The Dons return two starters from a 25-10 team that pushed the Tigers to the brink a season ago.

Related content:

Memphis basketball forecast: Projections for the Tigers’ 2025-26 season

With dress rehearsals complete, it’s finally showtime for coach Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers basketball team.

Key questions loom large as the Tigers get ready to officially tip off their season Saturday against San Francisco.

“I’m not getting out of the guys what I want to get out of them right now,” Tigers coach said ahead of Memphis’ regular-season opener against San Francisco.

A fourth-quarter collapse costs coach Alex Simmons’ Tigers in their 2025-26 season opener.

Former First Assembly Christian School standout chooses coach Penny Hardaway’s program.

“I did come into this week way more excited (than I am now) — (with the) understanding that we’ve been practicing against one another, and I’ve been seeing some really good things,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said after a preseason loss to Auburn.

Breathe. These games don’t count (thank heavens), and don’t even necessarily have to mean anything.

Memphis shot just 36.8% (21-of-57) from the floor and 20% (4-of-20) from 3-point range, had more turnovers (23) than made field goals (21) and allowed Auburn to score 38 points in the paint.

Related content: 

Follow along as Memphis closes out preseason play with an exhibition against No. 20 Auburn

Live updates from the Memphis Tigers’ preseason basketball game against Auburn in Atlanta.

A matchup against Auburn at a venue less than two hours from the campus of the SEC’s Tigers should provide Memphis with a solid test before the 2025-26 regular season gets underway.

Former Memphis point guard Jahvon Quinerly, once seemingly done with basketball, will be back on the court next month.

After Penny Hardaway’s Tigers basketball team made its first public showing of 2025-26, it is evident there is plenty to still tune up.

Related content:

Former Tiger Jahvon Quinerly ditches retirement for one-on-one tournament

When John Calipari and Penny Hardaway walked to center court at a little after 8 p.m. Monday night, the Memphis fans rose and unleashed an ovation for them both.

Poor shooting eventually became too much for the Tigers to overcome against a high-powered Arkansas team.

Related content:

John Calipari, Penny Hardaway join forces to promote Memphis

SEC Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes scored 40 points to lead the Commodores to the win over the Tigers on Monday night in the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic. 

Former Tigers coach John Calipari and current Tigers coach Penny Hardaway promote the city of Memphis in a Choose901 video.

Former Tigers coach John Calipari’s return to Memphis should shed some light on just how good Penny Hardaway’s Tigers will be this season.

This is the eighth installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: A glorious slam from Chris Douglas-Douglas over Kevin Love lifted the Tigers into the title game.

This is the seventh installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: The Spartans and Longhorns stood in the way of the Final Four, but the Tigers overcame.

This is the sixth installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: It was a No. 1 vs. a No. 2 when Memphis met Tennessee and the Tigers unleashed freshman phenom Derrick Rose.

This is the fifth installment in a nine-story series remembering games that defined the John Calipari coaching era of Memphis Tigers basketball. Today: A magical 2007-08 run included signature moments against name-brand programs, but UAB pushed Memphis’ beautiful season to the brink. 

Bubba Luckett is done coaching. Fred Horton can’t get enough. Now both high school basketball coaches and former Memphis Tigers are in the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame.