The Memphis basketball team's exhilarating stretch run concluded last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The Tigers' appearance in the Big Dance – their first under coach Penny Hardaway and first since 2014 – will have a major impact on the program. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect the numerous benefits it could have. They also discuss Hardaway's growth as coach and detail Memphis' top priorities this offseason. 

The Memphis basketball team's exhilarating stretch run concluded last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;
The Tigers' appearance in the Big Dance&nbsp;&ndash; their first under coach Penny Hardaway and first since 2014&nbsp;&ndash; will have a major impact on the program. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect the numerous benefits it could have. They also discuss Hardaway's growth as coach and detail Memphis' top priorities this offseason.&nbsp;

The Tiger Basketball Podcast from The Commercial Appeal, hosted by Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz and Tiger football beat writer Jonah Dylan.

The Tiger Basketball Podcast from The Commercial Appeal, hosted by Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz and Tiger football beat writer Jonah Dylan.

Memphis Tigers basketball podcast from the Commercial Appeal

Tiger Basketball Podcast

Why Memphis' NCAA Tournament run was so significant and what's next for the Tigers

Despair and desolation. 

If Penny Hardaway and Memphis basketball are to eradicate the feeling of misery that has enveloped the program, a lot has to happen between now and Nov. 2. 

Perhaps nothing is more important than getting the roster right. So, how does Hardaway do that? Where did he go wrong in 2025-26? Which players (if any) should he bring back? What are the Tigers' biggest needs positionally?

And, what should be Hardaway's top priority when evaluating incoming players? 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan get into all of that. Plus: Munz and Dylan look back on the season and wonder whether the most memorable moments are likely the ones most hope to forget. 

Despair and desolation.&nbsp;
If Penny Hardaway and Memphis basketball are to eradicate the feeling of misery that has enveloped the program, a lot has to happen between now and Nov. 2.&nbsp;
Perhaps nothing is more important than getting the roster right. So, how does Hardaway do that? Where did he go wrong in 2025-26? Which players (if any) should he bring back? What are the Tigers' biggest needs positionally?
And, what should be Hardaway's top priority when evaluating incoming players?&nbsp;
On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jason Munz and Jonah Dylan get into all of that. Plus: Munz and Dylan look back on the season and wonder whether the most memorable moments are likely the ones most hope to forget.&nbsp;

What Penny Hardaway needs more than anything else on his next roster

The Memphis Tigers won the American Conference Tournament last season. 

Will they repeat? They'll have to win five games in five days and eliminate four teams more well rested than them to do it. But isn't that the very essence of March Madness? 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz pore over the reasons why you should feel optimistic about Memphis' chances, as well as reasons why the odds against it are very tall. 

Dylan and Munz also get into the school's firing of women's basketball coach Alex Simmons (and discuss some candidates to replace her) and rank which conference tournaments are consistently the most entertaining. 

The Memphis Tigers won the American Conference Tournament last season.&nbsp;
Will they repeat? They'll have to win five games in five days and eliminate four teams more well rested than them to do it. But isn't that the very essence of March Madness?&nbsp;
On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz pore over the reasons why you should feel optimistic about Memphis' chances, as well as reasons why the odds against it are very tall.&nbsp;
Dylan and Munz also get into the school's firing of women's basketball coach Alex Simmons (and discuss some candidates to replace her) and rank which conference tournaments are consistently the most entertaining.&nbsp;

How far will Memphis basketball go in American tournament? 

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway, as his team has lost six straight games, has not blamed injuries. He has not cited a lack of resources. He has not hinted at behind-the-scenes drama.

Hardaway has, in large part, avoided making excuses. 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz surmise some potential reasoning behind that. 

Also, Dylan and Munz take stock of where things stand with two games left in the regular season, lean on some listener-submitted analytics to forecast American Conference tournament berth probabilities, and (at the 44-minute mark) shine a light on Rhodes College reaching the Division III NCAA Tournament. 

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway, as his team has lost six straight games, has not blamed injuries. He has not cited a lack of resources. He has not hinted at behind-the-scenes drama.
Hardaway has, in large part, avoided making excuses.&nbsp;
On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz surmise some potential reasoning behind that.&nbsp;
Also, Dylan and Munz take stock of where things stand with two games left in the regular season, lean on some listener-submitted analytics to forecast American Conference tournament berth probabilities, and (at the 44-minute mark) shine a light on Rhodes College reaching the Division III NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;

Why Memphis' NCAA Tournament run was so significant and what's next for the Tigers

In 1 playlist(s)

Tiger Basketball Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips