An upset win over the Bears would be crucial for the Tigers to keep hope alive of building a resume worth of an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

After falling to No. 1 Purdue in November, it’s about to get real for the Memphis Tigers again. And coach Penny Hardaway faces some tough calls.

Forward Aaron Bradshaw never entered Memphis’ 86-70 win over New Orleans, while center Thierno Sylla only played two second-half minutes. 

Guard Quante Berry’s 17 points led the attack. Five other Tigers scored in double digits, including point guard Dug McDaniel, who had 11 points and 10 assists.

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Box score: Memphis 86, New Orleans 70

Box score for the NCAA basketball game between the University of Memphis Tigers and the New Orleans Privateers at FedExForum on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

The Tigers face New Orleans on Wednesday at FedExForum before playing three consecutive games against teams currently ranked in the top 25 of KenPom.

Where do the Tigers sit in the first NET rankings of the season released by the NCAA? What do the NET rankings even mean? And why are they relevant?

After snapping a four-game losing streak, Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway opens up about the stress he’s been feeling.

Box score for the NCAA basketball game between the University of Memphis Tigers and the Southern Illinois University Salukis at FedExForum on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.

In a game in which 14 different Memphis players logged minutes, the Tigers had three players in double figures.

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Box score: Memphis 74, Southern Illinois 58

The Tigers must take care of business against Southern Illinois to avoid the program’s first five-game losing streak under coach Penny Hardaway.

“We have a roster that can win,” Penny Hardaway said after the Tigers’ first 1-4 start to a season since 1996-97. “We just haven’t figured out how to finish (games). And hopefully these losses hurt bad enough that when we get in those situations, (we do better).”

You could almost start to see the vision of the rest of the season. Sure, it was a really bad loss to UNLV. But Memphis would escape the Bahamas with a 1-1 record, the team is playing hard, and players are settling into roles. But it all came undone. Slowly, then all at once.

Wake Forest’s Myles Colvin hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Demon Deacons the one-point win over the Tigers.

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Box score: Wake Forest 69, Memphis 68

Box score for Baha Mar Hoops Championship game between the Memphis Tigers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Bahamas on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. 

Against top-ranked Purdue in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship, Memphis struck first and never stopped fighting. Wake Forest is up next.

CBS Sports analyst Emeka Okafor called the gutty win for Purdue “championship vitamins.” But the truth is that even a close loss like this one — to the top dog in the sport — will make Memphis fans feel a whole lot better.

Led by point guard Dug McDaniel’s 18 points, six assists and six rebounds, the Tigers went toe to toe with the Boilermakers — and were even ahead with less than six minutes to go — for 35 of the 40 minutes of gametime.

NCAA men’s basketball box score for Thursday’s game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Memphis Tigers.

The Memphis basketball season may be off to a tepid start, but I’ve got five burning questions as the Tigers prepare to play No. 1-ranked Purdue in the Bahamas.

It’s not a great time to be a Memphis sports fan. But is it the worst time? 

Coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers will attempt to shock the college basketball world against the top-ranked Boilermakers in their first game of the Baha Mar Hoops Championship.

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A look at Baha Mar Hoops Championship field as Memphis heads to Bahamas

Memphis will open play in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship against No. 1 Purdue on Thursday before facing No. 15 Texas Tech or Wake Forest on Friday.

Tiger sports fans aren’t happy, understandably so. Is it wise to change coaches? Or is it important to remember the grass isn’t always greener, as the ol’ adage goes?

Coach Penny Hardaway searching for answers as Memphis prepares to head to the Bahamas.