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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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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2019-2020 Outlook

Next season is going to be make-or-break for Hardaway and the Tigers. They have no excuses next season, they have one of the best-recruiting classes the school has ever had. They have the number one player in the nation in James Wiseman. They could be lethal given the players that they have already signed, and knowing that they still have the chance to add other top-25 players in Precious Achiuwa and RJ Hampton is even scarier. They could very easily sign the number one class in the country.

For the season they need to make the tournament. They should be the front-runners for the AAC title and should find themselves competing for a top-four seed in a region. John Calipari won the national title with Kentucky in his third season. While Hardaway is not the same coach as Cal he does have the same recruiting potential.

Next. Analyzing top 2019 recruiting classes. dark

It should be Sweet 16 or bust for the Tigers next year because of their potential. While they may struggle to begin with due to lack of chemistry, they should easily turn themselves into a very competitive team.