Parth Upadhyaya and John Martin grade the Tigers’ 2024-25 season.

Hardaway’s job this offseason won’t be easy, given the team’s challenges with its conference affiliation. Still, there are reasons to be optimistic about the offseason and beyond for Tiger basketball.

Williams originally committed to Memphis in November 2022, but he never played for the Tigers following an April 2023 arrest in connection to a shooting that occurred outside his San Diego-area home in March 2023.

If you’re looking for a live up-to-date look at Memphis’ latest roster rebuild heading into the 2025-26 season, The Daily Memphian has you covered.

A bit after the 2024 football season opened, the Tigers’ chance to exit the AAC arose. But AD Ed Scott said it was “a bad deal.” So the Tigers, who decided to stay in the AAC, continue to hold out.

Okojie, a 6-foot-1 defensive-minded point guard, averaged 1.5 points, 1.2 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game through 31 games this past season for the Tigers.

Penny Hardaway may have an opportunity to add some 901 flavor to his 2025-26 roster through the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot-2 combo guard averaged 0.4 points and 0.3 rebounds in 3.1 minutes per game through the 16 games he appeared in. 

Can Memphis get PJ Haggerty to return? Will Penny Hardaway’s coaching staff remain intact? Here are questions Memphis must address before the start of its 2025-26 season.

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Pastner led Memphis to four NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons. Pastner and Memphis will now reunite when the Tigers and the Runnin’ Rebels meet at FedExForum next season.

“Penny Hardaway hasn’t had the success he would have wanted at Memphis. But given the changing basketball universe, his presence matters more than it ever has.”

“The Tigers were broken after that ugly finish to the 2023-24 season. Credit Duncan for quietly helping glue it all back together.”

“We talk about it all the time (like), ‘Man, ‘I’m from Memphis,’” Andre Turner said. “So wherever I would go, you’ll (see me say it) with my chest out.”

Though Memphis’ Sweet 16 drought continues, Hardaway brought the Tigers closer to their peak as a program as they’d been in a long time this season.

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What Memphis players say about potential return to Tigers

Memphis Tigers coach Penny Hardaway tried his best not to makes excuses after the loss in the NCAA Tournament. But his answers revealed how he truly felt.

Memphis Tigers basketball had an important season of redemption. But the ending? “Just heartbreaking,” PJ Haggerty said.

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Box score: Colorado State 78, Memphis 70

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PJ Haggerty struggled from the field, making only 7 of his 23 shots in Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Colorado State.

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A large, LED TV screen was set up under the Sunset Canopy at Tom Lee Park Friday, March 21, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an NCAA Tournament watch party.

Of the 12 players on Memphis Tigers’ roster, seven could potentially return for at least another season.

Hits to their depth added up for the No. 5 seed Tigers (29-6) in their 78-70 first-round loss to No. 12 seed Colorado State on Friday afternoon at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

NCAA Tournament box score for Friday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and Colorado State Rams played in Seattle, Washington.

The loss of Harris, who’s averaged 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16 games this season for Memphis, could be especially detrimental with starting point guard Tyrese Hunter already ruled out with a left foot injury.

Penny Hardaway and the players had a lot to say at Thursday’s media day in Seattle as the Tigers prepare for Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Colorado State. 

Haggerty is 22 points away from breaking the Memphis record for the most points scored in a single season, and only two wins away from ending the Tigers’ 16-year Sweet 16 drought. But one would never guess it by talking to him.

The Memphis program was built on special seasons. Penny Hardaway knows he has a chance to deliver another to the city he loves.

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