After its season had hit a pothole in a loss to Arkansas State, the University of Memphis men’s basketball team had six long days to sit with it.

Penny Hardaway had six long days of having to explain why this team wasn’t anything like last year’s. He had six long days of having to assure an understandably anxious fanbase that the season wouldn’t come apart just because of one untimely home slip-up. These players are different, he said. 

“We’re healthier, mentally and physically,” Hardaway said. “We have a really good team, and we can turn it around whenever we want it.”

Turns out, Hardaway was exactly right. This team is different.