2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team

The 2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Tigers were led by fourth-year head coach Penny Hardaway. The team played their home games at FedExForum as members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 22–11, 13–5 in AAC Play to finish in 3rd place. They defeated UCF and SMU to advance to the championship game of the AAC tournament where they lost to Houston. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 9 seed in the West Region, where they defeated Boise State in the First Round before losing in the Second Round to Gonzaga.

2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball
NCAA tournament, Second Round
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record22–11 (13–5 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaFedExForum
(Capacity: 18,119)
2021–22 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 15 Houston †15–3 .83332–6  .842
SMU13–4 .76524–9  .727
Memphis13–5 .72222–11  .667
Temple10–7 .58817–12  .586
Tulane10–8 .55614–15  .483
UCF9–9 .50018–12  .600
Wichita State6–9 .40015–13  .536
Cincinnati7–11 .38918–15  .545
East Carolina6–11 .35315–15  .500
Tulsa4–14 .22211–20  .355
South Florida3–15 .1678–23  .258
† 2022 AAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

The Tigers finished the 2020–21 season 20–8, 11–4 in AAC play, finishing in third place. They entered as the No. 3 seed in the AAC tournament, where they would lose to No. 2 seed Houston in the semifinals. They were selected as a No. 1 seed in the NIT. The Tigers would go on to win the tournament, their second overall, and first since 2002.

Offseason

On June 11, 2021, speculation emerged that Penny Hardaway was a candidate for multiple head coaching jobs in the NBA including his former team, the Orlando Magic.[1] On June 28, reports emerged that Hardaway had in fact interviewed and emerged as a top candidate for the vacant head coaching job.[2] Two days later, via Instagram, Hardaway confirmed he was not leaving the University of Memphis, and reports emerged that Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown had accepted an offer to be his assistant.[3]

Departing players
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
D. J. Jeffries0F6'7"215SophomoreOlive Branch, MSTransferred to Mississippi State[4]
Isaiah Stokes4F6'8"250RS SophomoreMemphis, TNDismissed from team
Boogie Ellis5G6'3"180SophomoreSan Diego, CATransferred to USC[5]
Damion Baugh10G6'3"185SophomoreNashville, TNTransferred to TCU[6]
Jordan Nesbitt14G6'6"185FreshmanSt. Louis, MOTransferred to Saint Louis[7]
Lance Thomas15F6'9"224JuniorNorcross, GATransferred to South Alabama (mid-season)[8]
Ahmad Rand20F6'8"180JuniorLincolnton, GATransferred to Oregon State (mid-season)[9]
Moussa Cissé32C6'10"220FreshmanConakry, GuineaTransferred to Oklahoma State[10]

Incoming transfers
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Earl Timberlake0G6'6"220SophomoreWashington, D.C.Transferred from Miami (Florida). Timberlake will have four years of remaining eligibility.[11]
Chandler Lawson4F6'7"215JuniorMemphis, TNTransferred from Oregon. Lawson will have three years of remaining eligibility.[12]
Tyler Harris14G5'9"148SeniorMemphis, TNWalk–on; transferred from Iowa State. Harris will have two years of remaining eligibility.[13]

2021 recruiting class
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Emoni Bates*
SF		 Ypsilanti, Michigan Ypsi Prep Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) August 25, 2021[14] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 98
Jalen Duren*
C		 New Castle, Delaware Montverde Academy (FL) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 8/6/21[15] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 97
Josh Minott
SF		 Boca Raton, Florida Saint Andrew's School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 08/08/20[16] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 84
Johnathan Lawson
SF		 Memphis, Tennessee Wooddale High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 4/22/21[17] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 84
Sam Onu
C		 Malvern, Pennsylvania The Phelps School 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 10/13/20[18] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 81
John Camden
SF		 Downingtown, Pennsylvania Brewster Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 09/30/20[19] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 1  247Sports: 1
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Memphis 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  • "2021 Memphis Tigers Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  • "2021 Memphis Tigers Basketball 24/7 Sports Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.

*Originally class of 2022, but reclassified to 2021.[20]

Preseason

AAC preseason media poll

On October 13, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards[21]

Coaches Poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Houston98 (8)
2Memphis92 (3)
3SMU77
4Wichita State76
5UCF66
6Cincinnati52
7Tulsa43
8Temple37
T-9South Florida25
T-9Tulane25
11East Carolina14

Preseason Awards
  • AAC Preseason Rookie of the Year - Jalen Duren
  • AAC Preseason All-Conference First Team - Jalen Duren
  • AAC Preseason All-Conference First Team - Landers Nolley II
  • AAC Preseason All-Conference Second Team - Emoni Bates
  • AAC Preseason All-Conference Second Team - DeAndre Williams

Roster
2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 0 Earl Timberlake 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg) SoMiami (FL) Washington, D.C.
F 1 Emoni Bates 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrYpsi Prep Academy Ypsilanti, MI
C 2 Jalen Duren 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)250 lb (113 kg) FrMontverde Academy (FL) New Castle, DE
G 3 Landers Nolley II 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)208 lb (94 kg) RS JrVirginia Tech Fairburn, GA
F 4 Chandler Lawson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg) JrOregon Memphis, TN
G 5 Johnathan Lawson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrWooddale HS Memphis, TN
G 10 Alex Lomax 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)188 lb (85 kg) SrEast HS Memphis, TN
G 11 Lester Quiñones 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)208 lb (94 kg) JrIMG Academy Brentwood, NY
F 12 DeAndre Williams 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg) SrEvansville Houston, TX
G 14 Tyler Harris (W) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)148 lb (67 kg) SrIowa State Memphis, TN
F 15 John Camden 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)208 lb (94 kg) FrBrewster Academy Downingtown, PA
F 20 Josh Minott 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg) FrSaint Andrew's School Boca Raton, FL
C 23 Malcolm Dandridge 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)250 lb (113 kg) JrEast HS Memphis, TN
G 25 Jayden Hardaway (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)209 lb (95 kg) RS JrIMG Academy Memphis, TN
G 30 Conor Glennon (W) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)172 lb (78 kg) SoBrother Rice HS Chicago, IL
G 31 Tadarius Jacobs (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg) FrBartlett HS Memphis, TN
C 55 Sam Onu 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)270 lb (122 kg) FrThe Phelps School Malvern, PA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on
  • (T) Transferred
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 25, 2021

Schedule and results
Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 24, 2021*
4:00 p.m.		 No. 12 LeMoyne–Owen W 105–57  –
  20 – Quiñones  7 – Timberlake  7 – Tied  FedExForum (10,925)
Memphis, TN
October 31, 2021*
1:00 p.m.		 No. 12 Lane W 88–49  –
  18 – Nolley II  6 – Duren  4 – Nolley II  FedExForum (10,741)
Memphis, TN
Non-conference regular season
November 9, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 No. 12 Tennessee Tech W 89–65  1–0
  17 – Bates  7 – Quiñones  4 – Tied  FedExForum (12,928)
Memphis, TN
November 13, 2021*
6:00 p.m., ESPN+		 No. 12 North Carolina Central W 90–51  2–0
  15 – Bates  10 – Duren  6 – Timberlake  FedExForum (12,893)
Memphis, TN
November 16, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 No. 11 Saint Louis W 90–74  3–0
  18 – Harris  10 – Nolley II  4 – Tied  FedExForum (13,302)
Memphis, TN
November 19, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 No. 11 Western Kentucky W 74–62  4–0
  22 – Duren  19 – Duren  4 – Lomax  FedExForum (13,375)
Memphis, TN
November 24, 2021*
8:30 p.m., ESPN2		 No. 9 vs. Virginia Tech
NIT Season Tip-Off semifinal		 W 69–61  5–0
  16 – Williams  10 – Williams  3 – Nolley II  Barclays Center (2,804)
Brooklyn, NY
November 26, 2021*
8:30 p.m., ESPN2		 No. 9 vs. Iowa State
NIT Season Tip-Off championship		 L 59–78  5–1
  12 – Bates  6 – Tied  3 – Lomax  Barclays Center (2,655)
Brooklyn, NY
December 1, 2021*
6:15 p.m., SECN		 No. 18 at Georgia
American/SEC Alliance		 L 79–82  5–2
  17 – Nolley II  8 – Williams  5 – Quiñones  Stegeman Coliseum (8,629)
Athens, GA
December 4, 2021*
11:00 a.m., ESPN2		 No. 18 at Ole Miss L 63–67  5–3
  13 – Williams  5 – Timberlake  3 – Nolley II  SJB Pavilion (8,629)
Oxford, MS
December 10, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 Murray State L 72–74  5–4
  15 – Harris  5 – Tied  4 – Harris  FedExForum (13,607)
Memphis, TN
December 14, 2021*
8:00 p.m., ESPN2		 No. 6 Alabama W 92–78  6–4
  20 – Williams  6 – Duren  6 – Tied  FedExForum (15,266)
Memphis, TN
December 18, 2021*
11:00 a.m., ESPN2		 vs. No. 18 Tennessee
Nashville Showcase		 Canceled due to COVID-19 issues within Memphis program [22] Bridgestone Arena (–)
Nashville, TN
December 21, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 Alabama State Canceled due to COVID-19 issues within Memphis program FedExForum (–)
Memphis, TN
AAC regular season
December 29, 2021
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 at Tulane L 84–85  6–5
(0–1)		  19 – Nolley II  8 – Timberlake  6 – Timberlake  Devlin Fieldhouse (1,705)
New Orleans, LA
January 1, 2022
11:00 a.m., CBS		 at Wichita State W 82–64  7–5
(1–1)		  15 – Minott  7 – Williams  4 – Williams  Charles Koch Arena (8,751)
Wichita, KS
January 4, 2022
8:00 p.m., ESPNU		 Tulsa W 67–64  8–5
(2–1)		  12 – Tied  11 – Minott  5 – Minott  FedExForum (12,863)
Memphis, TN
January 9, 2022
2:30 p.m., ABC		 Cincinnati
Rivalry		 W 87–80  9–5
(3–1)		  20 – Harris  10 – Minott  6 – Bates  FedExForum (14,502)
Memphis, TN
January 12, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN+		 at UCF L 64–74  9–6
(3–2)		  15 – Harris  7 – Bates  6 – Nolley II  Addition Financial Arena (6,163)
Orlando, FL
January 15, 2022
3:00 p.m., ESPN+		 at East Carolina L 71–72  9–7
(3–3)		  15 – Duren  9 – Duren  7 – Harris  Williams Arena (5,107)
Greenville, NC
January 20, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN2		 SMU L 62–70  9–8
(3–4)		  17 – Harris  9 – Duren  5 – Lomax  FedExForum (13,723)
Memphis, TN
January 23, 2022
2:00 p.m., ESPN		 at Tulsa W 83–81  10–8
(4–4)		  24 – Harris  9 – Minott  7 – Lomax  Reynolds Center (3,524)
Tulsa, OK
January 27, 2022
8:00 p.m., ESPN2		 East Carolina W 71–54  11–8
(5–4)		  17 – Quinones  12 – Minott  5 – Timberlake  FedExForum (13,418)
Memphis, TN
February 5, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN2		 UCF W 88–60  12–8
(6–4)		  16 – Minott  10 – Duren  5 – Harris  FedExForum (15,280)
Memphis, TN
February 9, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN+		 Tulane W 80–69  13–8
(7–4)		  15 – Duren  13 – Williams  5 – Lomax  FedExForum (13,685)
Memphis, TN
February 12, 2022
2:30 p.m., ABC		 at No. 6 Houston W 69–59  14–8
(8–4)		  20 – Nolley II  11 – Duren  6 – Lomax  Fertitta Center (7,450)
Houston, TX
February 15, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN+		 at Cincinnati
Previously scheduled for Feb. 3rd		 W 81–74  15–8
(9–4)		  15 – Harris  8 – Williams  9 – Lomax  Fifth Third Arena 
Cincinnati, OH
February 20, 2022
2:00 p.m., ESPN		 at SMU L 57–73  15–9
(9–5)		  13 – Quinones  7 – Williams  5 – Lomax  Moody Coliseum (5,657)
University Park, TX
February 24, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN2		 Temple W 78–64  16–9
(10–5)		  22 – Duren  9 – Williams  6 – Lomax  FedExForum (14,013)
Memphis, TN
February 27, 2022
1:30 p.m., ESPN		 Wichita State W 81–57  17–9
(11–5)		  22 – Nolley II  7 – Duren  4 – Lomax  FedExForum (14,147)
Memphis, TN
March 3, 2022
8:00 p.m., ESPNU		 at South Florida W 73–64  18–9
(12–5)		  16 – Duren  10 – Duren  5 – Nolley II  Yuengling Center (3,186)
Tampa, FL
March 6, 2022
11:00 a.m., CBS		 No. 14 Houston W 75–61  19–9
(13–5)		  15 – Harris  8 – Duren  3 – Nolley II  FedExForum (17,946)
Memphis, TN
AAC Tournament
March 11, 2022
8:00 p.m., ESPNU		 (3) vs. (6) UCF
Quarterfinals		 W 85–69  20–9
  22 – Quinones  20 – Duren  7 – Lomax  Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
March 12, 2022
4:36 p.m., ESPN2		 (3) vs. (2) SMU
Semifinals		 W 70–63  21–9
  12 – Tied  10 – Williams  3 – Tied  Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
March 13, 2022
2:15 p.m., ESPN		 (3) vs. (1) No. 18 Houston
Championship		 L 53–71  21–10
  14 – Duren  10 – Duren  4 – Tied  Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
NCAA tournament
March 17, 2022*
12:45 p.m., TNT		 (9 W) vs. (8 W) No. 23 Boise State
First Round		 W 64–53  22–10
  14 – Williams  11 – Duren  5 – Lomax  Moda Center 
Portland, OR
March 19, 2022*
8:40 p.m., TBS		 (9 W) vs. (1 W) No. 1 Gonzaga
Second Round		 L 78–82  22–11
  14 – Williams  7 – Tied  5 – Lomax  Moda Center (17,907)
Portland, OR
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
W=West.
All times are in Central Time.

Source[23]

Awards and honors

All-AAC Awards

All-AAC First Team
  • Jalen Duren

All-AAC Second Team

All-AAC Freshman Team

Source[24]

Rankings
See also: 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
— = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516171819Final
AP1211918RV—RVRV—————————RVNot released
Coaches1616^1019RV————————————RV

*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings
^Coaches did not release a week 1 poll.

References
  1. Cordner, Jason (June 11, 2021). "Penny Hardaway Draws Interest of Several NBA Teams For Head Coach". The Source. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  2. Cali, Mike (June 27, 2021). "Report: Penny Hardaway interviewed for Orlando Magic head coaching job and is a "serious candidate"". Orlando Pinstriped Post. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  3. "Penny Hardaway won't coach Magic, reportedly hires Hall of Famer Larry Brown as Memphis assistant". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  4. Coleman, Joel (April 19, 2021). "D.J. Jeffries transferring to MSU from Memphis". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  5. Kartje, Ryan (April 13, 2021). "Guard Boogie Ellis to transfer to USC from Memphis". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  6. Backus, Will (April 12, 2021). "Former Memphis basketball guard Damion Baugh announces transfer to TCU". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  7. Durando, Stu (April 5, 2021). "Former St. Louis Christian Academy's Jordan Nesbitt will transfer to SLU". St. Louis Today. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  8. @JonRothstein (March 7, 2021). "Source: Memphis transfer Lance Thomas has committed to South Alabama. Another big transfer for Richie Riley" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. Daschel, Nick (January 18, 2021). "Memphis transfer forward Ahmad Rand lands at Oregon State, eligible to play next season". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  10. Givony, Jonathan (July 15, 2021). "Moussa Cisse transferring to Oklahoma State after one season of Memphis basketball". ESPN. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  11. Givony, Jonathan (April 8, 2021). "Miami Hurricanes transfer Earl Timberlake commits to Memphis Tigers". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  12. Johnson, Steven (April 22, 2021). "Lawson brothers commit to Memphis". Daily Memphian. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  13. Munz, Jason (April 26, 2021). "Former Cordova star Tyler Harris returns to Memphis after one season at Iowa State". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  14. Munz, Jason (August 25, 2021). "Memphis basketball lands Emoni Bates, a five-star prospect compared to Kevin Durant". commercialappeal.com. The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  15. Munz, Jason (August 6, 2021). "Jalen Duren, the nation's No. 1 recruit, commits to Penny Hardaway and Memphis basketball". commercialappeal.com. The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  16. Munz, Jason (August 8, 2020). "4-star prospect Josh Minott commits to Memphis". commercialappeal.com. The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  17. Johnson, Steven (April 22, 2021). "Lawson brothers commit to Memphis". Daily Memphian. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  18. Munz, Jason (October 13, 2020). "Sam Ayomide Onu, 7-foot center, commits to Memphis basketball over Kansas, Seton Hall". commercialappeal.com. The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  19. Munz, Jason (September 30, 2020). "John Camden commits to Memphis. Will there be others for Penny Hardaway and Co. this week?". commercialappeal.com. The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  20. "Top recruit Jalen Duren commits to Memphis, will reclassify to 2021 class". theathletic.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  21. "Houston Selected as 2021-22 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite". theAmerican.org. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  22. "Memphis-Tennessee Game Canceled". gotigersgo.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  23. "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule". gotigersgo.com. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  24. "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors". American Athletic Conference. March 9, 2022. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
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