Buckley: With four Tiger starters playing a lot, managing minutes comes with concern for Penny Hardaway
Memphis Tigers guard Luke Almodovar (10) his helped by a team trainer after falling to the court after a dunk during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, in Nashville. (George Walker IV/AP)
Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
But three games into their 2026-27 season, some roster rotation trends are starting to develop for coach Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers.
Some concerns too.
“For me we do have to worry about the outside noise, because internally you’re gonna get some guys-that-aren’t-playing’s feelings hurt,” Hardaway said after Memphis’ 1-point home win over VCU last Saturday and before its blowout loss to No. 22 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night in Nashville. “You’re gonna get the media separating guys from the team, obviously then, because they’re playing well.”
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