The Memphis Tigers head into a pivotal season under the guidance of head coach Penny Hardaway. The program went from being a projected top seed in last year’s NCAA tournament to a team hanging by a thread at season’s end. The 2023-2024 campaign finally ended after an embarrassing defeat in the American Athletic Conference tournament to Wichita State, a team that Memphis knocked off twice during the regular season.
Many believe that the Tigers had a significant chance to run the table during the AAC tournament, which would have led to a second-straight NCAA tournament berth under Hardaway. However, those aspirations were dead on arrival. Lack of team cohesion and defensive liabilities were identified as the main reasons for the downfall of the Tigers. The turnover on the roster has been a recurring challenge, but this year, the influx of new talent presents an opportunity to rewrite last season’s narrative. The key question is how Memphis can harness these changes to ensure they don’t fall into the same pitfalls.
For the Tigers to move past last season’s disappointments, the new roster must gel and fully embrace Hardaway and his coaching staff’s vision—a vision that focuses on renewed defensive intensity and cohesive team play.
Last year, it was repeatedly mentioned that despite having a talented roster that demonstrated they could hang with some of college basketball’s best teams, the team was never united as a strong group. According to reports based on interviews with the personnel, the current Memphis squad is deeply invested in the program’s vision of contending for an AAC title and beyond for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Players arrived well ahead of schedule and started preparation for the forthcoming season.
But as we know by now, most of the Memphis fan base will not be convinced that the team has turned away from a mindset that led to a mid to late-season collapse where they held a record of 15-2 until a more consistent product is displayed. The team had more reliable scoring than previous seasons, but the tradeoff for those benefits was that the Tiger’s stingy defense, which they had become known for under Hardaway, had taken a back seat. As for turnovers, they have always been an issue for Memphis, but their inability to defend on any given night was a glaring problem throughout last season.
Baraka Okojie, known for his quick hands and on-ball defense, brings a perimeter presence that can disrupt opposing guards. Tyreek Smith’s versatility allows him to switch effectively across multiple positions, which will be crucial in shoring up the defense. Dain Dainja, with his size and shot-blocking ability, is expected to anchor the paint. At the same time, Mousse Cisse’s rebounding prowess and defensive instincts will address one of Memphis’ most glaring weaknesses from last season—the inability to control the boards. The trio of Dainja, Cisse, and Smith should be more than enough to strengthen the Tigers’ interior.
The group needs to be upgraded over the rebounding effort that led to Memphis being one of the worst teams in college basketball last year. PJ Haggerty’s proven scoring ability will significantly boost the offensive end. His knack for creating his shot and consistency from beyond the arc makes him a potential go-to scorer for the Tigers. Tyreek Smith and Dain Dainja will also contribute defensively by adding crucial points in the paint and second-chance opportunities. This trio offers a balanced offensive attack that Memphis desperately needs to avoid the scoring droughts that plagued them last season.
Haggerty is a name to watch for when it comes to a potential leading scorer for Memphis this season. The transfer portal talent comes from a Tulsa team that helped improve their win total by 11 victories. He finished the year ranked 15th in the nation, scoring 21.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals.
As the Memphis Tigers gear up for the 2024-2025 season, they do so with the lessons of last year fresh in their minds. The arrival of new talent and a renewed commitment to team cohesion and defensive excellence give the Tigers a solid foundation to build. While challenges remain, there is a palpable optimism that this team can rebound from last season’s setbacks and emerge as a formidable contender in the AAC. With Hardaway at the helm and a roster hungry for redemption, Memphis is poised to make a statement. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if the Tigers can stay united and execute their game plan, they have every chance to succeed and exceed expectations.
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