Memphis Tigers men's basketball

The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Memphis in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The Tigers have competed in the American Athletic Conference since 2013. As of 2020, the Tigers had the 26th highest winning percentage in NCAA history.[2] While the Tigers have an on-campus arena, Elma Roane Fieldhouse (which is still the primary home for Tigers women's basketball), the team's local popularity is such that it has played home games off campus since the mid-1960s. The Tigers moved to the Mid-South Coliseum at the Memphis Fairgrounds in 1966, and then to downtown Memphis at The Pyramid, initially built for the team in 1991 and later home to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. In 2004, the Grizzlies and Tigers moved together to another downtown venue, FedExForum. ESPN Stats and Information Department ranked Memphis as the 19th most successful basketball program from 1962 to 2012 in their annual 50 in 50 list.[3]

Memphis Tigers
2020–21 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
UniversityUniversity of Memphis
First season1920
All-time record1,406–820–1 (.632)
Head coachPenny Hardaway (3rd season)
ConferenceThe American
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
ArenaFedExForum
(Capacity: 18,119)
NicknameTigers
ColorsBlue and Gray[1]
         
Uniforms
Home
Away
Alternate
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
1973, 2008*
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1973, 1985*, 2008*
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1973, 1985*, 1992, 2006, 2007, 2008*
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1973, 1982*, 1983*, 1984*, 1985*, 1992, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2008*, 2009
NCAA Tournament Appearances
1955, 1956, 1962, 1973, 1976, 1982*, 1983*, 1984*, 1985*, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008*, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Conference Tournament Champions
1982*, 1984*, 1985*, 1987, 2006, 2007, 2008*, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013
Conference Regular Season Champions
1972, 1973, 1982*, 1984*, 1985*, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008*, 2009, 2012, 2013
* Vacated by NCAA

History

Early years

The predecessor of the University of Memphis, West Tennessee State Normal School, first put a basketball team on the court in 1920. Zach Curlin began coaching the team in 1924. The Tigers joined the Mississippi Valley Conference in 1928. The team played its early home games at a local high school gym, a local YMCA, and in a room on campus called the "Normal Cage" which allowed only six inches from the court lines to the walls. In 1929, a $100,000 facility on campus named Memorial Gym became the Tigers' home.[4]

Curlin's last season coaching the Tigers was in 1948, by which time the school had been renamed Memphis State College; it would become Memphis State University in 1957. His successor was McCoy Tarry. In 1951, the new $700,000 Fieldhouse gym was opened for Tiger home games. In 1952, John Wallesea became the first Memphis State player to be drafted by the NBA. Forest Arnold became the school's first All-American in 1954. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament for the first time, in 1955, under coach Eugene Lambert. Bob Vanatta became the team's coach in 1956 and took the Tigers to the NIT final. Win Wilfong became the team's second All-American in 1957.[4]

In 1962, Dean Ehlers took over coaching duties. The Tigers began playing its home games at the Mid-South Coliseum in 1964. Moe Iba became the team's coach in 1966, the same year the team joined the Missouri Valley Conference.[4] Iba's four years running the program are considered the low point in the history of Memphis basketball, with the team suffering 19 and 20 loss seasons before Iba's dismissal. However, the Tigers did not remain down for long.

1970s
The Mid-South Coliseum, home of the Tigers from 1966 to 1991.

In 1970, Gene Bartow was named head coach. The 1970 season also saw the first games of Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson, two all-time greats. Larry Finch scored 24 points in his first appearance as a freshman. In 1971, the Tigers led by Finch and Robinson upset conference rival Louisville. At 11–2, they were ranked #19 after not reaching the Top 20 in a decade. Early in the 1971–1972 season, Memphis State fell in a heart breaker to No. 2 Marquette after leading by five points with five minutes to go. After defeating Louisville in Freedom Hall, the Tigers shared the Missouri Valley Conference title in 1972 with Louisville. Louisville won a playoff to represent the MVC in the NCAA Tournament while the Tigers went to the NIT for their fifth time.

During the 1972–1973 season, seniors Finch and Robinson led the Tigers to one of their most successful seasons. Memphis State won the MVC outright in 1972 after winning 14 straight games. They went to the NCAA tournament where they handily beat South Carolina and Kansas State after a first round bye to reach the Final Four. After beating Providence, the Tigers went to play for the national championship against the UCLA Bruins led by legendary coach John Wooden and led by star Bill Walton. Keeping it close in the first half, the Tigers were overwhelmed in the second half eventually losing by 21, 87–66. Bartow won the NABC National Coach of the Year award that season and Larry Finch was named a consensus All-American. Also on the Finals team was Larry Kenon who went on to be a 2-time All-Star in the NBA. He remains one of the most successful NBA players in Memphis history. Wayne Yates took over for Bartow in 1974 when Bartow left for Illinois. Yates led Memphis State to three straight 20-win seasons, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 1976. The Tigers left the Missouri Valley Conference to become one of the inaugural members of the Metro Conference in 1976. Dana Kirk became head coach in 1979.[5]

1980s

In the 1980s, the Tigers made seven NCAA tournaments and won three Metro Conference titles, amassing a record of 230–87 (.726). Keith Lee began playing for the Tigers in 1982, and Memphis was ranked number one in both major national polls for the first time the same year. However, that same night they were knocked off by Virginia Tech 69–56 in Blacksburg.[6] In the 1983 NCAA Tournament, the Tigers beat Georgetown led by Patrick Ewing, whom Lee dominated in the paint. They lost their next game to top-seed Houston led by Akeem Olajuwon.[5]

After finishing 24–3 in the regular season, the 1984–1985 season proved to be another memorable one in Tiger history. Lee eventually led the team to another NCAA Tournament in 1985. Memphis State beat Penn, UAB, Boston College and Oklahoma to reach the school's second Final Four. They were defeated by eventual champion Villanova and finished the season 31–4. All but one of the 12 players on this team were from Memphis or Shelby County.[7] Lee was named a consensus All-American for the third time in his four-year career. In 1986, Kirk was forced out after becoming the subject of a criminal investigation. He was also found to have committed many NCAA violations as well. The Tigers were forced to sit out the 1987 NCAA Tournament and were stripped of all of their NCAA tournament appearances from 1982 to 1986, including the 1985 Final Four run. Kirk's top assistant, Larry Finch, one of the leaders of the fabled 1972–73 team, took over head coaching duties in 1986. One of Finch's first recruits, Elliot Perry, began playing for the team in 1987. Perry led Memphis State to the 1988 and 1989 NCAA Tournaments and was drafted to the NBA where he became a successful player. In the 1988–89 season, the Tigers set a school record by starting the game against arch-rival Louisville with a 24–0 run.[5]

1990s
The Pyramid Arena, the Tigers' home from 1991 to 2004.

In 1990, Finch landed the country's highest rated high school recruit, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. The Tigers also moved to the Great Midwest Conference and began playing their home games at the new Pyramid Arena (affectionately known as the "Tomb of Doom") in 1991. Stand-out Hardaway led Memphis State to the 1992 NCAA Tournament, where the Tigers were defeated in the Elite Eight by rival Cincinnati. The following summer, Hardaway was named All-American and earned a chance to train with the Dream Team before the Barcelona Olympics. During the 1992–93 season, Hardaway earned Memphis State's first triple-double and then the first back-to-back triple-doubles in wins over Georgia State and Vanderbilt. On February 6, 1993, the school achieved its 1,000th all-time basketball victory in an upset over No. 4 Cincinnati. After the season, Penny Hardaway left for the NBA Draft where he was selected third overall by the Golden State Warriors. He became the most successful NBA player in history to matriculate from the Memphis basketball program. In 1994, Memphis State changed its name to the University of Memphis.[5]

In 1995, the Memphis team included future NBA players David Vaughn, Cedric Henderson, and Lorenzen Wright, and they made it to the 1995 NCAA Tournament where they lost in the Sweet Sixteen. Memphis joined Conference USA in 1995 as a founding member with long-time rivals Louisville and Cincinnati. Finch stepped down as head coach in 1997 and Tic Price took over thereafter. Price's three years were one of the Tigers' least successful since the 1960s. He was forced to resign just days before the start of the 1999–2000 season after school officials discovered he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student at the university.[8] Johnny Jones spent one year as interim head coach while the school looked for a replacement.[5]

2000s
Calipari directing his players during an away game against Conference USA rival Houston in January 2007.

John Calipari was named Memphis' head coach in 2000. Under his leadership, the Tigers won the 2002 NIT championship, then made the NCAA tournament in 2003 and 2004. The Tigers left The Pyramid to play home games in the FedExForum in 2004. The 2005–06 Tigers were led by Darius Washington, Shawne Williams and Rodney Carney and set a school record by going 30–3 and reaching a No. 3 ranking during a regular season that was capped by a Conference USA championship. In the 2006 NCAA tournament, the Tigers received a number one seed, and they advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual tournament runner-up UCLA.

Despite losing their top three scorers from the prior season to the NBA and graduation, the 2006–07 Tigers duplicated the previous year's regular season record of 30–3, were ranked as high as No. 5, and again won the Conference USA championship, going undefeated in conference play. The Tigers earned a number two seed in the 2007 NCAA tournament. The Tigers defeated 15 seed North Texas in the first round, 7 seed Nevada in the second round, and 3 seed Texas A&M in the Sweet Sixteen, and lost to 1 seed and eventual tournament runner-up Ohio State in the Elite Eight.

Derrick Rose during the 2008 NCAA Tournament

The 2007–08 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team achieved a No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press basketball poll in January 2008, the school's first No. 1 ranking in the poll since 1982, and went on to win their third straight Conference USA title on March 15, 2008. After a month, they lost this ranking when they were defeated by in-state rival and No. 2-ranked Tennessee at home. Led by First-Team All-American Chris Douglas-Roberts and future No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose, the team received a No. 1 seed in the 2008 NCAA tournament and defeated No. 16 seed Texas-Arlington in round one, No. 8 seed Mississippi State in round two, and No. 5 seed Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen. Memphis convincingly defeated No. 2 seed Texas in the Elite Eight round to advance to the school's first Final Four since 1985. Following this win, Memphis went on to beat No. 1 seed UCLA on April 5, 2008, advancing to the National Championship game on April 7, 2008. With this win, Memphis became the first team in NCAA history to achieve 38 wins in a single season.[9] After holding a nine-point lead with two minutes and 12 seconds left in regulation, the Tigers lost to Kansas in the National Championship in overtime by the final score of 75–68, becoming the second NCAA runner-up team in Memphis history.[10]

The 2008–09 Tigers, led by another freshman guard, Tyreke Evans, again went undefeated in Conference USA and earned a two seed in the 2009 NCAA tournament. The Tigers were defeated by the No. 3-seed Missouri Tigers in the Sweet Sixteen. Evans left after one year and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2010, the second straight Tiger to do so after Rose. On March 31, 2009, Calipari resigned to become the head coach at the University of Kentucky. In the months following Calipari's departure, nearly all of the incoming recruits who had committed to play basketball for the University of Memphis decommitted from Memphis and committed to Kentucky or other schools. The recruits included Xavier Henry, DeMarcus Cousins, Nolan Dennis, and Darnell Dodson.

On May 28, 2009, the NCAA formally accused the Tigers of allowing an ineligible player to participate in their games during the 2007–08 season.[11] On August 20, 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions announced that Memphis must vacate all 38 wins for that season as well as their appearance in the NCAA tournament and spend three years on probation. The NCAA alleged that Derrick Rose, a Chicago native, had obtained a fraudulent SAT score when another person took the test for him in Detroit, Michigan and his brother Reggie Rose was provided nearly $1,700 in free travel and lodging with the Memphis team.[12] The University of Memphis was not charged with knowingly fielding an ineligible player given that Rose had originally been cleared by the testing company and the NCAA. Rather, the NCAA imposed the penalty on a "strict liability" standard which held that Memphis must vacate their wins regardless of whether the school had any knowledge of wrongdoing by Rose and regardless of the NCAA's original clearance of Rose.[13]

2010s - Present

On April 7, 2009, Josh Pastner was named the team's head coach. Pastner was hired as an assistant at Memphis in 2008 after serving as an assistant coach under Lute Olson at Arizona for six years. Pastner gained a reputation as a strong recruiter during his tenure at Arizona.[14] In his first year as coach at Memphis, Pastner brought in Elliot Williams, a transfer from Duke, who led the team in scoring and was drafted to the NBA. Williams was permitted to play his first season after departing Calipari took with him Memphis' top-ranked recruiting class.[15] In 2011 Pastner led the Tigers back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in his coaching career, though they lost in the first round to his former team, Arizona.

During the 2011–12 season, the Tigers announced they were leaving Conference USA to join the Big East Conference starting in 2013 (later renamed the American Athletic Conference).[16] They began the season strong, moving as high to No. 13 in the country before falling out of the rankings (a phenomenon which would become a recurrent theme of the Pastner era). In the last game of the season, Josh Pastner's victory over Tulsa gave him 72 career victories, the most by a Memphis head coach over his first three seasons.[17] Memphis made its second straight NCAA Tournament after winning the Conference USA tournament. An 8-seed, the Tigers lost in the first round to 9-seeded Saint Louis. After the season, sophomore star Will Barton left for the NBA.

In 2012–13, the Tigers, led by CUSA player of the year Joe Jackson, won the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles in their last season in CUSA.[18] The Tigers began competition in the then newly formed American Athletic Conference in 2013. AAC competition was not as kind to the Pastner-led Tigers, as they earned an NCAA tournament berth in only 1 of the team's first 3 seasons in the AAC.

On April 8, 2016, facing mounting criticism in Memphis, Pastner took the job of head men's basketball coach at Georgia Tech.[19] A few days later, the Tigers hired Tubby Smith to take over the head coaching job.[20] Smith had just won the Big 12 coach of the year award as well as some national coaching awards for his season at Texas Tech.

Smith was fired on March 14, 2018, after failing to reach the NCAA Tournament in both of his two years as head coach. Penny Hardaway was later confirmed as Smith's replacement.[21]

Seasons
Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Frederick Graham (Independent) (1920–1921)
1920–21 Graham 22–7–1
W.H. DePriest (Independent) (1921–1922)
1921–22 DePriest 1–7
Lester Barnard (Independent) (1922–1924)
1922–23 Barnard 6–4
1923–24 Barnard 4–9
Zach Curlin (Independent) (1924–1927)
1924–25 Curlin 3–5
1925–26 Curlin 4–5
1926–27 Curlin 5–7
Zach Curlin (Mississippi Valley Conference) (1927–1934)
1927–28 Curlin 10–115–3
1928–29 Curlin 15–38–0
1929–30 Curlin 16–812–2
1930–31 Curlin 14–211–1
1931–32 Curlin 11–109–5
1932–33 Curlin 7–65–3
1933–34 Curlin 5–142–4
Zach Curlin (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1934–1942)
1934–35 Curlin 5–153–7
1935–36 Curlin 7–73–7
1936–37 Curlin 5–73–7
1937–38 Curlin 0–140–10
1938–39 Curlin 2–131–9
1939–40 Curlin 7–95–5
1940–41 Curlin 9–84–5
1941–42 Curlin 7–93–7
Zach Curlin (Independent) (1942–1948)
1942–43 Curlin 7–4
1943–44 No team (WWII)
1944–45 Curlin 3–6
1945–46 Curlin 7–4
1946–47 Curlin 11–7
1947–48 Curlin 13–10
McCoy Tarry (Independent) (1948–1951)
1948–49 Tarry 11–10
1949–50 Tarry 12–9
1950–51 Tarry 17–8NAIA Elite Eight
Eugene Lambert (Independent) (1951–1956)
1951–52 Lambert 25–10NAIA 2nd Round
1952–53 Lambert 10–14
1953–54 Lambert 15–9
1954–55 Lambert 17–5NCAA First Round
1955–56 Lambert 20–7NCAA First Round
Bob Vanatta (Independent) (1957–1962)
1956–57 Vanatta 24–6NIT Finals
1957–58 Vanatta 15–7
1958–59 Vanatta 17–6
1959–60 Vanatta 18–5NIT First Round
1960–61 Vanatta 20–3NIT Quarterfinals
1961–62 Vanatta 15–7NCAA First Round
Dean Ehlers (Independent) (1962–1966)
1962–63 Ehlers 19–7NIT Quarterfinals
1963–64 Ehlers 14–11
1964–65 Ehlers 10–14
1965–66 Ehlers 10–15
Moe Iba (Independent) (1966–1967)
1966–67 Iba 17–9NIT First Round
Moe Iba (Missouri Valley Conference) (1967–1970)
1967–68 Iba 8–172–149th
1968–69 Iba 6–190–169th
1969–70 Iba 6–201–159th
Gene Bartow (Missouri Valley Conference) (1970–1973)
1970–71 Bartow 18–88–64th
1971–72 Bartow 21–712–2T-1stNIT First Round
1972–73 Bartow 25–612–21stNCAA Finals
Gene Bartow (Independent) (1973–1974)
1973–74 Bartow 19–11NIT Quarterfinals
Wayne Yates (Independent) (1974–1975)
1974–75 Yates 20–7NIT First Round
Wayne Yates (Metro Conference) (1975–1979)
1975–76 Yates 21–91–14thNCAA First Round
1976–77 Yates 20–92–4T-5thNIT First Round
1977–78 Yates 19–97–53rd
1978–79 Yates 13–155–53rd
Dana Kirk (Metro Conference) (1979–1986)
1979–80 Kirk 13–145–74th
1980–81 Kirk 13–145–75th
1981–82 Kirk 24–510–21stNCAA Sweet Sixteen[a]
1982–83 Kirk 23–86–64thNCAA Sweet Sixteen[a]
1983–84 Kirk 26–711–3T-1stNCAA Sweet Sixteen[a]
1984–85 Kirk 31–413–11stNCAA Final Four[a]
1985–86 Kirk 28–69–32ndNCAA Second Round[a]
Larry Finch (Metro Conference) (1986–1991)
1986–87 Finch 26–88–42nd[b]
1987–88 Finch 20–126–6T-3rdNCAA Second Round
1988–89 Finch 21–118–4T-2ndNCAA First Round
1989–90 Finch 18–128–64thNIT First Round
1990–91 Finch 17–157–7T-4thNIT Second Round
Larry Finch (Great Midwest Conference) (1991–1995)
1991–92 Finch 23–115–5T-3rdNCAA Elite Eight
1992–93 Finch 20–127–32ndNCAA First Round
1993–94 Finch 13–164–8T-5th
1994–95 Finch 24–109–31stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
Larry Finch (Conference USA) (1995–1997)
1995–96 Finch 22–811–31st (White)NCAA First Round
1996–97 Finch 16–1510–4T-1st (White)NIT First Round
Tic Price (Conference USA) (1997–1999)
1997–98 Price 17–1212–41st (National)NIT Second Round
1998–99 Price 13–156–10T-2nd (National)
Johnny Jones (Conference USA) (1999–2000)
1999–00 Jones 15–167–9T-3rd (National)
Johnny Jones: 15–16 (.366)7–9 (.438)
John Calipari (Conference USA) (2000–2009)
2000–01 Calipari 21–1510–6T-2nd (National)NIT 3rd Place
2001–02 Calipari 27–912–41st (National)NIT Champions
2002–03 Calipari 23–713–31st (National)NCAA First Round
2003–04 Calipari 22–812–4T-1stNCAA Second Round
2004–05 Calipari 22–169–7T-6thNIT Semifinals
2005–06 Calipari 33–413–11stNCAA Elite Eight
2006–07 Calipari 33–416–01stNCAA Elite Eight
2007–08 Calipari 38–2[c]16–01stNCAA Final
2008–09 Calipari 33–416–01stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
John Calipari: 252–69 (.785)117–25 (.824)
Josh Pastner (Conference USA) (2009–2013)
2009–10 Pastner 24–1013–32ndNIT Second Round
2010–11 Pastner 25–1010–64thNCAA Second Round
2011–12 Pastner 26–913–31stNCAA Second Round
2012–13 Pastner 30–416–01stNCAA Third Round
Josh Pastner (American Athletic Conference) (2013–2016)
2013–14 Pastner 24–1012–6T-3NCAA Third Round
2014–15 Pastner 18–1410–8T-5
2015–16 Pastner 19–158–107th
Josh Pastner: 167–73 (.696)82–36 (.695)
Tubby Smith (American Athletic Conference) (2016–2018)
2016–17 Smith 19–139–9T-5
2017–18 Smith 21–1310–85th
Tubby Smith: 40–26 (.606)19–17 (.528)
Penny Hardaway (American Athletic Conference) (2018–present)
2018–19 Hardaway 22–1411–75thNIT Second Round
Total:

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

  • a The 1982–1986 NCAA tournament records were vacated by the NCAA.
  • b Memphis was banned from the 1987 postseason by the NCAA.
  • c The 2007–08 season was vacated by the NCAA.

[22]

NCAA Tournament results

The Tigers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 26 times. Their overall record is 34–26. However, wins in 1982–1986 and 2008 have been vacated.

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult/Score
1955–First RoundPenn StateL 55–59
1956–First RoundOklahoma CityL 81–97
1962–First RoundCreightonL 83–87
1973–Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		South Carolina
Kansas State
Providence
UCLA		W 90–76
W 92–72
W 98–85
L 66–87
1976–First RoundPepperdineL 77–87
1982*#2Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Wake Forest
Villanova		W 56–55
L 66–70
1983*#4Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Georgetown
Houston		W 66–57
L 63–70
1984*#6First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Oral Roberts
Purdue
Houston		W 92–83
W 66–48
L 71–78
1985*#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		Penn
UAB
Boston College
Oklahoma
Villanova		W 67–55
W 67–66 OT
W 59–57
W 63–61
L 45–52
1986*#3First Round
Second Round		Ball State
LSU		W 95–63
L 81–83
1988#9First Round
Second Round		Baylor
Purdue		W 75–60
L 73–100
1989#5First RoundDePaulL 63–66
1992#6First Round
Second Rounc
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Pepperdine
Arkansas
Georgia Tech
Cincinnati		W 80–70
W 82–80
W 83–79
L 57–88
1993#10First RoundWestern KentuckyL 52–55
1995#6First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Louisville
Purdue
Arkansas		W 77–56
W 75–73
L 91–96 OT
1996#5First RoundDrexelL 63–75
2003#7First RoundArizona StateL 71–84
2004#7First Round
Second Round		South Carolina
Oklahoma State		W 59–43
L 53–70
2006#1First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Oral Roberts
Bucknell
Bradley
UCLA		W 94–78
W 72–56
W 80–64
L 45–50
2007#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		North Texas
Nevada
Texas A&M
Ohio State		W 73–58
W 78–62
W 65–64
L 76–92
2008*#1First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		Texas–Arlington
Mississippi State
Michigan State
Texas
UCLA
Kansas		W 87–63
W 77–74
W 92–74
W 85–66
W 78–63
L 75–68 OT
2009#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		Cal State Northridge
Maryland
Missouri		W 81–70
W 89–70
L 91–102
2011#12Second RoundArizonaL 75–77
2012#8Second RoundSaint LouisL 54–61
2013#6Second Round
Third Round		Saint Mary's
Michigan State		W 54–52
L 48–70
2014#8Second Round
Third Round		George Washington
Virginia		W 71–66
L 60–78

* = vacated by NCAA

NIT results

The Tigers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 18 times. Their combined record is 21–17 and they were NIT champions in 2002.

YearRoundOpponentResult/Score
1957First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		Utah
Manhattan
St. Bonaventure
Bradley		W 77–75
W 85–73
W 80–78
L 83–84
1960First RoundProvidenceL 70–71
1961QuarterfinalsHoly CrossL 69–81
1963First Round
Quarterfinals		Fordham
Canisius		W 70–49
L 67–76
1967First RoundProvidenceL 68–77
1972First RoundOral RobertsL 74–94
1974First Round
Quarterfinals		Seton Hall
Utah		W 73–72
L 78–92
1975First RoundOral RobertsL 95–97
1977First RoundAlabamaL 63–86
1990First RoundTennesseeL 71–73
1991First Round
Second Round		UAB
Arkansas State		W 82–76
L 57–58
1997First RoundUNLVL 62–66
1998First Round
Second Round		Ball State
Fresno State		W 90–67
L 80–83
2001First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Utah
UTEP
New Mexico
Tulsa
Detroit		W 71–62
W 90–65
W 81–63
L 64–72
W 86–71
2002First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		UNC Greensboro
BYU
Tennessee Tech
Temple
South Carolina		W 82–62
W 80–69
W 79–72
W 79–77
W 72–62
2005First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Northeastern
Virginia Tech
Vanderbilt
Saint Joseph's		W 90–65
W 83–62
W 81–68
L 58–70
2010First Round
Second Round		St. John's
Ole Miss		W 73–71
L 81–90
2019First Round
Second Round		San Diego
Creighton		W 74–60
L 67–79

All-Time coaches list
All-Time Coaches List
Tenure Coach Seasons W L T Pct.
1920–1921Fredrick Grantham12271.750
1921–1922W. H. Depriest117–.125
1922–1924Lester Barnard21013–.435
1924–1948Zach Curlin23173184–.485
1948–1951McCoy Tarry34027–.597
1951–1956Eugene Lambert58745–.659
1956–1962Bob Vanatta610934–.762
1962–1966Dean Ehlers45347–.530
1966–1970Moe Iba43765–.363
1970–1974Gene Bartow48332–.722
1974–1979Wayne Yates59349–.655
1979–1986Dana Kirk715858–.731
1986–1997Larry Finch11220130–.629
1997–1999Tic Price23027–.526
1999–2000Johnny Jones*11516–.484
2000–2009John Calipari**921469–.756
2009–2016Josh Pastner716773–.696
2016–2018Tubby Smith24026–.606
2018–presentPenny Hardaway24324–.642

Source:[23]
* Denotes interim coach
** 38 victories from 2007 to 2008 vacated by NCAA[24]

Awards

All-Americans

Memphis has had 8 players chosen as All-Americans by the four sources used by the NCAA to determine consensus teams, the Associated Press, the United States Basketball Writers Association, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and The Sporting News (which replaced the United Press International in 1998). Three players have been unanimous first team selections (Keith Lee, Anfernee Hardaway, and Chris Douglas-Roberts). Keith Lee was the only Tiger to be selected more than once, eventually being selected three of his four years at Memphis.

NCAA Recognized All-Americans
Year Player Consensus Points [a] AP USBWA NABC UPI/TSN
1973Larry Finch2nd3[b]-1st--
1983Keith Lee1st10[b]2nd1st2nd1st
1984Keith Lee2nd73rd2nd2nd2nd
1985Keith Lee1st121st1st1st1st
1986William Bedford-13rd-4th-
1993Anfernee Hardaway1st121st1st1st1st
1996Lorenzen Wright2nd52nd-3rd2nd
2006Rodney Carney2nd62nd2nd2nd-
2008Chris Douglas-Roberts1st121st1st1st1st
2008Derrick Rose-23rd-3rd-
  • a The NCAA uses points to determine consensus teams, awarding 3 points for a 1st team selection, 2 points for 2nd team, and 1 point for 3rd team.
  • b The NCAA began calculating points to determine consensus in 1984. Point totals are shown before 1984 for comparative purposes.

Source:[25]

School recognized

According to the program's records, the school recognizes the following bodies for their selection of All-America teams: UPI, Converse, ESPN, Associated Press, Basketball Times, Basketball Weekly, USBWA, The Sporting News, Scripps-Howard, Wooden Award, CBSSports.com, FOXSports.com, Collegehoops.net, Rivals.com, NBC, NABC, College Sports, Collegeinsider.com, Sports Illustrated, NaismithLives.com and Rupp Trophy. They recognize all levels including honorable mentions and freshman teams.

The University of Memphis currently recognizes 38 players as All-Americans:

Conference Player of the Year
Year Player Conference
1971–72Larry FinchMissouri Valley
1972–73Larry KenonMissouri Valley
1981–82
1982–83		Keith LeeMetro
1991–92
1992–93		Penny HardawayGreat Midwest
2003–04Antonio BurksConference USA
2005–06Rodney CarneyConference USA
2007–08Chris Douglas-RobertsConference USA
2011–12Will BartonConference USA
2012–13Joe JacksonConference USA
2019–20Precious AchiuwaAmerican

NBA players who attended Memphis

Since the NBA Draft began in 1947, 50 players from Memphis have been drafted, with an additional four signed as undrafted free agents. Of the 50 drafted players, 28 played in at least one NBA (or ABA) game. Memphis has produced 13 first-round picks, including 8 top-ten picks and one number-one pick (Derrick Rose). Three former Tigers have been named NBA All-Stars: Larry Kenon (twice), Penny Hardaway (4 times), and Derrick Rose (3 times). Three have gone on to win the NBA Championship: Win Wilfong with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958, William Bedford with the Detroit Pistons in 1990, and Earl Barron with the Miami Heat in 2006. In 2010, Memphis became the second college to produce two consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year winners: Derrick Rose in 2009 and Tyreke Evans in 2010 (the first being North Carolina with winners Walter Davis in 1978 and Phil Ford in 1979). In 2011, Rose became the first former Tiger to be named the NBA Most Valuable Player. Many Memphis players since the 1960s that have gone undrafted or had unsuccessful NBA careers have also played in professional leagues in Europe, Asia and/or Latin America.

NBA players who attended Memphis (incl. ABA)
Player Draft year Round Pick Team
Win Wilfong195714thSt. Louis Hawks
Wayne Yates196115thLos Angeles Lakers
Mike Butler[a]196810121stSan Diego Rockets
Rich Jones[a][b]1969558thPhoenix Suns
Ronnie Robinson[a]1973460thPhoenix Suns
Larry Kenon[a][c]1973350thDetroit Pistons
Larry Finch[a]1973468thLos Angeles Lakers
Hank McDowell19815102ndGolden State Warriors
Keith Lee1985111thChicago Bulls
Andre Turner1986369thLos Angeles Lakers
William Bedford198616thPhoenix Suns
Vincent Askew1987239thPhiladelphia 76ers
Sylvester Gray1988235thMiami Heat
Elliot Perry1991237thLos Angeles Clippers
Penny Hardaway199313rdGolden State Warriors
Todd Mundt1995––Boston Celtics
David Vaughn III1995125thOrlando Magic
Lorenzen Wright199617thLos Angeles Clippers
Cedric Henderson1997244thCleveland Cavaliers
Chris Garner1997––Toronto Raptors
Dajuan Wagner200216thCleveland Cavaliers
Antonio Burks2004237thOrlando Magic
Earl Barron2005––Miami Heat
Shawne Williams2006117thIndiana Pacers
Rodney Carney2006116thChicago Bulls
Darius Washington Jr.2007––San Antonio Spurs
Chris Douglas-Roberts2008240thNew Jersey Nets
Joey Dorsey2008233rdPortland Trail Blazers
Derrick Rose200811stChicago Bulls
Tyreke Evans200914thSacramento Kings
Antonio Anderson2009––Oklahoma City Thunder
Elliot Williams2010122ndPortland Trail Blazers
Will Barton2012240thPortland Trail Blazers
D.J. Stephens2013––Milwaukee Bucks
Adonis Thomas2013––Orlando Magic
Tarik Black[d]2014––Houston Rockets
Jeremiah Martin 2019 – – Brooklyn Nets

currently active players are in bold

  • a Player chose to play professionally in the American Basketball Association (ABA), which existed from 1967 to 1976.
  • b Rich Jones was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1968 in the fourth round as the 49th pick, but opted not to play. In 1969, he was drafted again by the Suns but chose instead to play in the ABA for the Dallas Chaparrals. He would eventually play in the NBA in 1976 when the New Jersey Nets joined as part of the NBA-ABA merger.
  • c Larry Kenon moved to the NBA after the San Antonio Spurs joined the NBA in 1976, as part of the NBA-ABA merger.
  • d Tarik Black transferred to Kansas for his senior season. He played at Memphis from 2010 to 2013.

Source:[26]

Memphis Tigers in International Competition
Memphis Tigers in International Competition
Player Country Year Competition Location Medal
Elliot Perry USA1989FIBA Americas ChampionshipMexico CitySilver
Anfernee Hardaway[a] USA1996Olympic GamesAtlantaGold
Darius Washington Jr.[b] North Macedonia2009EurobasketPolandnone
Derrick Rose[a] USA2010FIBA World ChampionshipTurkeyGold
Derrick Rose[a] USA2014FIBA World ChampionshipSpainGold
European Championships
Player Club (Tenure) Championship(s)
Rich Jones Pallacanestro Varese (1969–1970)1970 FIBA European Champions Cup
Joey Dorsey Olympiacos B.C. (2012)2012 EuroLeague Champion
  • a competed internationally as NBA players
  • b Though American by birth, Washington is a naturalized citizen of North Macedonia (known before February 2019 as Macedonia) where he is known as Darius Vašington (Дариус Вашингтон).[27]

Retired jerseys

The University of Memphis has retired nine jerseys.

Retired basketball jerseys
Number Player Years played
13Forest Arnold1952–56
22Win Wilfong1955–57
44John Gunn[1]1974–76
21Larry Finch1970–73
33Ronnie Robinson1970–73
35Larry Kenon1972–73
24Keith Lee1981–85
34Elliot Perry1987–91
25Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway1991–93
  • 1 John Gunn succumbed to Stevens–Johnson syndrome on December 21, 1976. He had been diagnosed with the rare disease only three games into the 1976 season.[5]
  • 2 Chris Douglas-Roberts, guard/forward from 2005 to 2008, declined the University of Memphis' invitation to have his #14 jersey retired in 2017.[28]

Source:[29]

Notes and references
  1. Primary Brand Colors. The University of Memphis Brand Guidelines. April 30, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. NCAA D1 Record Book
  3. "50 in 50 series: No. 19 Memphis – College Basketball Nation Blog – ESPN". espn.go.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  4. Tiger Basketball History :: The early years
  5. "Tigers Basketball History II". University of Memphis. Archived from the original on October 28, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  6. Anderson, Mike (January 11, 1983). "Tech stuns MSU". Collegiate Times: A1.
  7. "4. Memphis State – 11.26.84 – SI Vault". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. November 26, 1984. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  8. http://www.nola.com/uno/index.ssf/2015/01/former_uno_mens_basketball_coa.html
  9. "Could this year's champ be 'greatest ever'?" MSNBC. April 2, 2008. Retrieved on April 5, 2008.
  10. "Kansas vs. Memphis Box Score" ESPN April 7, 2008
  11. "Memphis Tigers found guilty by NCAA; must vacate 2007–08 basketball season, will appeal »". commercialappeal.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  12. "Memphis Tigers men's basketball team to vacate 38 victories from 2007–08 – ESPN". sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  13. "NCAA rejects Memphis' final appeal of vacated wins – ESPN". sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  14. Memphis promotes assistant Pastner to coach, replacing Calipari, by Gary Parrish, CBSSports.com, April 6, 2009
  15. "Scout.com: Men's Basketball Recruiting". scouthoops.scout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  16. "Memphis announces move to Big East". USA Today. February 8, 2012.
  17. "Memphis Tigers clinch C-USA season title with 78–66 win in Tulsa »". commercialappeal.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  18. "Memphis Tigers clinch C-USA title". ESPN.com. February 2, 2013.
  19. http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/tigers/basketball/Source-Georgia-Tech-to-name-Pastner-head-coach-today-375027931.html
  20. http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/tigers/basketball/Tubby-Smith-agrees-to-become-Memphis-basketball-coach-source-says-375680321.html
  21. "Memphis reaches agreement with Penny Hardaway to become next head coach". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  22. 2012–13 Memphis Tigers men's basketball fact book. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  23. "PDF File – History Part 1, pg. 121". Memphis Tigers.
  24. NCAA may 'vacate' Memphis Tigers victories, by Dana O'Neil, ESPN
  25. "PDF File – History Part 1, pg.142–143". Memphis Tigers.
  26. "NBA Draft Index | Basketball-Reference.com". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  27. "Eurobasket2009.org". Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  28. "Calkins: Supreme Bey (formerly Chris Douglas-Roberts) is coming back to Memphis". Daily Memphian. December 20, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  29. "Retired Jerseys". Memphis Tigers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.