2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team American college basketball season
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 .
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
Incoming transfers
2021 recruiting class
College recruiting information
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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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]
Star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : 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:
*Originally class of 2022, but reclassified to 2021.[ 20]
Preseason
On October 13, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards[ 21]
Coaches Poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Houston
98 (8)
2
Memphis
92 (3)
3
SMU
77
4
Wichita State
76
5
UCF
66
6
Cincinnati
52
7
Tulsa
43
8
Temple
37
T-9
South Florida
25
T-9
Tulane
25
11
East Carolina
14
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
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Name
Height
Weight
Year
Previous school
Hometown
G
0
Earl Timberlake
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
So
Miami (FL)
Washington, D.C.
F
1
Emoni Bates
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Fr
Ypsi Prep Academy
Ypsilanti, MI
C
2
Jalen Duren
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
Fr
Montverde Academy (FL)
New Castle, DE
G
3
Landers Nolley II
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
RS Jr
Virginia Tech
Fairburn, GA
F
4
Chandler Lawson
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Jr
Oregon
Memphis, TN
G
5
Johnathan Lawson
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Fr
Wooddale HS
Memphis, TN
G
10
Alex Lomax
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
188 lb (85 kg)
Sr
East HS
Memphis, TN
G
11
Lester Quiñones
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
Jr
IMG Academy
Brentwood, NY
F
12
DeAndre Williams
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Sr
Evansville
Houston, TX
G
14
Tyler Harris (W)
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
148 lb (67 kg)
Sr
Iowa State
Memphis, TN
F
15
John Camden
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
Fr
Brewster Academy
Downingtown, PA
F
20
Josh Minott
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Saint Andrew's School
Boca Raton, FL
C
23
Malcolm Dandridge
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
Jr
East HS
Memphis, TN
G
25
Jayden Hardaway (W)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
209 lb (95 kg)
RS Jr
IMG Academy
Memphis, TN
G
30
Conor Glennon (W)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
172 lb (78 kg)
So
Brother Rice HS
Chicago, IL
G
31
Tadarius Jacobs (W)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Fr
Bartlett HS
Memphis, TN
C
55
Sam Onu
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
270 lb (122 kg)
Fr
The Phelps School
Malvern, PA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on
(T) Transferred
Injured
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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
American Athletic Conference honors
All-AAC Awards
All-AAC First Team
All-AAC Second Team
All-AAC Freshman Team
Source [ 24]
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Final AP 12 11 9 18 RV — RV RV — — — — — — — — — RV Not released Coaches 16 16^ 10 19 RV — — — — — — — — — — — — RV
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings ^Coaches did not release a week 1 poll.
References
^ Cordner, Jason (June 11, 2021). "Penny Hardaway Draws Interest of Several NBA Teams For Head Coach" . The Source . Retrieved June 30, 2021 .
^ 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 .
^ "Penny Hardaway won't coach Magic, reportedly hires Hall of Famer Larry Brown as Memphis assistant" . sports.yahoo.com . Retrieved June 30, 2021 .
^ Coleman, Joel (April 19, 2021). "D.J. Jeffries transferring to MSU from Memphis" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved April 20, 2021 .
^ Kartje, Ryan (April 13, 2021). "Guard Boogie Ellis to transfer to USC from Memphis" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 18, 2021 .
^ Backus, Will (April 12, 2021). "Former Memphis basketball guard Damion Baugh announces transfer to TCU" . Commercial Appeal . Retrieved April 18, 2021 .
^ Durando, Stu (April 5, 2021). "Former St. Louis Christian Academy's Jordan Nesbitt will transfer to SLU" . St. Louis Today. Retrieved April 18, 2021 .
^ @JonRothstein (March 7, 2021). "Source: Memphis transfer Lance Thomas has committed to South Alabama. Another big transfer for Richie Riley" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ 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 .
^ Givony, Jonathan (July 15, 2021). "Moussa Cisse transferring to Oklahoma State after one season of Memphis basketball" . ESPN . Retrieved July 15, 2021 .
^ Givony, Jonathan (April 8, 2021). "Miami Hurricanes transfer Earl Timberlake commits to Memphis Tigers" . ESPN . Retrieved April 18, 2021 .
^ Johnson, Steven (April 22, 2021). "Lawson brothers commit to Memphis" . Daily Memphian . Retrieved April 27, 2021 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Munz, Jason (August 8, 2020). "4-star prospect Josh Minott commits to Memphis" . commercialappeal.com . The Commercial Appeal . Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Johnson, Steven (April 22, 2021). "Lawson brothers commit to Memphis" . Daily Memphian . Retrieved April 27, 2021 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "Top recruit Jalen Duren commits to Memphis, will reclassify to 2021 class" . theathletic.com . Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ "Houston Selected as 2021-22 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite" . theAmerican.org . Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ "Memphis-Tennessee Game Canceled" . gotigersgo.com . Retrieved December 18, 2021 .
^ "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule" . gotigersgo.com . Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ "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 .
Venues Rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons NCAA Final Four appearances in italics
Information related to 2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team