The Memphis basketball conversation has become dominated by the outlook for its head coach, Penny Hardaway.
Calls for him to be fired or for him to step down are increasing amid one of the more torturous seasons in more than a quarter century. The Tigers (12-14, 7-6 American Conference) have lost three straight games and have been blown out in each of the last two, at Utah State and USF.
One wonders whether the team has given up.
“I don’t think they’ve quit yet. I would tell you if they’ve quit. They have not quit yet,” Hardaway said after the 87-66 loss to the Bulls on Feb. 19 in Tampa, Florida. “It’s not quit, though. It’s just not. It’s just so much going on with this team, it just hasn’t clicked and rolled over yet.”
One wonders whether it ever will click. Hardaway thinks so.
“I have to. That’s my job,” he said. “We’ve got five games left, three of them at home. Think about that. We play well at home. You finish 5-0, you don’t know (what can happen). You’ve still got to keep fighting, keep working.”
Perhaps Memphis – in a three-way tie for fifth in the American – will start making an end-of-season run against UAB (17-10, 8-6), which visits FedExForum on Feb. 22 (11 a.m., ESPN2).
Here are three more things we’re thinking about before tip-off.
What happened last time Memphis basketball met UAB
The Tigers defeated the Blazers 90-80 in Birmingham, Alabama, on Feb. 5.
It was the game that featured Sincere Parker’s career-high 40-point performance for Memphis. He was 14-of-20 from the field in just 26 minutes on the floor.
Big men Aaron Bradshaw and Thierno Sylla also combined for 21 points and 14 rebounds against UAB.
Since that game, however, the Tigers and Blazers have gone in opposite directions. Memphis is 1-3 in its last four games, while UAB is 3-1 and has moved into fourth place in the league standings.
Aaron Bradshaw injury update
Bradshaw, who is averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds this season, went down with a left elbow injury in the second half against USF.
The 7-foot forward stumbled as he closed out on a 3-point shooter and landed awkwardly. He writhed in pain on the court, then was taken to the locker room by head athletic trainer Darrell Turner. Shortly afterward, he checked back into the game, sporting a fresh wrap around his elbow. But he played fewer than three minutes and spent the rest of the game on the bench.
Bradshaw said it was his call to return to the game. Afterwards, he downplayed the severity of the injury and indicated he was fine.
“I’m good,” he said. “(I) went back, DT looked at it. I’m good. I’m straight.”
UAB basketball scouting report
The Blazers have steadied themselves despite dealing with some injuries to key players.
KyeRon Lindsay-Martin (third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer) has missed three of the past four games with a shoulder issue. Ahmad Robinson (second on the team in assists and fifth in points per game) did not play in UAB’s win over Temple on Feb. 18. Lindsay-Martin and Robinson both played in the game against Memphis.
Part of the story of UAB’s season is its unconventional success on the road. The Blazers (7-8 at home) are 8-2 in true road games and 2-0 in neutral site contests.
Chance Westry leads the Blazers with 15.0 points per game, while Jacob Meyer is putting up 13.6. Evan Chatman and Daniel Rivera lead UAB in rebounding with 8.9 and 6.8 boards per game, respectively.
Memphis basketball score prediction vs. UAB
Memphis 78, UAB 74: The Blazers have been excellent on the road. But the Tigers are desperate for a win.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X.
