Penny Hardaway was named the AAC Coach of the Year. This is his first time the coach received the award in his seven years at the helm. The accolade follows a regular season AAC championship, which the Tigers accomplished on the strength of a 16-2 conference record. Hardaway’s previous best was in 2023, when the Tigers finished 12-6 in the AAC.
“This is God lead. To have this to happen with this group. I watched Houston do it and I watch South Florida do it last year. To be able to be in this position, is what you work hard for. I am proud of team. They allowed me to coach them hard. There is still so much more to go,” said Hardaway.
He was joined by guard PJ Haggerty, who was selected the AAC Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season. His 21.2 points per game currently ranks fifth in Division I. The sophomore is one of the conference’s leaders across a variety of statistical categories, including minutes per game (36.5, 1st), field goals made (215, 1st), steals per game (1.83, 2nd), field goals attempted (438, 3rd), field goal percentage (49.1, 8th), assists per game (3.7, 9th) and free throw percentage (79.8, 10th).
“It is a blessing to be in the position that I am in. It wouldn’t have been possible without my team, coaches and all the hard work I put in,” said Haggerty.
Haggerty also won the conference’s Newcomer of the Year Award last season, after transferring from Tulsa. He handed the award off to teammate Dain Dainja, who was selected for the honor after his performance this season.
The burly 6’11” center averaged 13.7 points and seven rebounds per contest. Furthermore, his 61.3% field goal percentage is good for 11th in the nation. Dainja also leads the squad with six double-doubles, while coming in second in blocks with 35. The senior transfer is also one of only five players averaging at least 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and shooting 60.0 with 30 or more blocks.
“I am just honored. It is a blessing just to see that the work I have been putting is paying off,” said Dainja.
Hardway inserted Dainja into the starting lineup in place of Moussa Cisse on Jan. 23, before a game against Wichita St. The Tigers responded with a 13-1 tear through the remaining conference schedule. Their only loss, ironically, was an overtime loss to Wichita St. on Sunday, Feb. 16. The only other conference loss was against on Jan. 16 at Temple. The 88-81 upset was the inspiration for the lineup switch.
Dainja on the honor said, “I am just honored. It is a blessing just to see that the work I have been putting is paying off.”
Haggerty, Dainja and Tyrese Hunter were all named to First Team All-AAC. Hunter has been one of the top 3-point shooters in the country for most of the season. During a three-day span at the Maui Invitational, the senior guard drained 14-of-24 from deep. Hunter earned All-Tournament honors for his exploits. His 2.4 made three-pointers per game ranks fifth in the AAC, while his 40.6 three-point percentage nets sixth-place.
Hunter matched a career-high with seven triples against No. 2 UConn on during their Maui matchup. He repeated the feat against No. 16 Clemson on Dec. 14. He has also drained four or more threes in seven games this season. Haggerty only accomplished the total in four of his 106 games before sporting on a Tigers jersey.
In 106 career games before transferring to Memphis, Haggerty had only four games where he sank four or more shots from beyond the arc.
Memphis will play the winner of the Wichita State vs South Florida game in the quarterfinal round of the AAC tournament in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday March 14 at noon. The game can be seen on ESPN2.
