Coaches and players from the American Athletic Conference made the trip to Philadelphia this week for the league’s annual media days. With the season approaching and fans eager for the return of college basketball, the event served as an opportunity for the leaders of each program to speak about how they feel heading into the new campaign. For the Memphis Tigers, the narrative was centered on defying expectations.
Each year during media days, the coaches of the conference compile a preseason rankings list they feel will reflect the standings once the season ends. In the past, these lists have featured both the University of Memphis’ men’s and women’s teams rather low, including a ninth-place pick for the men’s team in 2017. This year, the picks were no different.
The women’s squad was tabbed to finish 11th overall, while the men’s team, with its new-look roster, was predicted to finish fourth in the league. Although fourth is certainly better than eighth place, which is where CBS basketball insider John Rothstein tabbed them earlier in the summer, the men’s team still is not expected to dominate its competition.
However, head coach Penny Hardaway, who was accompanied by seniors Jeremiah Martin and Kyvon Davenport, said he is excited for the challenge.
“My goal is to get Memphis back to where it is supposed to be,” Hardaway said.
While the men’s team is focused on earning respect from the rest of its peers, the women’s squad is looking to keep everyone on the floor. After a tough 2017-18 run that was plagued with nagging injuries that saw them finish 10-20, there is room for improvement.
“Historically, it’s a city that is just a basketball city,” head coach Melissa McFerrin, who is about to begin her 11th season at the helm, said. “It really started with our football program being on the rise, then certainly Penny Hardaway. We’re just hoping to put a bunch of new names on the court and hopefully join in the party.”
Despite a lack of recent success on the floor, both basketball programs have reasons for excitement heading into the 2018-19 run. Martin was selected as a member of the preseason all-conference team, and the recruiting class for the men’s team finished in the top-30 rankings overall.
The women’s squad returns junior guard Taylor Barnes, and the team will count on her veteran leadership to keep them competitive. As tip-off inches nearer, both Memphis programs will be out to prove doubters wrong and put Tigers basketball back on the national collegiate basketball map.
Penny Hardaway speaks with the media about various topics regarding this upcoming season. This is his first year coaching the Memphis Tigers.
