After back-to-back lackluster performances versus subpar opponents, the Tigers know they need to change their mentality. And quickly.

The last day of the calendar year is here, which means it’s time for Martin’s annual tradition of telling you the future regarding the Memphis sports scene.

“We can’t get over the hump to be professional enough to come out and compete,” Memphis Tigers coach says after Saturday’s win over Austin Peay.

The University of Memphis plays Austin Peay at FedExForum.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds to help the Tigers overcome several struggles offensively.

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Box score: Memphis 81, Austin Peay 70

Despite a fast start, the Tigers would not be able to match the hot shooting of the Golden Hurricane and suffered the 71-62 loss.

Now that Memphis is about to enter American Athletic Conference play, John Martin looks at where these Tigers are headed.

The Tigers could use a convincing win against the Governors to improve their NCAA NET ranking and carry momentum into the start of AAC play in January.

Hardaway’s Class of 2024 nomination is based on his achievements as a player.

The defense and team chemistry fare well, but something is sorely lacking for the 10-2 Memphis Tigers basketball team.

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Tigers Basketball Insider: David Jones for national POY? KenPom thinks there’s a chance.

Advanced analytics show that the Tigers’ star wing is currently in the top 10 of Player of the Year standings.

Just a week after breaking into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season, the Tigers climb higher in the rankings.

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Tigers beat writer Parth Upadhyaya’s latest AP Top 25 ballot

How far did the Tigers’ climb in Upadhyaya’s AP Top 25 ballot after a drubbing of nationally ranked Virginia but a close call against lowly Vanderbilt?

Tomlin made his Memphis debut Saturday in the Tigers’ 77-75 win over Vanderbilt. Just four minutes into the game, he caught a pass on the right wing, squared up his shoulders and drilled a 3-pointer; it was pure pandemonium at FedExForum.

It was not pretty, doggone it, but Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Penny Hardaway and the No. 23 Memphis Tigers escaped with a win over Vanderbilt two days before Christmas.

The Tigers picked up the narrow victory over the Commodores behind David Jones’ 28 points and nine rebounds.

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Nae’Qwan Tomlin ‘comfortable’ in Tigers debut

Box score: Memphis 77, Vanderbilt 75

NCAA men’s basketball box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores played at FedExForum.

Memphis’ matchup with Vanderbilt Saturday marks the first of 16-straight games versus unranked opponents for the Tigers who will need to maintain their recent level of focus to avoid unnecessary slip-ups.

Tomlin averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks and started all 36 games for a Kansas State team that finished 26-10 and made a run to the Elite Eight in 2022-23.

Tigers coach Penny Hardaway spoke to reporters about the statuses of Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Jaykwon Walton and other topics Thursday after Memphis’ Tiger Toy Drive.

Greg Gaston, Tim Buckley and Parth Upadhyaya discuss the blowout win over Virginia on Tuesday night. On the football side, Frank Bonner II joins for recruiting talk on the first day of the NCAA’s December early signing period.

With the signing of Kansas State transfer Nae’Qwan Tomlin now official, an already dangerous Memphis team could get a major boost.

Memphis’ win Tuesday over No. 22 Virginia gives the team three straight wins over nationally ranked opponents.

No. 23 Tigers blow out No. 22 Virginia, 77-54, in the first ranked-versus-ranked regular-season matchup at FedExForm since March 8, 2014.

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Box score: Memphis 77, Virginia 54

Memphis officially signs Nae’Qwan Tomlin

Tigers Basketball Insider: DeAndre Williams still impacts the Tigers — even at a distance

Hardaway says Tigers’ non-conference slate has been ‘nothing but pressure’

Here is the box score for the Memphis Tigers’ game against the Virginia Cavaliers at FedExForum Tuesday, Dec. 19.