Memphis lost to Arkansas State of the Sun Belt, but Penny Hardaway’s faith in the Tigers remains strong. Red Wolves coach Bryan Hodgson’s does too.

Fans had flashbacks to last season as a Memphis team that had notched wins over then-No. 2 UConn and Michigan State in Maui less than two weeks ago led for only 38 seconds against Arkansas State.

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Box score: Arkansas State 85, Memphis 72

Memphis can’t dig out of early hole in double-digit loss to Arkansas State

A 13-point halftime deficit ballooned to 18 just minutes into the second half. And, even when Memphis tried to respond, it wasn’t enough. Nope, there was no late-game switch the Tigers could flip this time.

NCAA men’s basketball box score for Sunday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and Arkansas State Red Wolves played at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The University of Memphis women’s basketball team lost to the Southern Miss Lady Eagles, on Sunday Dec. 8 at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The Tigers will host the preseason Sun Belt Conference favorite Red Wolves on Sunday at FedExForum.

John Martin and Parth Upadhyaya discuss the Tigers’ performance in last week’s Maui Invitational. Martin and Frank Bonner II analyze the Tigers’ Thanksgiving Day win at Tulane.

Coach Penny Hardaway notes how easy it is to believe the hype after games like those in Maui. “You start reading that, and you forget that you still have to go play.”

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Memphis Tigers avoid upset with late win over Louisiana Tech

Box score: Memphis 81, Louisiana Tech 71

It wasn’t pretty, but the No. 16 Tigers eventually did enough to put away the pesky Bulldogs on Wednesday night at FedExForum.

This is the box score for the NCAA game between the Memphis Tigers and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at FedExForum.

The Bulldogs of Conference USA are ranked No. 104 in KenPom and No. 88 in the NET, representing a Quadrant III opportunity for the Tigers.

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Tigers Basketball Insider: A look at Memphis in initial NCAA NET rankings

The Tigers were No. 31 in the NCAA’s first NET rankings of the 2024-25 season. What does this mean?

The basketball Tigers are ranked. The football Tigers are ranked at the same time. When has that happened during a Grizzlies playoff season? Never. These are heady times. 

Hardaway describes Memphis’ rise from unranked to No. 16 in the latest AP Top 25 poll during the first Penny Hardaway Radio Show at Brookhaven Pub & Grill.

Tigers ranked after a strong showing for the program at last week’s Maui Invitational.

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Tigers beat writer Parth Upadhyaya’s latest AP Top 25 ballot

Where did Memphis land on Upadhyaya’s AP Top 25 ballot after the Tigers’ strong showing in Maui? 

After Memphis built a 13-11 lead near the end of the first quarter, the Bucs went on a 24-5 extended run over seven minutes to hold a firm advantage.

The goodwill the Tigers earned with their two victories in Maui shouldn’t be thrown away simply because of a loss to unbeaten Auburn.

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Memphis overpowered by Auburn in Maui title game

Box score: Auburn 90, Memphis 76

Seven games into the season, the Tigers have come together better than anyone could have imagined.

Point guard PJ Haggerty led the Tigers with 27 points and nine rebounds.

This is the box score for the NCAA Maui Invitational championship game between the Memphis Tigers and the Auburn Tigers on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii.

A win over Auburn would give Memphis its first-ever Maui Invitational title in what is its sixth appearance in the tournament.

Though the story surrounding Memphis ahead of its trip to Hawaii was the play of PJ Haggerty, it’s Tyrese Hunter who’s been the surprise star for coach Penny Hardaway’s group through two games in Maui.

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What to watch in Memphis’ Maui Invitational final against Auburn

Memphis handles Michigan State, advances to title game in Maui

Box score: Memphis 71, Michigan State 63

Tigers Basketball Insider: Memphis getting respect after UConn win

Just before the season started, some national media suggested Penny Hardaway was on the hot seat. Well, if Hardaway was on the hot seat, the man has spent the week dumping a bathtub of water from the Pacific Ocean on the flame. 

Memphis was led by Tyrese Hunter’s 23 points and some aggressive team defense. The Tigers will play at 4 p.m. CST Wednesday vs. Auburn in the Maui Invitational championship.