here are nine storylines to watch in the coming weeks. 

The Tigers’ first-year athletic director was persuasive explaining why Memphis turned down the Pac-12, not just saying it was bad but explaining why in no uncertain terms.

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Fans have waited for their turn to celebrate a move to a Power Conference for years. The new-look Pac-12 no longer qualifies for that distinction, but some believed it would be better than the AAC.

The quaterback lead the Saints to a victory over Knoxville Catholic.

“It really came down to what our future looks like,” Ed Scott said. “... The financials were not there.”

Memphis basketball teams will have a new tipoff event — the Blue and Gray Showcase Friday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

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Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss moves the Grizzlies could make now that Derrick Rose has retired.

The Tigers open conference play Jan. 2 at Florida Atlantic.

Now is the time to start planning which Memphis home games you would like to attend this season. 

The Tigers’ road for all of the 2024-25 women’s basketball season is now set.

Collierville-Germantown, Memphis Business Academy-Lausanne are among the top games.

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Whitehaven is the biggest mover this week following victory over previous No. 1 Houston.

Mountain West offers financial incentives to keep UNLV and Air Force from jumping to Pac-12.

Derrick Rose, a former NBA MVP and the star point guard who led the Memphis Tigers to the 2008 Final Four, is calling it a career.

The late Jackson Hughey had unwavering support for the Tigers even while battling cancer for six-and-a-half years. Phil Glass, who is known as the “Ultimate Tiger,” says Hughey was the team’s true No. 1 fan. 

Brantley Moore of the Owls wins the individual title on a tough day for low scoring. St. Mary’s and ECS also win girls golf region titles. 

Quinones last played with the Golden State Warriors after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Ja Morant and Nike rolled out the Ja 2 sneakers. His latest signature shoe pushes him towards goal No. 1: dominating on the court. 

The Mountain West has exit fees of upward of $17 million for departing schools. There also are poaching fees that were put in place in the Mountain West’s football scheduling agreement with Oregon State and Washington State, the only current Pac-12 members this season.

A bout with mono proved to be a journey of self-discovery for the Briarcrest senior.

The Grizzlies initially said back in 2017 they would retire Tony Allen’s jersey. Seven years later, it will become a reality for the former Memphis star. 

Planned improvements at AutoZone Park will help the Memphis Redbirds meet Major League Baseball’s Professional Development Leagues standards.

The City of Memphis has not yet transferred Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to the University of Memphis.

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