Buckley: Respect won’t come easily for these Tigers. Two wins are a good start.
University of Memphis guard Jayden Reid drives the lane against Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (Mark Weber/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.
They began the 2026-27 college basketball season with no fanfare, a 13-19 record last season mostly to blame for that.
Because even in an era when rosters are largely or wholly remade from one season to the next, it’s what you did in the recent past — not what you’re capable of doing in the present, or short-term future — that is the basis for preseason polls, expectations and, ultimately, real respect.
After following up a season-opening upset win over preseason No. 18 Iowa State with Saturday’s home-opening win over VCU, however, the days of laying low are about done for the Memphis Tigers.
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Memphis vs. VCU Memphis Tigers Basketball Subscriber Only Jayden Reid Tylik Weeks Penny HardawayThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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