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Memphis Basketball: Why Penny Hardaway head coaching hire has worked

By Josh Stevens

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers, watches the action during the game against the Charleston Cougars at HP Field House on November 25, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers, watches the action during the game against the Charleston Cougars at HP Field House on November 25, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 16: Rayjon Tucker #3 of the Arkansas Little Rock Trojans looks for an opening in the Nevada Wolf Pack defense to pass the ball at Lawlor Events Center on November 16, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV – NOVEMBER 16: Rayjon Tucker #3 of the Arkansas Little Rock Trojans looks for an opening in the Nevada Wolf Pack defense to pass the ball at Lawlor Events Center on November 16, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

Being smart in recruiting

Every single year I watch teams sign classes that make no sense at all but have three top-100 recruits. They will all be forwards when the team needs a guard or vice versa. When you look at what Hardaway has done is he has built a lineup. He could very easily field a team of just freshmen without signing anyone else. They have signed already three guards and three forwards while gaining a very solid transfer, Rayjon Tucker from UALR. They have seven new players coming in next season and could be in the mix for at least one more.

Look at who Georgia has signed as a good example, they have four top 100 recruits, but not a single one of them is taller than 6’6″. Although the class on paper looks great from a grade standpoint, they all play the same positions. Unless Tom Crean wants to play a very small lineup, then one of those players will have to sit the bench. It is still a great class overall, but not to the level of Memphis due to the positional aspect.

Hardaway is just being smart with recruiting and dividing the scholarships into positions of need. He is making sure that he has players that can compete at every spot in his lineup.