If you weren’t already impressed with Memphis’ 2025–26 non-conference schedule, Monday’s announcement should leave no doubt: Penny Hardaway is swinging for the fences again.
According to reports published Monday, the Memphis Tigers will host the Baylor Bears on December 6 at FedEx Forum in a nationally relevant matchup between two of the sport’s most respected programs. With this latest addition, Memphis continues to load up on one of college basketball’s most challenging and high-profile non-conference schedules. The matchup between the two programs is the start of a four-year, home-and-home series that will start and end in Memphis.
It’s not just impressive, it’s fearless.
Another Resume-Building Giant Comes to Town
Make no mistake, this is more than just another big-name opponent on the schedule. Baylor is a blue-chip program, a recent national champion (2021), and a consistent threat in the Big 12 under head coach Scott Drew. This will be a high-stakes, high-visibility game, and it’s set to take place in the heart of Memphis, giving the Tigers a golden opportunity to secure a marquee win in front of their home crowd.
For a program with postseason aspirations and a roster filled with new faces, it’s the kind of game that could serve as a launching pad—or a measuring stick. Either way, it’s another sign that Hardaway isn’t dodging anyone.
Unlike many marquee programs in Power Four conferences, Memphis doesn’t have the luxury of coasting on a league that routinely sends five or six teams to the tournament. In the AAC, the margin for error is slim. That’s why every non-conference game counts, and why Penny Hardaway continues to schedule like it. Because for Memphis, every win matters—and every opportunity must be maximized.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the gauntlet Memphis is about to run in non-conference play:
Purdue (Baha Mar Championship opener – Top 5 team)
Baylor (December 6 – FedEx Forum)
Mississippi State (December 20 – Road)
Ole Miss (TBD – Road)
Utah State (February 14 – Road)
Louisville (December 13 – Road)
San Francisco (November 8 – Home)
UNLV (November 16 – Home – Josh Pastner’s return to Memphis)
You’re not reading the Big 12 or SEC slate—that’s just Memphis’ non-conference schedule.
Few programs, even the Blue Bloods, have a schedule like this. Most Power Five teams will add two or three challenging non-conference opponents and then fill out the rest with mid- or low-majors to stack early wins. Memphis? They’re daring the rest of college basketball to test them.
Penny’s Mindset: Test Early, Prove It Often
This scheduling strategy isn’t new for Hardaway, but it is more ambitious than ever. After finishing last season with the No. 4 non-conference strength of schedule and a 10-3 record in those games, Penny is doubling down—despite losing key pieces like PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter.
Why?
Because Memphis knows the score, in the current college basketball landscape, mid-major leagues like the AAC get at least one or two NCAA Tournament bids. To guarantee inclusion, you need a resume that can’t be ignored. That’s what Penny is building.
Unlike many marquee programs in Power Five conferences, Memphis doesn’t have the luxury of coasting on a league that routinely sends five or six teams to the tournament. In the AAC, the margin for error is slim. That’s why every non-conference game counts, and why Penny Hardaway continues to schedule like it. Because for Memphis, every win matters—and every opportunity must be maximized.
High Risk, High Reward
This approach is not without danger. Last year’s Tigers team won the AAC regular season and conference tournament titles. Still, it was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after being plagued by late-season injuries. That loss was a reminder: health and depth can undo even the best regular seasons in March.
But it’s also what makes this year’s group fascinating. With a reloaded roster that includes Aaron Bradshaw, Dug McDaniel, Curtis Givens III, Sincere Parker, and more, Memphis is once again expected to contend for the league crown. And now, with this schedule, they’ve got a chance to build a tournament resume that doesn’t just get them in—it could land them a top 6 seed or better if things break right.
The last time FedEx Forum hosted a game of this magnitude with this kind of national weight? You’d probably have to go back to the John Calipari days.
This matchup against Baylor will be more than just a great game—it will be a celebration of where the Memphis program is and where it’s trying to go. It’s Penny betting on his team, fans, and city. And if history is any indication, they usually show up big when Memphis schedules big.
So, thank Penny Hardaway and Scott Drew for making it happen. December 6 is officially circled on the calendar. And when the lights come on at FedEx Forum, you can bet Memphis will be ready.
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