Alasia Smith’s career-high 28 points helped the Tigers improve to 2-1 in the 2024-25 season.

“Once it opens up, you know, it’s showtime,” said the Tigers combo guard, who finished with a game-high 29 points to go with three assists and three rebounds, with 16 of those points coming after halftime.

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Box score: Memphis 80, UNLV 74

NCAA box score for the University of Memphis game against UNLV in Las Vegas.

PJ Haggerty scored 29 points and Colby Rogers added 16 as Memphis used a strong second half to improve to 2-0.

The Daily Memphian’s reporters discuss what missing the AAC championship game means for Memphis football, and break down Memphis basketball’s season-opening win over Missouri.

The Tigers will face their first road test of the regular season against the Runnin’ Rebels in Las Vegas.

A Q&A with BCC Director Hunter Story sheds light on how the Memphis basketball program’s official NIL partner does business with Memphis Tigers players.

Penny Hardaway addresses how the Memphis Tigers’ frontcourt rotation is impacted by the departure of Tyreek Smith, a transfer from SMU who left the team due to a dispute about NIL payments.

New Tiger P.J. Haggerty toyed with Missouri late in Memphis’ 83-75 season-opening win at FedExForum.

Thanks to some key words by Tyrese Hunter at halftime, Memphis came out in the second half with new life in a come-from-behind effort that resulted in an 83-75 win.

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 Box score: Memphis 83, Missouri 75

Memphis' Tyreek Smith enters transfer portal

Led by P.J. Haggerty’s 25 points, six rebounds and five assists, the hometown Tigers outscored the SEC’s Tigers 51-33 in the second half to erase a 10-point halftime deficit. 

This the box score for the NCAA game between the University of Memphis Tigers and the University of Missouri Tigers on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at FedExForum.

This news comes hours before coach Penny Hardaway’s team opens its 2024-25 regular season against Missouri at FedExForum at 7 p.m. 

The Tigers will hit the road to take on Mississippi State on Thursday, Nov. 7, in Starkville at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

The Tigers are 6-0 all-time against Mississippi Valley State, with this matchup being the sixth of seven played in Memphis. 

“This certainly isn’t the most anticipated season of the Penny Hardaway era. But it’s the most pivotal. What lies ahead for Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers? It all begins tonight.”

Neither Memphis nor Missouri is the same team as it was when the two met one season ago.

Here’s how The Daily Memphian envisions the Tigers’ 2024-25 season playing out.

“As far as Penny Hardaway, I can honestly say this: I couldn’t be prouder of his willingness to try to adapt and understand what he does well and where we can help him,” Ed Scott said.

There are a few key factors that will determine the type of season the Tigers have in what is a crucial campaign for the program.

Why is a one-loss Tigers football team not drawing more fans to games? Frank Bonner II, Parth Upadhyaya and John Martin discuss.

The Tigers will now have to apply the lessons they learned from a pair of tough preseason exhibition games as they get set to officially open the 2024-25 season against Missouri on Monday at FedExForum.

“We’ve gotta practice harder,” Dain Dainja said after Memphis’ preseason charity exhibition loss to No. 2 Alabama on Monday. 

Memphis is officially through its two-game exhibition season, which concluded with a 96-88 loss to No. 2 Alabama in Huntsville.

So, what have we learned about this team?

The Tigers fell 96-88 to the Crimson Tide after trailing by as many as 21 points and never once leading.