The Tigers are not ranked, but AAC favorite Houston is No. 3.

Neither wet roads nor hail early in the day were going to keep Memphis fan Broderick Culp from driving up from Byhalia to attend a Tigers basketball block party.

The Tigers changed up their basketball season kickoff event this year, opting to host the inaugural Memphis Basketball Block Party instead of their usual Memphis Madness at FedExForum. 

Related story:

Buckley: Tigers and a block party fan from Byhalia out to prove Memphis is better than Houston

Four consecutive 20-win campaigns, a National Invitational Tournament title in 2021 and the program’s first appearance in the Big Dance since 2014 have provided Memphis and its fans with enough optimism for the future. And, now they know their coach is signed through 2028 and feels blessed to be here.

Adding two more years to his current contract gives Tigers coach Penny Hardaway something to say to those wondering about his NBA ambitions.

“... Most schools aren’t gonna give a guy six years to get it right. So for the school to do that, it says that they believe in me and believe in my ability to win here and do things right by the school and the city.”

“Our goal is to win a championship, so we don’t take anything as disrespect. But we do have a huge chip on our shoulder to show the world who we are,” DeAndre Williams said. 

Related stories:

Buckley: Penny now has something to tell parents who wonder about his next step

Martin: New extension in hand, Hardaway won’t ever be fired at Memphis

Memphis' Penny Hardaway reacts to new contract extension: ‘It’s a blessing'

Six more years of Penny Hardaway? Yes, it’s true. Hardaway signed a new deal with Memphis that runs through 2028. Here’s what it means.

Related story:

Memphis, Penny Hardaway agree to contract extension through 2027-28

The Tigers have extended coach Penny Hardaway’s current contract by two seasons to run through the end of the 2027-28 season.

The Tigers finished 16-12 overall and 6-9 in AAC play last season. Under head coach Katrina Merriweather, the team quadrupled its win total from the 2020-21 campaign and recorded its first 15-win season since 2015-16. 

Memphis was the only team to have more than one of its players receive All-AAC first-team honors. Houston was picked to win the AAC in the preseason coaches poll. 

After becoming the first commit in head coach Penny Hardaway’s 2023 class, it’s safe to say Ryan Forrest is no longer a secret or hidden gem.

Ryan Forrest — a 6-foot-3 three-star shooting guard — committed to the Tigers via Instagram Live on Monday evening. Forrest plays at Missouri’s Link Academy and is the No. 37 shooting guard in the country per 247Sports.

In what appears to be an intentional effort, Memphis didn’t land a single recruit from the Class of 2022. And, as a result, 13 of the 16 players on the Tigers’ roster are either true juniors or older. 

Memphis Tigers Kendric Davis and Alex Lomax have yet to play a game alongside each other, leaving many wondering how the point guards will jell — on and off the court.

Chris Douglas-Roberts — the former All-American at the University of Memphis who now goes by Supreme Bey — is launching a sparkling wine brand. 

The former Memphis Tiger scored a game-high 35 points and knocked down nine 3-pointers against Phoenix earlier this week.

The Memphis Tigers received confirmation Kendric Davis would be eligible to play this season but still await the decision for two more players. 

Entering his fifth season as Memphis’ head coach, Penny Hardaway wasn’t afraid to shake things up again. 

The team’s first open practice offered hints of a possible starting lineup, but the Oct. 23 exhibition against Christian Brothers will provide a true look at what type of team the Tigers will put on the court this season.

Despite the lack of national fanfare surrounding the Memphis Tigers heading into Hardaway’s fifth year as head coach, the future for his program is as bright as it’s been since he took over in 2018.

Something was different when the Memphis Tigers gathered for their annual open practice Friday night. What was it? “There’s no cloud,” said Penny Hardaway.

Related story:

With IARP ruling behind them, Tigers are ‘locked in’ ahead of season

Head coach Penny Hardaway’s team lost seven of the top 10 players from last season’s rotation and added six new transfers and one international prospect from Spain this offseason. So, there will be plenty of faces that fans will be unfamiliar with this year.

Related story:

Memphis Basketball Block Party will replace Memphis Madness

The “Memphis Basketball Block Party” on Oct. 15 will celebrate the start of its men’s and women’s basketball seasons. This event will replace Memphis Madness.

This month, various University of Memphis basketball coaches have visited at least 10 prospects — four in the Class of 2023 and six in the Class of 2024.