The best of the Tigers on Twitter: Shoutouts, dancing and the trophy
University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball coach Penny Hardaway gives a fan a fist bump as the Memphis Tigers are greeted by fans at Wilson Air Center after the Tigers won the NIT championship against the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday, March 28, 2021. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
It began as a season like no other.
A vaccine was still merely a wish. No fans at games. A tournament in South Dakota. Games postponed by COVID-19 in both the opponents’ and Memphis Tigers’ programs. The players were on different pages, out of sync, uncomfortable.
Coach Penny Hardaway, under fire and doubted by many, said no more. He installed a defense with a funny name. Alex Lomax’s voice rose above the rest. Some of the games weren’t particularly smooth, and the free-throw line continued to be a nemesis.
Lester Quinones (left) and Jayden Hardaway celebrate after the Tigers’ win the NIT basketball tournament March 28, 2021 in Frisco, Texas. (Courtesy NCAA)
Then the Tigers (and the city, by extension) got dissed by the conference. They wouldn’t get an NCAA Tournament berth, but they accepted the NIT invitation.
Dayton, Boise State, Colorado State were vanquished. And then on Sunday, March 28, Mississippi State was tossed to the side.
The Tigers sprayed Hardaway with water when he got in the locker room. Someone did locate and dump a Gatorade bucket on him (sorry, Comerica Center). They are coming home to Bluff City as champions.
Fans welcome the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team home after the Tigers won the NIT championship against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
It ends as a season like no other.
Coming home with the hardware, Memphis!#NITChampions | #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/yGPKClT79Q
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 28, 2021
Yes @marchmadness is King but congrats to @Iam1Cent PENNY HARDAWAY & @Memphis_MBB winning the NIT title vs Miss St . @American_Conf is so underrated.Memphis lost 2 games on last plays to super @UHCougarMBK https://t.co/YH4PAnCe70
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 28, 2021
@Memphis_MBB big time win 💪🏽 congrats on dat chip 🏆
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) March 28, 2021
The persistence, resilience, commitment and self-sacrifice of this Tiger team @Memphis_MBB was admirable. Good to see them get the chance to celebrate. Go Tigers.
— Dr. M. David Rudd (@UofMemphisPres) March 28, 2021
@Memphis_MBB the city deserves this one. Love all my brothers #GTG
— Precious Achiuwa (@PreciousAchiuwa) March 28, 2021
Celebrating Until Further Notice!#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/ywKn6VMFIp
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 28, 2021
Congratulations @Memphis_MBB 🏀on being NIT Champions!
— Ryan Silverfield (@RSilverfield) March 28, 2021
GO TIGERS GO
💦🏆💦#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/GwNxhAVxeH
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 28, 2021
NIT champions!#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/l73iKSyEEO
— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) March 28, 2021
Do you know the last time @Memphis_MBB lost a game by more than 3 pts? Dec. 21!
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) March 28, 2021
Only 2 losses since Jan, both to Elite Eight Houston by a combined 5, one on a halfcourt buzzer-beater.
The way they’ve played the last 2 months, I’m convinced they could’ve won a couple NCAA games. pic.twitter.com/SgRZsipVRE
Shout Out To Dem Members 4 Holdin Me Down 💙🕺🏾 ! I Owe Y’all One 🤞🏾 So You Know What That Mean 🐯🙇🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/fySVApP0yn
— Alex ✨Alo✨ Lomax (@iamalo02) March 28, 2021
Did something I haven’t done since I left #Memphisstate .. pull out this Jersey to watch the game in. So proud of @Memphis_MBB for winning the #NIT .... shoutout to the coaching job @Iam1Cent did with his team. Regrouped & put them in position to WIN pic.twitter.com/QLtdh1IBA0
— Elliot Perry (@elliotlperry) March 28, 2021
My team my city #fightliketigers #drivenbydoing @Memphis_MBB pic.twitter.com/6L3IJG6ll1
— Justin Lawhead (@JustinLawhead) March 28, 2021
Joining @Memphis_MBB in their celebration: @PreciousAchiuwa.
— Clayton Collier (@Local24Clayton) March 28, 2021
Because of the pandemic, Precious never got to experience postseason basketball in college. His former teammates made sure he was included for the NIT trophy presentation. Awesome moment. pic.twitter.com/51MKnYzzv4
Penny : “We weren’t going to leave here without a championship. We had to do it for our city. We owed them that this year for the way we started off”
— Isaac Simpson (@Isaac_Rivals) March 28, 2021
@Memphis_MBB shoulda been in the tourney. Def had a shot at being a 2nd weekend team! @Iam1Cent great job and well deserved NIT championship!
— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) March 28, 2021
Congratulations @Memphis_MBB, NIT Champions! You really deserve this; your effort and tenacity are so impressive. The future is very bright. #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/FPoRe8OKoX
— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) March 28, 2021
My wife and son with Penny. Priceless!! Go Tigers Go!!!!! pic.twitter.com/f8lbojB4JE
— bob willows 2 (@willows_2) March 28, 2021
Wish that I could welcome back our newly crowned NIT Champion @Memphis_MBB tonight. So, here’s to Coach @Iam1Cent, the players, the coaches, the staff, and Tiger Nation:#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/ZrFJprBhVs
— Geoff Mack (@GeoffMack7777) March 28, 2021
THE MEMPHIS TIGERS HAVE WON THE NIT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!
— 929ESPN (@929espn) March 28, 2021
Memphis takes home the trophy for the first time since 2002. This team has all the potential in the world to be special next year.
The 901 is proud. #GTGpic.twitter.com/lfvMrEuHA6
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