Perhaps not everyone has bought in. Perhaps not everyone cares. Perhaps some are simply cashing a check. A leader like Dug McDaniel would know.

A matchup versus Mississippi State provides Memphis a chance to add a second Quad 2 win to its resume.

With a 4-6 start, things are looking bleak for Memphis basketball. But the Tigers haven’t lost hope.

“We definitely have to fight the (feeling of defeat) as a staff for the (players) not to get down and start giving in and caving in,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said after the Tigers’ loss to Vanderbilt.

The Commodores outscored the Tigers 15-8 in the five-minute overtime period.

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Box score: Vanderbilt 77, Memphis 70 (OT)

Box score for the NCAA basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at FedExForum on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Coach Mark Byington’s Vanderbilt Commodores are undefeated and on what is currently the nation’s fifth-longest win streak.

While it’s probably unwise to base anything off one particular game, the magnitude of the loss to Louisville should cause any Memphis fan to wonder what should be taken from it.

It didn’t take long after the Tigers tipped off against the Cardinals inside a raucous KFC Yum! Center in a 99-73 loss for one to wonder if Penny Hardaway’s team truly recognized the magnitude of the moment. 

This Memphis basketball game against Louisville paled beside past glories of the rivalry that goes back to 1949, long before the current Cardinals and Tigers were born.

The Cardinals made 18 3-pointers, shot 51.4% from 3-point distance and outscored the Tigers 54-9 from long distance.

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Box score: Louisville 99, Memphis 73

Box score for the University of Memphis basketball against Louisville Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky.

When the Tigers play No. 11 Cardinals on Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center, they’ll get their first crack in nearly eight years at one of their biggest rivals and have an opportunity to pick up their first Quadrant 1 win of the season.

The goal for Memphis has to be to elevate the status of its athletic programs so that it can credibly say that it’s a peer of Louisville’s once again.

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, point guard Dug McDaniel and wing Zach Davis spoke about the significance of the Tigers renewing their rivalry with Louisville ahead of their matchup with the No. 11 Cardinals on Saturday.

The towering Tigers, along with Memphis women’s basketball players Daejah Richmond and Brooklyn Alexander, and Tigers women’s coach Alex Simmons, helped five families spend gift cards of $1,000 each.

The Memphis Tigers coach only spoke with certainty regarding the status of Abdul Hakim during an appearance on AM 560’s “Sports 56 Mornings with Greg & Eli.”

Bradshaw was benched against New Orleans, then starred against Baylor. With Louisville next, how will he follow up?

Davis’ 23 points (on 7-of-14 shooting) and 13 rebounds — both career highs for the senior — led the Tigers (4-4) to a 78-71 win over Baylor on Saturday afternoon at FedExForum.

Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway was asked if he had advice for soon-to-be new Memphis football coach Charles Huff.

Led by Zach Davis’ 23-point and 13-rebound performance, the Tigers (4-4) beat Baylor at FedExForum.

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Box score: Memphis 78, Baylor 71

Penny Hardaway offers some advice to the Tigers’ new football coach

Zach Davis’ career performance pushes Memphis past Baylor

Box score for the University of Memphis Tigers’ game against the Baylor Bears Saturday, Dec. 6 at FedExForum.

An upset win over the Bears would be crucial for the Tigers to keep hope alive of building a resume worth of an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

After falling to No. 1 Purdue in November, it’s about to get real for the Memphis Tigers again. And coach Penny Hardaway faces some tough calls.

Forward Aaron Bradshaw never entered Memphis’ 86-70 win over New Orleans, while center Thierno Sylla only played two second-half minutes.