A win over Auburn would give Memphis its first-ever Maui Invitational title in what is its sixth appearance in the tournament.

Though the story surrounding Memphis ahead of its trip to Hawaii was the play of PJ Haggerty, it’s Tyrese Hunter who’s been the surprise star for coach Penny Hardaway’s group through two games in Maui.

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Box score: Memphis 71, Michigan State 63

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Just before the season started, some national media suggested Penny Hardaway was on the hot seat. Well, if Hardaway was on the hot seat, the man has spent the week dumping a bathtub of water from the Pacific Ocean on the flame. 

The Daily Memphian has kept track of notable Group of Five teams each week. Teams have fallen in and out of the tracker based on the outcomes of games played.

Memphis was led by Tyrese Hunter’s 23 points and some aggressive team defense. The Tigers will play at 4 p.m. CST Wednesday vs. Auburn in the Maui Invitational championship.

Standouts from Collierville, Covington, Fairley, Southwind and Tipton-Rosemark earn invitations to Nissan Stadium on Dec. 1o.

This is the box score for the NCAA Maui Invitational game between the Memphis Tigers and the Michigan State Spartans on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii.

Ja Morant was ruled out of Wednesday’s game against the Pistons with a knee contusion. 

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The Tigers now have wins over four KenPom top-100 teams.

Desmond Bane said people can’t stop telling him about how frequently his commercial plays during Memphis Grizzlies games.

On the heels of a stellar state tournament in March, Fred Smith Jr. returns to lead the way for the Saints.

Why was Jaren Jackson Jr. ready for the alley-oop lob from Ja Morant? Because he knows Morant is unafraid to go for the wildest outcomes.

Jonah Gambill’s work ethic forced the Memphis coaching staff to put him on the field as a redshirt freshman, and they never took him off.

Numbers to know, historical notes and fun facts ahead of Friday’s playoff action.

Standouts from Brighton, Central, Kingsbury, Munford, Overton and Southwind honored by the league’s coaches.

Standouts from ECS, Lausanne, Northpoint, St. Benedict, St. George’s and University School of Jackson honored by the league’s coaches.

Memphis and Michigan State last met in the 2013 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, where the Spartans beat the Tigers. The Tigers own a 2-1 all-time series lead.

The Tigers and Grizzlies tag teamed on Monday to give Memphis “one of the best days” of November basketball imaginable. 

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Box score: Grizzlies 123, Trail Blazers 98

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Ja Morant is back in flight and back in control, dominating the game with the Trail Blazers with 22 points and 11 assists in only 23 minutes.

Ja Morant shot 6 from 12 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points, and Santi Aldama finished with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

Penny Hardaway’s Tigers were again among the biggest stories in college basketball on Monday morning in Hawaii. And, for the first time in at least 11 months, it wasn’t because of any scandal or drama or firings or controversy of any sort. 

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Box score: Memphis 99, UConn 97 (OT)

This is the box score for the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 at FedExForum.

No, this wasn’t an NCAA Tournament win. No, this doesn’t mean the Tigers can go directly to the Sweet 16 — or even the tournament. But this was the biggest regular-season win in a long time.

Coach Penny Hardaway’s team made one of the biggest early statements of the college basketball season in their win over the two-time defending NCAA champion Huskies.

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Box score: Memphis 99, UConn 97 (OT)

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NCAA men’s basketball box score for the game between the Memphis Tigers and UConn Huskies.