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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Box score: Memphis 71, Michigan State 63

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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.

This is the box score for the NCAA Maui Invitational game between the Memphis Tigers and the Michigan State Spartans on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii.

The Tigers now have wins over four KenPom top-100 teams.

Memphis and Michigan State last met in the 2013 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, where the Spartans beat the Tigers. The Tigers own a 2-1 all-time series lead.

The Tigers and Grizzlies tag teamed on Monday to give Memphis “one of the best days” of November basketball imaginable. 

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Penny Hardaway’s Tigers were again among the biggest stories in college basketball on Monday morning in Hawaii. And, for the first time in at least 11 months, it wasn’t because of any scandal or drama or firings or controversy of any sort. 

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Box score: Memphis 99, UConn 97 (OT)

No, this wasn’t an NCAA Tournament win. No, this doesn’t mean the Tigers can go directly to the Sweet 16 — or even the tournament. But this was the biggest regular-season win in a long time.

Coach Penny Hardaway’s team made one of the biggest early statements of the college basketball season in their win over the two-time defending NCAA champion Huskies.

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NCAA men’s basketball box score for the game between the Memphis Tigers and UConn Huskies.

The top 10 of Upadhyaya’s AP Top 25 ballot remained the same after a relatively tame week in college basketball. But, with Feast Week upon us, that shouldn’t be the case for long.

Nelson Taylor, the Maui Invitational’s director, speaks about the process of selecting the Maui Invitational field, why Memphis was chosen, the return to the Lahaina Civic Center after being played in Honolulu last year and more.

The Tigers will take on the No. 2 Huskies, the two-time defending NCAA champion, in the first game of college basketball’s premier annual Thanksgiving Week tournament.

The Tigers’ Tilly Boler posted another 20-point performance, her third of the season and ninth of her career. Alasia Smith had 12 points to go with 12 rebounds and six assists. 

The Tigers left almost as much to be desired as they did to be celebrated against the Dons.

Led by Dain Dainja’s 18 points and seven rebounds, the Tigers (4-0) outscored the Dons (4-1) 46-33 in the second half to avoid what would’ve been a letdown ahead of next week’s Maui Invitational.

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Box score: Memphis 68, San Francisco 64

This is the box score for the NCAA game between the Memphis Tigers and the San Francisco Dons on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in San Francisco.

The Tigers will be tested when they face the Dons in a warmup game ahead of next week’s Maui Invitational.

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In a game that entered the fourth quarter tied and saw the lead change three times, the Tigers (2-3) came up short in their attempt to tie the game with 29 seconds left.

The Tigers will play four games in seven days, starting against San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 21, and continuing with back-to-back-to-back games at next week’s Maui Invitational.

According to KenPom, Memphis’ bench has only totaled 21.8% of the team’s total minutes so far this season. That ranks No. 349 out of 364 Division I teams.

Power forward Tyreek Smith, who briefly spent time with the Memphis Tigers basketball program, has a new home.