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Memphis Basketball: 2019-20 season review for the Tigers

By William Cash

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 22: Precious Achiuwa #55 of the Memphis Tigers celebrates against the Houston Cougars during a game at FedExForum on February 22, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Houston 60-59. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 22: Precious Achiuwa #55 of the Memphis Tigers celebrates against the Houston Cougars during a game at FedExForum on February 22, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Houston 60-59. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 05: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)”n
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 05: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)”n /

Good and Bad Moments of the Year

Memphis came in the season ranked 14th in the AP poll and had a lot of hype behind last year’s number one recruit James Wiseman. Then the shocking news came out that Wiseman would be suspended 12 games, as the NCAA determined that coach Penny Hardaway was a booster after he donated $11,500 to help Wiseman’s family for moving expenses. Wiseman then soon after decided to leave Memphis and prepare for the upcoming NBA Draft.

Even after all that, Memphis started out the season hot going 12-1 including a 51-47 win over a ranked Tennessee team and that got them up to #9 on the AP Poll. The Tigers cooled off the rest of the season and struggled in AAC play.

The Tigers would lose two straight and then win two straight and then win another three straight but then drop three more. It just seemed like the Tigers could not beat the top teams of the AAC. It looked like the Tigers might turn it around when they upset #22 Houston but then dropped a game to SMU. The Tigers really showed their youth throughout the season and ended up finishing 21-10(10-8 Conf.) good for fifth in the conference.

Besides the play of Precious Achiuwa it was a down year for the Tigers, who had very high expectations coming in the season.