It's ridiculous — and ungrateful — for Memphis fans to criticize Penny Hardaway in this calamitous year. 

Penny Hardaway said the outsiders attempting to criticize the Tigers for losses don't understand how hard his team is fighting. 

It's crazy to say Memphis is "the biggest disappointment" of this college basketball season. But it's not at all crazy to start worrying about next year. 

Memphis continues to fall away from the NCAA Tournament consideration after a two-loss week in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers need help if they are to make the tournament.

The Memphis season continues in a downward spiral as the Tigers and Penny Hardaway deal with major changes – from youth to the loss of key players.

Pictures capture the drama of Memphis' loss to UConn in Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. 

UConn survived a late push from the Tigers at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut as Memphis dropped its third game in a row.

Memphis tigers beat writers Drew Hill and Jonah Jordan chat before the Tigers take on Cincinnati tonight.

Cincinnati star Jarron Cumberland let coach Penny Hardaway know the Tigers were fortunate to win in the first matchup against the Bearcats. 

The next few months will be a test of Penny Hardaway. Not as head coach but as basketball CEO.

But Tigers “are locked and loaded ready to go fight at Cincinnati,” Hardaway says.

South Florida loss at home leaves Tigers in an uphill battle if they hope to make the NCAA Tournament, according to our latest bracketology expert.

With eight games to play, Penny Hardaway is fighting to keep the Tigers together while injuries are tearing them apart. 

On the afternoon that the Tigers traded out their turnover troubles for foul problems and injuries, Memphis watched its NCAA Tournament resume take a mighty blow Saturday following a 75-73 home loss to South Florida. 

Memphis suffered a crushing loss to South Florida Saturday. But it's not some big secret why this season has gone bad.

Memphis tied the game at 68 with under two minutes to play, but the Tigers came up short Saturday against South Florida. The loss is a big blow to the team's NCAA Tournament resume. 

Penny Hardaway said his players are crunching the numbers to figure out how they can get into the NCAA Tournament.

Memphis Tigers beat reporters Drew Hill and Jonah Jordan break down Memphis football's recruiting class and Memphis basketball's tournament chances.

Penny Hardaway said he doesn't have to work hard to motivate his team anymore now that they are AAC underdogs. 

Lance Thomas is dedicating this season to a friend who was killed in a fight in October. But the dedication spreads beyond Thomas and the Tigers.

Tigers hold spot in hopes of making the NCAA Tournament – still sitting on a bubble hoping for help from other teams around the country.

Memphis guard Madison Griggs' sharpshooting has even surprised coach Melissa McFerrin. 

Tigers starters Lester Quinones and Lance Thomas are in line for more shots following the loss of DJ Jeffries.

The University of Memphis basketball team overcomes turnover troubles to beat UConn at FedExForum on Saturday, Feb. 1.

DJ Jeffries is going to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. But Memphis can still make the NCAA Tournament if they do this one thing.