Memphis Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season

Penny Hardaway picked up the biggest commitment of his head coaching career yesterday when  Emoni Bates committed to Memphis Basketball for the 2021-2022 season.  Just weeks after reeling in 5-star center Jalen Duren, the Tigers now have the makings of one of the most exciting teams in the entire country next year.

This isn’t the first time Hardaway has built a roster with elite talent – he landed the #1 ranked recruiting class in the country in 2019, headlined by James Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa. But great recruiting classes haven’t translated to success on the court – the Tigers haven’t finished higher than 3rd in the AAC under Hardaway and haven’t made the NCAA Tournament in three seasons.

Last season, the team failed to make the NCAA Tournament, despite having another former five-star prospect in Moussa Cisse, as well as a big-name transfer in Landers Nolley. They salvaged things with an NIT postseason title but the expectations will be far higher now.

The late additions of Duren and Bates make Memphis a must-watch spectacle next season.  And there’s more to like than just the dynamic freshman duo – for the first time in Hardaway’s tenure, he will have an abundance of riches with a mix of experienced veterans, incoming transfers, role players and talented future pros.

Now it’s Hardaway’s turn to show what he can do with a roster worthy of making some noise in March.

Here’s a look at the depth chart for the Tigers in 2021-2022.