Memphis should be able to make progress in key areas and build some momentum against a struggling UNLV squad led by former Tigers coach Josh Pastner.

As Memphis embarks on yet another grueling nonconference schedule against Power 4 programs it’s clear the playing field has shifted. Should our annual expectations follow?

“We had a great seven-year run,” former Memphis coach and current UNLV coach Josh Pastner said of his time with the Tigers. “There were some great highs. A couple challenges, for sure.”

There was a level of legitimate concern in Memphis coach Penny Hardaway’s voice after the Tigers’ 83-77 road loss to the Rebels.

Memphis was disappointed after losing to the Rebels in front of a rowdy crowd in Oxford, but not all hope is lost.

Memphis was led by point guard Dug McDaniel’s 15 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and guard Curtis Givens III’s 18 points.

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Box score: Ole Miss 83, Memphis 77

Box score for the NCAA basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.

The Tigers play their first road game against the Rebels in Oxford.

In a game in which the pendulum quickly swung in the opposite direction, the Tigers flashed their potential while also showing how poorly things can look when they aren’t entirely engaged.

When Simon Majok hit a 3-pointer, Memphis fans may have asked: “Wait, who is that again?” Majok was one of the happy surprises as another Tiger season tipped off.

Former Cordova High and Whitehaven standout shows some fire making his debut in coach Penny Hardaway’s program.

In a game that finally counted toward their win-loss record, the Tigers (1-0) did enough to pick up a win against San Francisco in their regular-season opener Saturday at FedExForum.

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Box score: Memphis 76, San Francisco 70

This is the NCAA men’s basketball box score for the game between the San Francisco Dons and the Memphis Tigers played at FedExForum.

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

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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.

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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.