Martin: Penny Hardaway is right. This Tigers team is different
Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway watches play against Clemson during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (Mike Stewart/AP)
John Martin
John Martin is a contributing college sports columnist for The Daily Memphian. Martin is a lifelong Memphian who’s covered the Memphis Tigers’ basketball program for more than a decade. Before joining The Daily Memphian team, he was the Memphis beat writer for The Athletic. Currently, he is the co-host of the Jason and John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN, weekdays at 11 a.m. Martin is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis.
After its season had hit a pothole in a loss to Arkansas State, the University of Memphis men’s basketball team had six long days to sit with it.
Penny Hardaway had six long days of having to explain why this team wasn’t anything like last year’s. He had six long days of having to assure an understandably anxious fanbase that the season wouldn’t come apart just because of one untimely home slip-up. These players are different, he said.
“We’re healthier, mentally and physically,” Hardaway said. “We have a really good team, and we can turn it around whenever we want it.”
Turns out, Hardaway was exactly right. This team is different.
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