Though he continues to wait for a decision from the NCAA regarding his eligibility status, DeAndre Williams is enrolled at Memphis for the fall semester.

Memphis basketball will host a student-only preseason tip-off event at Elma Roane Fieldhouse as the men’s and women’s basketball teams gear up for the 2023-24 season.

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Tigers Basketball Insider: Memphis’ roster is set — well, almost

2024 four-star guard and Memphis native Curtis Givens III names the Tigers as one of three finalists for his services ahead of his official visit to Memphis this weekend.

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While many things are falling into place for the Tigers, the group still waits for key answers just seven weeks from the start of the 2023-24 season.

State Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) and other West Tennessee Republicans have pushed Strickland to finish allocating cash for the slow-moving renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. 

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Documents show framework of stadium deals, but with work left to do

University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark discussed the Tigers upset of No. 1 Houston in the AAC basketball tournament and more in documents The Daily Memphian obtained Monday, Sept. 18.

Documents show gaps remain in the City of Memphis’ plan to fund the FedExForum and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovations. 

“The city’s proposal to fund stadium renovations is now out there for all he world to see. How should Memphians think about that? They should hope that Robert Pera and the Grizzlies don’t hold a grudge.”

Six candidates were asked how they would allocate $350 million in state cash between Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and FedExForum. 

University of Memphis athletic director Laird Vearch said this a “moment of truth” for the Tigers. But it’s more than that. It’s a moment of truth for a city that wants to keep its major-league status.

The Tigers and Rebels have a December basketball date in Oxford, but the two schools have not played football since 2019. And nothing is scheduled going forward.

The addition of Jared Harris will give coach Penny Hardaway another developmental player who could stay multiple seasons. 

After what’s been at times a bumpy college career to this point, Jahvon Quinerly is savoring the opportunity he has with the Tigers: “It’s beautiful.”

“We’re just trying to continue to support him,” Hardaway said. “That’s about it. That’s all I can do.”

Williams’ preliminary hearing has been postponed for a third time.

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The month of September has a chance to make the Memphis Tigers well-equipped for the future, while also strengthening the connection between the city’s team and the city itself.

The city has several scenarios for how the stadium-funding debate could go moving forward.

With SMU now leaving for the ACC, the hits keep coming for the AAC. How will the Tigers respond to the latest round of conference realignment movement?

The Memphis head coach took time out of what’s been a busy offseason for the Tigers to inaugurate the outdoor, technicolor basketball court at the newly renovated Tom Lee Park.

“If Williams doesn’t care ‘at all’ about his image, even as his own freedom is in jeopardy, do we really think he’s going to care about doing what’s best for a Tiger team that aspires to make a championship run next season?”

Joe Cooper, the stepson of former Memphis forward Rodney Newsom, has walked on with the Tigers.

Malcolm Dandridge could elevate a Memphis team already poised for a big season. The numbers say as much.

“The game’s really not complicated,” Barnhart said. “You’ve gotta have the facilities, and then you’ve gotta recruit. You gotta do those two things.”

University of Memphis president makes a case that the Tigers’ hunt for a new home is real.

Should the city move forward with funding for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium? Of course. But only as part of a larger agreement that keeps the Grizzlies in town. 

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