Just three days after its most impressive showing of the season in a win over Ole Miss, did the Memphis Tigers take Little Rock seriously? 

After a physical win over Little Rock, it’s on to games against two nationally ranked opponents.

NCAA men’s basketball box for the Memphis Tigers game against Little Rock played Tuesday, Dec. 6, at FedExForum in Memphis.

Head coach Penny Hardaway’s squad easily handled Little Rock as the Tigers (7-2) cruised to an 87-71 win over the Trojans (2-7) at FedExForum.

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Box score: Memphis 87, Little Rock 71

What Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said first during his radio show Monday was telling.

The Tigers’ contest with the Trojans comes on the heels of a big win over Ole Miss and four days before a showdown with No. 11 Auburn.

It was all about the win. But the Tigers big was just three assists shy of delivering a triple double in the victory over the Rebels.

Alex Lomax called it a “legendary” night. It was, at the very least, emphatic. Exactly 364 days after losing to Ole Miss in chaotic fashion, the Memphis Tigers exacted their revenge, 68-57.

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the University of Memphis Tigers game against the Ole Miss Rebels at FedExForum in Memphis.

Memphis built a 22-point lead in the first 12 minutes, and after an Ole Miss comeback, the Tigers hung on for the 11-point win at FedExForum.

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Box score: Memphis 68, Ole Miss 57

When the Tigers tip off against the Rebels on Saturday, they will open the most difficult stretch of their season — non-conference or conference.

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Transfer from UTEP had a first half against North Alabama coach Penny Hardaway would love to see much more often. 

Memphis cruised to a 87-68 win over North Alabama on Wednesday night at FedExForum in a game that was more a dress rehearsal than anything else.

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Box score: Memphis 87, North Alabama 68

Box score for the NCAA men’s basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and North Alabama Lions played Wednesday, Nov. 30, at FedExForum in Memphis.

The Daily Memphian’s Parth Upadhyaya and John Martin bandy about the most intriguing questions surrounding the Memphis Tigers as of late.

Though this one looks like a sure win for Memphis, the Tigers’ matchup with North Alabama is exactly the type of contest that can be a trap game.

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The Tigers traveled to Orlando over Thanksgiving weekend to compete as one of eight teams in the ESPN Events Invitational. These early-season multi-team events — better known as MTEs — are valuable for many reasons.

An ugly win still counts as a win, and Memphis needs as many as it can get in the non-conference.

Scoring was balanced and 3-point shooting slightly improved for coach Penny Hardaway and the Tigers at the ESPN Events Invitational, but sluggish starts continue to prove problematic.

The 2022-2023 Memphis Tigers may not play a pretty brand of basketball. But the way they fight together? Head coach Penny Hardaway calls it “a beautiful thing.”

The University of Memphis Tigers played the Stanford Cardinal Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Florida.

Kendric Davis led the way with 14 points; DeAndre Williams and Alex Lomax each added 12 points, and don’t forget Keonté Kennedy’s monster dunk as the Tigers leave Florida with two victories.

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Box score: Memphis 56, Stanford 48

While March is months away, coach Penny Hardaway’s team won’t have many chances for quality wins in a weak AAC. It must seize opportunities it has now. Beating the Cardinal at the ESPN Events Invitational would be a good start.