The Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball team has welcomed a fresh core of players well ahead of the season’s tip-off. But will this early arrival translate into a cohesive unit that delivers consistent success throughout the season? The current roster has diligently worked out, participated in training drills, and studied team schematics to understand each other’s playing styles and build a strong bond. The big question is whether this early preparation will yield long-term success and a more consistent performance than previous years, where the team often struggled to find its rhythm and worked out the kinks as the season progressed. Can head coach Penny Hardaway’s latest squad hit the ground running this season?
Let’s take a closer look at the current roster: Tyrese Hunter, P.J. Haggerty, Coby Rogers, Dain Dainja, Nicholas Jourdain, Moussa Cissé, Baraka Okojie, Tyreek Smith, PJ Carter, Damarion Yates, Ragi Phillips, Jared Harris, incoming freshman, and Daniel Vera-Tuck, who may or may not join this year’s program. Reports from May indicated that all players had arrived in Memphis to prepare for the upcoming season.
According to Hardaway, the primary reason for bringing the players together well before the season starts is to facilitate their acclimation. The early arrival allows the players to get to know each other, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and establish team dynamics. They can work on schemes and identify star players, leaders, playmakers, and those willing to do the essential but often overlooked work. The goal is to create a more cohesive and consistent team in and out of conference play.
In postgame press conferences, Coach Hardaway has frequently emphasized that a major challenge for the team, especially in the past season, was that the players were still getting to know each other deep into the schedule. This lack of familiarity led to the team learning and adapting on the fly, which ultimately affected their performance. While not making excuses, it’s evident that the limited time spent together last season played a significant role in the team’s struggles. By prioritizing early team bonding and preparation, Hardaway hopes to avoid similar issues and achieve greater consistency this season.
The Tigers had an impressive resume that should have earned them a spot in the tournament. They secured significant victories against non-conference teams such as Clemson, Texas A&M, Virginia, Arkansas, and Michigan, showcasing their potential and talent. However, their performance in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) ultimately disappointed them.
Despite their strong non-conference run, the Tigers struggled once they entered AAC play. Many games were close, often requiring late-game heroics to secure wins. The turning point came when they blew a 20-point lead against South Florida, beginning their decline. Coach Penny Hardaway later explained that one of the primary reasons for their struggles was a lack of cohesion and familiarity among the players. The team had not spent enough time together to fully understand each other’s playing styles, which hindered their performance and consistency.
With the players arriving early, they now have a valuable opportunity to understand the team’s schemes and grasp what it means to be a Memphis Tiger. Coach Penny Hardaway has ensured the players are here well before the season starts on November 4th against Missouri at FedEx Forum. This early cohesion could be crucial in leading the team to success and maintaining consistency throughout the season. This team could surpass the fan base’s expectations if everything falls into place.
The fan base is not overly enthusiastic about this year’s team, and it’s understandable, given last season’s disappointing finish. There’s a prevailing sense of skepticism and a “wait-and-see” attitude among supporters. Building strong team cohesion before the season begins is the key to winning back their confidence. Coach Hardaway recognizes that assembling and developing the team on the fly while aiming for NCAA tournament berths is risky for any program, whether a powerhouse or a mid-major.
Talent alone isn’t enough. The team will struggle if the players don’t come together early, establish chemistry, and understand each other’s games and vibes well before the season starts. Early preparation and bonding are essential for the Tigers to compete effectively and reach their potential this season.
Achieving long-term and consistent success has challenged the program since Penny Hardaway took over. The team has often faced periods of inconsistency, whether early in the season or down the stretch. Two years ago, players like Kendrick Davis and DeAndre Williams managed to mask many of the team’s shortcomings despite these issues. They understood their roles, figured things out, and ultimately led the team to the tournament.
With all the players arriving early and working out together, this new roster has a significant opportunity to gel. As they learn each other’s games, identify the go-to scorers, and establish the roles of the support players, the potential for a strong, cohesive team is there. However, it all depends on how well they can bring it together.
With the season opener against Missouri at FedEx Forum approaching in November, the focus will be on whether this early cohesion translates into on-court success. We’re now in August, just two months away from the start of college basketball. The Tigers’ rematch with Missouri, following last season’s game in Columbia, will be a crucial test.
The early part of the season will reveal if the team’s offseason efforts have paid off. Key questions include whether the team has come together and if the early preparation has made them more consistent. Observing these dynamics will be essential in determining if this team is better positioned for success than in previous years.
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