Buckley: The Tigers are in a world of hurt. Is there a path out of the pit?
Memphis Tigers Head Coach Penny Hardaway talks to his team during a time out against the Wichita State Shockers during the game at FedExForum on Feb. 26, 2026. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
Five straight losses, the latest Thursday night to Wichita State at FedExForum — a game that certainly could have been won.
A sub-.500 overall record, 12-16, 28 games into a 31-game regular season.
A losing record in the American Conference too, at 7-8.
Things really are rough for the Memphis Tigers basketball team as the calendar prepares to flip from February to March.
Yet hope somehow hovers over all that is bleak.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Memphis Tigers Basketball Penny Hardaway Dug McDaniel Quante Berry 2025-26 college basketball season Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Related stories
Memphis suffers blowout road loss to South Florida
The Tigers continue to struggle on the road, losing their third consecutive game away from FedExForum. Memphis’ Aaron Bradshaw exits game against USF with left-arm injury — then reenters with braceRelated content:
Martin: Hardaway loses another — and the heartbreak is setting in
This wasn’t a fiery coach fighting back against an establishment that he felt was out to get him — this was a coach who was hurting.
Memphis’ Aaron Bradshaw exits game against USF with left-arm injury — then reenters with brace
A game that had quickly turned into a nightmare for Memphis on the road Thursday night against South Florida somehow got even worse.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.