Landers Nolley II and Lester Quinones are among Tigers to take home The Daily Memphian’s end-of-season awards. 

Mere days after the Tigers won the NIT, Ellis, Baugh and Jeffries have decided to leave.

Katrina Merriweather looks like a perfect fit as the new coach. Here’s hoping she returns the program to relevance.

Related story:

Memphis’ new women’s basketball coach lauded as ‘proven winner’ and a ‘star’

It wasn’t always sunny skies for the Tigers, but they capped the season with a dominant NIT title run. 

The Memphis Tigers could be a dangerous team next season if their most important players return. But will they? In the age of the transfer portal, all bets are off. 

Merriweather had a winning record in each of her five seasons at Wright State and will be tasked with turning around a Memphis program that won just four games in 2020-21. 

March 28, 2021, NIT championship: Memphis 77, Mississippi St. 64

Related stories:

Memphis demolishes Mississippi State in NIT championship

Alex Lomax relishes NIT championship with eye on next season

The Tigers clinch the National Invitation Tournament title with their patented defense and transition scoring.

Related stories:

NIT championship box score: Memphis 77, Mississippi St. 64

Alex Lomax relishes NIT championship with eye on next season

Calkins: It was a perfect ending for the Tigers

‘We did it man’ — Players rejoice and see what’s possible

The best of the Tigers on Twitter: Shoutouts, dancing and the trophy

The Tigers, like so many other teams, could have opted out of the NIT. It is to their immense credit that they instead opted all the way in.

March 27, 2021: Memphis 90, Colorado State 67

Related story:

NIT semifinals: Memphis blows by Colorado State, 90-67

Tigers’ offense breaks out, led by Landers Nolley II and DeAndre Williams.

Related story:

Box score: Memphis 90, Colorado State 67

D.J. Jeffries seemed likely to be headed elsewhere after this season ended. Could the team’s run to the NIT final four help keep him around?

Related stories:

NIT quarterfinals: Tigers surprise with clutch free throws in win over Boise State

For the Tigers, the devil (and the delight) is in the details

Box score: Memphis 59, Boise State 56

Related story:

NIT quarterfinals: Tigers surprise with clutch free throws in win over Boise State

D.J. Jeffries makes the ‘winning play’ -- and then says something you really should hear

Box score: Memphis 59, Boise State 56

March 25, 2021: The Memphis Tigers defeated Boise State 59-56 in the National Invitational Tournament in Denton, Texas.

Related stories:

Tigers surprise with clutch free throws in win over Boise State

Calkins: D.J. Jeffries makes a ‘winning play’ — and then says something you really should hear

For the Tigers, the devil (and the delight) is in the details

Madlock has worked alongside Hardaway, his former college teammate at Memphis, ever since Hardaway was hired in 2018.

Moussa Cisse and D.J. Jeffries reflect on their personal development ahead of Thursday’s NIT matchup versus the Broncos.

“Man, their defensive numbers are off the charts,” Boise State’s coach said of the Tigers Monday. 

In addition to being a knockdown shooter, Quinones has unlocked his potential as a ferocious defender and rebounder. 

When the Memphis Tigers hired Penny Hardaway three years ago, a trip to the NIT was not the goal. But could it be the kick-start the program needs?