NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team backcourts for 2021-22 season

For the 3rd-straight year, the Tigers reached the 20-win mark under head coach Penny Hardaway. Memphis really hit their stride after being selected to the NIT and produced a 4-game win streak to take home the crown. Difficulties in conference play have negated a lot of preseason optimism during Hardaway’s tenure, but the coach’s ability to recruit lights out in the off-season seemingly restores the hype each preseason.

This year is no different and with potentially his most complete team to date, Hardaway has the Tigers buzzing throughout the national media. The return of Lester Quinones, Alex Lomax, and Landers Nolley to the 2021 roster is a solid start for the program and one that in and of itself could conceivably contend in the AAC with the program’s frontcourt additions. However, Coach Hardaway secured another big transfer win with the signing of former 5-star freshman and Miami Hurricane wing Earl Timberlake.

Timberlake showcased himself well in limited action last season, proving to be a solid player on both ends of the floor. He is active defensively and a highlight-producing prospect on the offensive end. He adds lots of length, speed, and physicality on the perimeter to change game dynamics. How Hardaway chooses to utilize these players will largely depend on matchups and coverage of their star recruit this offseason: Emoni Bates.

The former 2022 #1-overall recruit reclassified into the class of 2021, along with fellow signee Jalen Duren, late this summer to produce yet another #1 recruiting class for Memphis. Even at 6’8” Bates will be commanding some of the point guard reps next season for Memphis, but his overall arsenal on the offensive end and self-creation elevates the play of everyone else on the roster. In always accounting for his presence, the rest of the floor will open up and Bates’s ability to facilitate will shine.

Outside of Bates and Nolley, this group collectively is made up of potential. A lot of new faces and others that have not fully lived up to expectations converge to form one of the most dangerous backcourts in the nation. This group should carry Memphis to Hardaway’s first coaching appearance in March Madness and a legitimate shot at bringing home the regular-season conference title. They are appointment television.