Though PJ Haggerty is an All-American candidate and one of the biggest reasons for the No. 19 Tigers’ success, Coach Penny Hardaway thinks he can be even better.

Through 15 games this season, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway has relied mostly on six to eight players. But he will need more Tigers to “get after people a little bit more.”

This is the first time this season Memphis has been ranked in back-to-back editions of the weekly Associated Press Top 25.

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Coach Penny Hardaway saw the signs when he and his team landed back in Memphis following their 28-point road win over Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. 

With one second on the shot clock and ice in his veins, Memphis Tigers guard PJ Haggerty threw up a 3-pointer from 30 feet and was certain it would fall. “That’s what he does,” coach Penny Hardaway said.

The No. 21 Tigers did enough to pull off a 68-64 victory over the Mean Green and avoid what would’ve been deemed their second bad loss of the season Sunday.

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Box Score: Memphis 68, North Texas 64

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The Tigers’ Alasia Smith got a decent shot at the buzzer, which would have forced overtime with the Mean Green women’s basketball team. 

Derrick Rose, the 36-year-old former Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies guard, will become just the fifth Bulls player to have his jersey hang in the United Center rafters.

Hey, Memphians. It’s time to resolve to have fun again in 2025. Go to a Tigers game. Go to a Grizzlies game. Get off your couch and do something.

Memphis’ game against North Texas — a Quad 3 opportunity for the Tigers — is the final matchup it has on its schedule against an opponent in the top 100 of the NET or KenPom.

Memphis big man Dain Dainja scored 16 points in a span of less than seven minutes in the Tigers’ AAC-opening win over Florida Atlantic.

Exhale, Memphis. The Tigers didn’t even make you sweat in the conference opener. Final: Memphis 90, Florida Atlantic 62. The real challenge is the next 17.

The No. 21 Tigers appeared to come out of the gate with a point to prove against the Owls — and they rarely let up through the course of 40 minutes.

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Box score: Memphis 90, FAU 62

This is the box score for the NCAA basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and the Florida Atlantic University Owls on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in Boca Raton, Florida.

Penny Hardaway must decide whether to add depth up front by making a second midseason addition, or stand pat. The choice could pay dividends, or prove costly, come NCAA Tournament time.

With the win, the Tigers (3-9, 1-0 AAC) are 1-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2011-12 season and the first time as a member of the AAC. 

Memphis’ game against FAU represents one of only three remaining Quad 2 or better opportunities on the Tigers’ schedule.

The Memphis Tigers need another scoring option. No. 3 snapped out of a two-game slump to show he can be that guy.

Welcome to the end of 2024. As it relates to the Memphis sports scene, this was a tough year. But there’s hope. Next year could be bountiful for the local teams.

The Tigers finished a nonconference schedule that KenPom ranks as the fourth-toughest in the country with a 10-3 overall record. What does that mean for their NCAA Tournament prospects?

Coach Penny Hardaway feels his program is still judged by last season, despite having eight Quadrant 1 and 2 wins combined so far in 2024-25. No other team in the country has more than six.

This marks the third time in the past five weeks that Memphis has been ranked in the AP Top 25.

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