This is the third installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: The Zags came to town with a big-time scorer.

Perhaps like no season since their first together, this Memphis Grizzlies season will be about Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

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Ja Morant cleared for season opener. Ty Jerome will be out weeks.

Two days after starter Brendon Lewis left a loss to UAB early, and with South Florida coming to town, Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield addresses quarterback options. 

Standouts from Covington, East, MUS, Northpoint and Southaven up for consideration this week. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23.

On Tuesday, the Tigers begin play in the Class AAA tournament and the Saints get going in Division 2-AA.

DeAndre Williams’ deal headlines what was a week in which a handful of former Tigers were signed and waived by NBA teams. 

This is the first installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: Memphis takes the big stage at Madison Square Garden.

As the city prepares to celebrate John Calipari and his former Tigers as part of the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic preseason game, The Daily Memphian is rolling out nine stories on games that defined a wondrous era of Memphis basketball. 

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Coach Cal Countdown: Memphis sends message by spoiling Carmelo Anthony’s Syracuse debut

Alabama prevented Tennessee from winning consecutive games in the series for the first time since 2003-04. Alabama has won 17 of 19 in the rivalry.

The Memphis Tigers entered Saturday as the No. 22 team in the country, but three costly penalties have tarnished what was an undefeated season. 

The No. 22 Memphis Tigers lost a lot after falling to the Blazers in Birmingham, starting with their perfect record.

The Bulldogs suffered their 15th consecutive loss in league play. Next week they’ll host the Texas Longhorns in Starkville.

No. 9 Georgia overcame Trinidad Chambliss and No. 5 Mississippi’s powerful offense to defeat the Rebels Saturday in Athens, Georgia.

Memphis suffers its first loss of the season as UAB quarterback Ryder Burton throws for 251 yards and three touchdowns. 

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Three penalties cost Tigers against UAB. Big-time.

Box score: UAB 31, Memphis 24

NCAA college football box score for the game between the Memphis Tigers and UAB Blazers. 

UAB backup quarterback Burton Ryder, in his first career start, is 14-of-18 for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna is averaging 296 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 8 in the country. 

This comes the day after guard Ty Jerome left the Miami Heat game with a calf injury.

MUS’ Tommie Reed scored three touchdowns and Jackson Hood scored two more for homecoming at Stokes-Alston Stadium, a night that had a bit of everything.

Memphis took down the Heat 141-125 but it cost them guard Ty Jerome with a right calf straing the veteran sustained just minutes into the game. 

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Box score: Grizzlies 141, Heat 125

Box score for the NBA preseason game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat in Florida on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.

The Tigers are returning from a bye week while UAB is preparing to play its first game after firing head coach Trent Dilfer.

A catalyst of the Tigers' defense this season is Everett Roussaw Jr., a junior transfer from UAB who’s racked up 27 tackles for Memphis in five games played.

After a couple of difficult seasons, Alex Simmons feels ‘'like this year is kind of like our year one — just from a mindset standpoint.”