Against Gonzaga, the Tigers did not play like a team that was just 9-8 in January. 

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Tigers’ NCAA Tournament ends with close loss to Gonzaga

You will remember this one forever, won’t you? The Tigers’ season may have ended with Saturday’s loss to Gonzaga. But the game delivered an emphatic message to the country. Memphis basketball is back.

March 19, 2022: The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeat the Memphis Tigers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Portland, Oregon.

Memphis gave the top-seeded Bulldogs all they could handle, but foul trouble ended up hampering the Tigers.

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Box score: Gonzaga 82, Memphis 78

Aaron Molloy and Patrick Seagrist score to propel Memphis to its first three points of the season.

Ja Morant will sit out for the second time in three games. 

Dawkins replaces Anthony Jones Jr., who left for TCU. 

March 18, 2022: The Atlanta Hawks defeat the Memphis Grizzlies at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

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Hawks dominate, end Grizzlies’ four-game winning streak

The Grizzlies couldn’t get into a flow as Atlanta, even without star Trae Young, had a good shooting night.

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Box score: Hawks 120, Grizzlies 105

March 18, 2022: Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett defeats Bartlett in TSSAA boys basketball Class 4A state semifinal.

Nearly four years to the day since he accepted the Memphis job, Penny Hardaway will lead the Memphis Tigers as they take on No. 1 Gonzaga. It’s been a long journey to get to this moment. But the Tigers are back where they belong. 

J.R. Jacobs’ 3-pointer sends the game to OT, and Amarr Knox scores 33 points in loss to Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett.

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Box score: Dobyns-Bennett 70, Bartlett 69 (OT)

The second-round West Region game will feature two likely draft lottery picks and two experienced big men going at it.

The Tigers at their best can fluster the opposition. The Tigers at their worst know how to regroup.

The point guard had missed Tuesday’s game because of back soreness.

The Knights, playing at state for the first time, kept pace with East Nashville until late in the game.

For Penny Hardaway and Alex Lomax, the Tigers’ win over Boise State wasn’t just a first-round NCAA Tournament victory. It was why they signed on four years ago. And it was exactly what they dreamed.

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Box score: Memphis 64, Boise State 53

March 17, 2022: The Memphis Tigers defeat the Boise State Broncos in the West Region first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

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Lomax’s gritty performance leads Memphis past Boise State

The senior guard, with an injured ankle, led the Tigers in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014. Their next opponent: top-seeded Gonzaga.

“Hey, that’s always what I wanted to do,” Clarke said. “Just catch lobs.”

Final seconds prove decisive as Lions’ third consecutive state tournament trip ends with a heartbreaking loss.

The freshman guard has not played since Jan. 27 because of a back issue.