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Memphis Basketball: Can Tigers live up to preseason hype for 2019-20?

By John Willkom

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) /
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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) /

Penny Hardaway has assembled the most talented recruiting class in Memphis Basketball history, but will it translate into wins?

Memphis Basketball Head Coach Penny Hardaway certainly dazzled fans for years in the NBA and while the jury’s still out as to whether he can coach, one thing is for certain: he’s established himself as an elite recruiter.

Memphis enters the season with the #1 recruiting class in the country, headlined by top recruit, 7’0” center James Wiseman. Joining Wiseman will be 6’9” power forward Precious Achiuwa, 6’7” small forward DJ Jeffries, 6’2” combo guard Rejean “Boogie” Ellis, 6’4” shooting guard Lester Quinones, 6’8” center Malcolm Dandridge, and 6’4” combo guard Damion Baugh.

With talent comes expectations and for Memphis to improve on its 22-14 record from last year, Hardaway faces some unique challenges in year two as head coach.

Taking a page from John Calipari’s playbook on coaching elite talent, Hardaway will have to find a way to get his stars to sacrifice for the good of the team. During Karl-Anthony Towns’ one and only season at Kentucky in 2015-2015, the future #1 pick scored a workmanlike 10.3 ppg and attempted only three three-point shots. Despite a final four loss to Wisconsin, that team’s 38-1 record and success was largely dependent on each guy’s clear understanding of his role.

James Wiseman is an elite talent but may need to take a note from Towns’ book, as Achiuwa, Jeffries, and Ellis are all primed to carry the scoring load. Achiuwa’s development on the offensive end continues to progress, and his work in the offseason with Carmelo Anthony’s trainer, Chris Brickley, certainly bodes well for his future.