Memphis lost to Tulane for the first time since 2016. That was the last season for Josh Pastner. Which doesn’t mean this will be the last season for Penny Hardaway, of course. But things are not going well.

Penny Hardaway’s puzzling decision to go away from the hot hands proved costly.

Dec. 29, 2021: The Grizzlies defeat the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum.

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Ja Morant scores 41, outduels LeBron James in Grizzlies win over Lakers

The Grizzlies’ star took over the fourth quarter and outdueled LeBron James in a signature performance.

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Box score: Memphis 104, Lakers 99

Dec. 29, 2021: The Tulane Green Wave defeat the Memphis Tigers in New Orleans.

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Short-handed Tigers fall at the buzzer to Tulane in AAC opener

Without two of its top rim protectors, Memphis struggled on defense and had difficulty containing the Green Wave’s best scorer.

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How the final call against Tulane sums up what’s gone wrong for Memphis

Box score: Tulane 85, Memphis 84

Players are listed through games of Dec. 26.

The Tigers could be missing a few players when they play Tulane on Wednesday night. 

“Thank you to the University of Memphis for allowing me to come and follow my dreams both on the field and in the classroom and leaving this wonderful university with two degrees,” Francis tweeted.

Texas Tech shuts down the Bulldogs’ vaunted offense, achieving the biggest margin of victory in the game since 2013.

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Box score: Texas Tech 34, Mississippi State 7

Dec. 28, 2021: Texas Tech defeats Mississippi State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

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Texas Tech routs Mississippi State in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

After a two-week COVID-imposed hiatus, Memphis restarts its schedule, hoping to recapture the momentum from the Alabama win.

The Grizzlies will be forced to play without any of their usual rotation wings when they take on the Lakers on Wednesday night at FedExForum. 

The point guard’s timing couldn’t have been better with his shot that beat the Suns and the start of All-Star voting. 

Coach Penny Hardaway didn’t go into specifics about who tested positive but shared what information he could.

Dec. 27, 2021: The Grizzlies defeat the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix. 

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Morant, Bane team up to take down Suns in buzzer-beater

The two guards combined for 65 points, rescuing the Grizzlies, who frittered away an 18-point lead.

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Box score: Grizzlies 114, Suns 113

No word on whether more of the Memphis players have been vaccinated, but Penny Hardaway says he believes there will be enough to play against Tulane.

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach will face one of his former players, Texas Tech coach Sonny Cumbie, as the Bulldogs play the Red Raiders Tuesday.

Conference play will prove vital for the Tigers thanks to an uneven showing against their nonconference opponents. Beating a short-handed Houston team is priority No. 1.

Former Tiger Bobby McCain tied his season-high with 10 tackles and kicker Riley Patterson is still 100% on field goals and extra points. 

In the debut of the National Indoor Soccer League, the Americans men’s and women’s teams each posted convincing victories over the Columbus (Georiga) Rapids at the Landers Center in Southaven.