Hunter wouldn’t rule out a possible return at some point during March Madness, particularly if Coach Penny Hardaway’s team can make a deep run.

Memphis Tigers basketball star PJ Haggerty is only the seventh player in program history to become a consensus All-American.

When the No. 5 seed Tigers (29-5) tip off against No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Seattle, they’ll do so as 1.5-point underdogs. 

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Memphis coach Penny Hardaway told reporters Tuesday that Harris was “progressing” while Hunter was “coming along slower” as the team heads into the NCAA Tournament.

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The Tigers have shocked the college basketball world before. Fueled by a mission to prove the doubters wrong — and perhaps more importantly, prove themselves right — they’ll try to do it again.

The Crosby, Texas, native is averaging 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game for Tigers (29-5), who won the AAC Tournament title 84-72 over UAB on Sunday and are a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. 

Eleven-year-old Maci Barrett gave Penny Hardaway a bracelet expressing her support for the coach. Now FedEx is flying Maci and her family to Seattle for the NCAA Tournament. 

Despite being limited to nine available players, Memphis found a way to beat UAB in convincing fashion in Sunday’s AAC Tournament title game. Can it do more of the same in the Big Dance?

Memphis was made a No. 5 seed in the West Region and will open NCAA Tournament play Friday in Seattle against Mountain West Tournament-champion Colorado State, the No. 12 seed.

The Tigers, fresh off of their 84-72 AAC Tournament championship victory over UAB on Sunday, stayed put at No. 16 in this week’s AP Top 25.

Maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised the Memphis Tigers are a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They’ve certainly earned the respect. 

For a while last offseason, there was no telling how this season might end for Penny Hardaway and his Tigers. And Memphis’ new athletic director arrived well-aware of all the bad vibes.

Before No. 5 seed Memphis takes on No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional in Seattle at 1 p.m. CT Friday (TBS), learn a little bit about the Rams.

Tony Madlock, a former Memphis player and assistant coach, led Alabama State to its first SWAC Tournament Championship since 2011. His son TJ was a major reason why. 

This trip to the Big Dance comes after Hardaway led Memphis to a bounceback season in which it has already won its most games since 2012-13.

Despite having just nine scholarship players available, the Tigers captured the AAC Tournament title. PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja combined for 45 points to lead Memphis.

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Joining Memphis on the list of finalists for the 2026 AAC’s men’s basketball tournament are Wichita, Kansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Tampa, Florida.

Hunter exited the Tigers’ AAC Tournament semifinal game Saturday early in the second half with a left foot injury and was examined by the team’s medical staff in the locker room.

The No. 1 seed Tigers (28-5) will take on the No. 3 seed Blazers (22-11) for the AAC Tournament championship on Sunday (2:15 p.m., ESPN or ESPN+) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

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“Our team is built one through 13 to be ready to play and to be ready for war,” coach Penny Hardaway said Saturday. “So, when one guy goes down, the next guy’s gonna step up.”

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Box score: Memphis 78, Tulane 77

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“What the Tigers, their roster nearly entirely overhauled, really showed was the resoluteness they failed to exhibit a season ago.”

Memphis advances to Sunday’s AAC Tournament title game, where it will take on No. 3 seed UAB.

Here is the box score for Saturday’s AAC Tournament semifinal game between the Memphis Tigers and Tulane Green Wave played in Fort Worth, Texas.

Memphis Tigers guard Tyrese Hunter exited Saturday’s AAC Tournament early due to an injury.