Calkins: Auburn loss raises hard questions about Memphis basketball and Penny Hardaway
Coach Penny Hardaway talks to guard Boogie Ellis (5) as the Tigers face Auburn Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Holiday Hoopsgiving preseason game in Atlanta. (Courtesy Michael Wade)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Hardaway called it his “hardest loss.” Memphis fans may share that sentiment. There also is a seed of concern that he might not be able to get this team to the NCAA tournament.
Topics
Memphis basketball Penny Hardaway Memphis Tigers Memphis vs. Auburn College Basketball D.J. Jeffries Subscriber OnlyRelated stories
Tigers basketball: Which players, lineups have best impact?
It’s still a small sample size, but three players are commonalities in the lineups with a positive plus-minus.
Memphis drops final nonconference game, 74-71, against Auburn
The University of Memphis Tigers were hurt by unforced turnovers and missed free throws as they faced Auburn in Atlanta.
Memphis looking inward after frustrating loss to Auburn
Consistent effort is in short supply as Penny Hardaway finds himself having to “beg and plead” for team play.