Roster turnover has become the new norm in college basketball, and the University of Memphis is no exception. The Tigers held their Blue and Gray Showcase to introduce the men’s and women’s basketball teams for the upcoming season, featuring a mix of fresh faces and veteran talent.
In years past, the Tigers hosted Midnight Madness, an event that often featured performances from popular rappers and hyped up expectations for the season. However, the focus has shifted in recent years from impressing five-star recruits to capitalizing on the transfer portal, where coaches now seek maturity and experience. In fact, all five projected starters for the men’s team this year have transferred in.
On the change in events, head coach Penny Hardaway said, “Having the Madness the first two years, those events were different. They were so major, and it was hard to try to repeat that. These events are cool because they are more personable. The fans can touch you, and it’s a more intimate setting.”
Nicholas Jourdain is the only returning rotational player for the men’s basketball team. The projected starting lineup includes Colby Rogers (Wichita State), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), P.J. Haggerty (Tulsa), Dain Dainja (Illinois), and Jourdain. Last year, Jourdain was a newcomer, but this season, he has embraced his role as a veteran leader, contributing both on and off the court.
Hardaway had high praise for sharpshooter Colby Rogers, comparing him to some of the best shooters he’s coached: “I was blessed to have Landers Nolley, Tyler Harris, and Lester Quinones. Those guys can shoot, but Colby Rogers is scary. Tyler Harris is one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen. Rogers is on that level.”
On the topic of player roles, Hardaway said, “This year, we handpicked these guys to be who they are. This team will be easier to accept that. They already know who the guys are. We have guys starring in their roles.”
Tyrese Hunter, one of the new additions, reflected on the basketball culture in Memphis: “I try to stay off social media a lot. It’s a basketball city. They say they love the Grizzlies, but they love the Tigers more. I’m going to give my all, and hopefully, they will give me their all.”
Lady Tigers Look to Build on Last Season’s Momentum
On the women’s side, Alex Simmons is entering her second season as head coach. The Lady Tigers finished strong last year, nearly making it to the championship game of the American Athletic Conference after catching fire in February. Key returners include Hannah Riddick and Alasia Smith, who will be vital to the team’s success this season.
Simmons acknowledged the challenges of entering a new season with a roster full of transfers: “The biggest change is personnel. We have a lot of transfers on our team. We spent a lot of time this summer getting to know one another. We talked about zero goals for the season. We just want to focus on basketball and us.”
Looking ahead, Simmons emphasized the importance of finding the team’s identity early on: “We want to have a good non-conference [schedule]. We have some heavy hitters coming in this season. At the end of the day, we have to find our identity and go into conference with confidence.”
Riddick, a senior, is ready to lead by example: “Getting to spend all four years here at Memphis has been special. Each year, I go into it wanting to be better than the last one. Since I’m the veteran, I want to push this team, and they push me. I want to make an impact.”
One of the biggest additions to the Lady Tigers’ roster is DeeDee Hagemann, a 5-foot-7 guard transferring from Michigan State University. Hagemann, a native of Detroit, started three seasons at MSU, was named to the All-Big Ten second team in 2023, and earned Michigan’s Miss Basketball honors in high school.
In another shift for both teams, Memphis will host two high-profile exhibition games. On October 15, the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s team and the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks women’s team will come to FedExForum. Both games will be nationally televised, with proceeds benefiting charity.
