The last day of the calendar year is here, which means it’s time for Martin’s annual tradition of telling you the future regarding the Memphis sports scene.

“We can’t get over the hump to be professional enough to come out and compete,” Memphis Tigers coach says after Saturday’s win over Austin Peay.

The University of Memphis plays Austin Peay at FedExForum.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds to help the Tigers overcome several struggles offensively.

Related story:

Box score: Memphis 81, Austin Peay 70

Despite a fast start, the Tigers would not be able to match the hot shooting of the Golden Hurricane and suffered the 71-62 loss.

Now that Memphis is about to enter American Athletic Conference play, John Martin looks at where these Tigers are headed.

Illness has smacked Memphis hard over the last few weeks. The Grizzlies were out-rebounded 54-33 in a loss to the Clippers on Friday night. 

Related story:

Box score: Clippers 117, Grizzlies 106

NBA box score for Friday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.

The Memphis quarterback went 24-34 for 364 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, winning game MVP honors in a win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

The Tigers put the finishing touches on a 10-win season in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and Silverfield has his eyes on a conference championship next season. 

Ryan Silverfield and company do plenty well en route to reaching double-digit wins for just the fifth time in program’s 108-year history.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl box score from Friday’s NCAA football game between the Memphis Tigers and Iowa State Cyclones.

Seth Henigan’s 364 yards passing and 4 touchdown passes help the Memphis Tigers win bowl and help Henigan set a school career passing record.

Related stories:

Silverfield gets big ‘finish’ against Iowa State, thinks bigger for 2024

Box score: Memphis 36, Iowa State 26

Ja Morant was not listed on the Grizzlies injury report ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday.

The Tigers could use a convincing win against the Governors to improve their NCAA NET ranking and carry momentum into the start of AAC play in January.

Hardaway’s Class of 2024 nomination is based on his achievements as a player.

The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

The Denver Nuggets ended the Grizzlies’ four-game winning streak as Ja Morant sat out with an illness. 

Related stories:

Box score: Nuggets 142, Grizzlies 105

Grizzlies Insider: Memphis enters opportunistic window for postseason hopes

Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.

Related stories:

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade marches down Beale Street

Key stats and numbers for AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Memphis and Iowa State fans enjoy the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade on Beale Street. The football teams will meet Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Who says you can’t go home again? Memphis’ Jacob Likes cried when he thought he’d played his last game at Liberty Stadium. Now there’s another.

Related story:

Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan can make history in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

The Tigers have been invited to 10 straight bowl games, while Iowa State is participating in its sixth postseason game in seven years.

Seth Henigan is just 321 yards shy of former Memphis quarterback Brady White’s record of 10,730 career passing yards.

With Ja Morant questionable due to an illness, the Grizzlies begin a critical stretch of games against likely playoff teams.

Former Tigers Riley Ferguson and Gabe Kuhn detail the 2017 Liberty Bowl game against Iowa State, which was the last college game for both of them.