Tiger Basketball Podcast

The Memphis basketball program learned Tuesday it can officially put the years-long NCAA investigation behind it. Penny Hardaway and his Tigers, as determined by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, were completely absolved of the most severe allegations, receiving a few minor penalties for lesser infractions. That constituted a massive win for a lot of people. Who are the biggest winners? Is it possible the delivery of that news will wind up representing a huge springboard into the 2022-23 season for new-look Memphis? How much better off might Hardaway and the Tigers be now that they can turn their full attention toward actual basketball and only actual basketball? Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz and Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto discuss these things, along with the top storylines as Memphis begins official practices and the excitement surrounding the program now that the IARP is completely in the rear-view mirror on the return of the Tiger Basketball Podcast. 

Memphis basketball's season may have ended, but the news around the program continues all the same.  The Tigers, whose NCAA Tournament appearance was another positive step for coach Penny Hardaway and his team, have had a bit of a rough offseason thus far. Josh Minott declared for the NBA Draft. Third-year assistant coach Cody Toppert left for LSU. Three players, so far, have entered the transfer portal. And it all comes amid the emergence of new details in Memphis' ongoing NCAA infractions case.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into all of the above and more. 

The Memphis basketball team's exhilarating stretch run concluded last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  The Tigers' appearance in the Big Dance – their first under coach Penny Hardaway and first since 2014 – will have a major impact on the program. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect the numerous benefits it could have. They also discuss Hardaway's growth as coach and detail Memphis' top priorities this offseason. 

Penny Hardaway has gotten the Memphis basketball team to the round of 32 at the NCAA Tournament.  The Tigers defeated Boise State Thursday at the Moda Center to score the program's first Big Dance victory in eight years.  On this special edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto break down how Memphis beat the Broncos, highlight Hardaway and Alex Lomax and look ahead to Saturday's marquee matchup (8:40 p.m., TBS) versus Gonzaga, the No. 1 overall seed. 

Memphis, the 9 seed, and Boise State, the 8 seed.  The Tigers and Broncos are, on paper, at least, as evenly matched as they come. But, should the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee have put two of the hottest teams in the country against one another in the first round?  In this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into that topic. In addition, they look back at Memphis' AAC Tournament run and discuss how it might affect the team moving forward. Munz and Giannotto also break down the Tigers-Broncos matchup and examine the big picture as it pertains to the program as a whole. 

Memphis polished off a white-hot stretch to end the season by pounding Houston.  Now, the Tigers head to the AAC Tournament, hoping to carry that momentum with them.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto recap the scene inside FedExForum during last week's beatdown of Houston, put into perspective how far Memphis has come and examine the team's NCAA Tournament prospects. 

Jalen Duren or Landers Nolley II?  Coaching or free throw shooting?  Rallying from behind or winning big?  The Memphis basketball team's turnaround – winning eight of its last nine games – has been chock full of impressive moments and big-time performances. On this week's Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect some of the more under-appreciated aspects of the hot streak.  In addition, Munz and Giannotto discuss Memphis' place on the bubble and looks ahead to the Tigers' big games at USF and at home against No. 14 Houston. 

There's a lot riding on the next two weeks for the Memphis basketball team.  It begins Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN2) when the Tigers welcome Temple to FedExForum.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine what went wrong in Memphis' loss at SMU, preview the upcoming game against the Owls and take a look at where the Tigers are positioned with regard to the big (NCAA Tournament) picture. 

Down the stretch they come.  Having won six straight – and with five games left in the regular season – the Memphis basketball team has put itself in a position where each game seems to be more important than the one before it. That may not be any truer than Sunday's matchup with SMU (2 p.m., ESPN).  A win over the Mustangs would do a lot for the Tigers. Let us count the ways. Beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto get into that on this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, while also discussing how Memphis got here and the unique situation it finds itself in with regard to injured freshman Emoni Bates. 

The Memphis basketball team will take momentum built from a four-game winning streak into No. 6 Houston on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC).  The Tigers aren't an NCAA Tournament team just yet. But the game against the Cougars marks an opportunity for them to prove they are. Which is impressive considering the damage Memphis did to its resumè earlier this season.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto discuss what has made the team's four-game winning streak so encouraging. They'll also break down the most recent wins over UCF and Tulane before getting into the keys to the contest against Houston and whether Memphis needs to beat the Cougars to get into the NCAA Tournament. 

The Memphis basketball team could make the trip to Cincinnati this week healthier than it has been in more than two months.  Several Tigers (Landers Nolley II, Jalen Duren, Jayden Hardaway and DeAndre Williams) have each missed an extended amount of time in recent weeks due to various injuries. They might all be back for Thursday's game (7 p.m., ESPN2).  If that's the case, it will certainly make Penny Hardaway happy. But it will also leave him and the rest of his staff with some potentially difficult decisions when it comes to the rotation and the roles each player will take on.  Beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect those subjects on this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast. They also preview the Cincinnati game and highlight the job first-year women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather has done so far this season. 

Last time out, the Memphis basketball team beat Tulsa – the last-place team in the AAC – on the road by two points.  But it feels like more than that. It feels like the Tigers might have saved their season from total catastrophe.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto break down Memphis' win at Tulsa, look back at Penny Hardaway's viral moment and dig in to how the schedule sets up for the Tigers over the next month. 

Dull moments are few and far between for the Memphis basketball program these days.  Coach Penny Hardaway, on the heels of back-to-back road losses to UCF and ECU, announced assistant coach Rasheed Wallace (a former NBA All-Star) has transitioned to a "consultant's role" and will work remotely the remainder of the season.  The news was delivered just a day before the Tigers are due to host SMU (6 p.m. Thursday).  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto unpack the Wallace news, discuss the team's injury situation and analyze the importance of momentum. 

If you're looking for dull moments in the 2021-22 Memphis basketball season up to this point, we wish you luck.  Penny Hardaway and his Tigers, despite winning for the third time in four games Tuesday, left FedExForum in a foul mood after another chapter in what has been a rollercoaster couple of months.  On this episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto look back on the victory over Tulsa, discuss the team's injury situation and examine some things that could help Memphis seize control of the race for the AAC title. 

Memphis picked itself up off the mat Tuesday and delivered a resounding 92-78 win over eighth-ranked Alabama (No. 6 in this week's Associated Press poll).  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto relive some of the highlights, as well as some of the under-the-radar moments, from the win over the Crimson Tide. They also answer questions like, "How much damage from Memphis' four-game losing streak is mitigated by the upset victory?" and "Is there an even better version of the Tigers than the one we saw Tuesday?" Finally, Munz and Giannotto close things out by focusing on the upcoming neutral-site grudge match between Memphis and Tennessee (11 a.m. Saturday, ESPN2). 

The Tigers are a team on the brink of a full-fledged crisis.  Can they recover?  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine the problems Memphis has faced during its three-game losing streak and discuss whether the team can get things turned around in time. 

There are no second chances when it comes to first impressions. To this point, the Memphis basketball team has played exclusively at home and exclusively on ESPN+. That changes this week as the Tigers travel to Brooklyn, N.Y., where they will face Virginia Tech on Wednesday in a game that will be broadcast to a national audience (ESPN2). And there’s a chance Memphis will be back on ESPN2 on Friday, facing No. 25 Xavier. Which Penny Hardaway squad will show up? On this week’s episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto analyze Memphis’ most recent win and examine what changes (if any) it will make before Wednesday’s 8:30 p.m. tip-off.

The first three games of the Memphis basketball season have revealed plenty about these Tigers.  Want a weekly breakdown of all things Grizzlies, Tigers and 901 FC? Consider subscribing to our Memphis Sports newsletter. Most notably, despite all of the team's flaws, Penny Hardaway and Co. are still very good. We've also learned, however, that with a little work, a few adjustments in certain areas and maybe some more time together, the Tigers' ceiling could be among the five highest in the country.  On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine what's gone right (Emoni Bates and the team's shooting ability), what needs to be addressed (turnovers, point guard and Hardaway's rotations), and what's possible if and when everything aligns for Memphis. 

Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren were as advertised and the Memphis basketball team's veteran core gave the Tigers all the stability it needed to come away winners in the season opener.  How it all came together and where they still have work to do are the primary topics of this week's edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast. Co-hosts Mark Giannotto and Jason Munz break down the lineup combinations that were most effective and least effective in Tuesday's win over Tennessee Tech, discuss Memphis' upcoming matchup with North Carolina Central, and identify the biggest difference between these Tigers and Penny Hardaway's first three teams. 

The trajectory of the upcoming Memphis basketball season will hinge on myriad variables.  How it utilizes veteran guard Alex Lomax might be at the top of the list.  On this episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto debate the topic, while also evaluating the role of star freshman Emoni Bates. Munz and Giannotto also survey the big picture and make a few predictions regarding the 2021-22 Tigers and the season to come.