Memphis has gotten its groove back in recent years, but the Tigers still feel lost in purgatory. While other programs have found new homes through conference realignment, Memphis remains in the AAC but are making the most of it. Penny Hardaway’s crew was in the Big Dance last year for the third time in four seasons, claiming 29 wins and his first regular season AAC title, though this team was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a 5-seed.
Regardless of how you felt or looked at last season’s squad is irrelevant as every single player will not return for the Tigers. Memphis certainly will miss PJ Haggerty, who blossomed into an All-American and was one of the nation’s top scorers. Dain Dainja became an explosive frontcourt weapon while Tyrese Hunter found success in his final collegiate stop. Numerous players exited via the transfer portal and there really isn’t anyone of note back for Hardaway this upcoming season.
Instead, the focus turned towards the transfer portal with a long list of additions. Seven-footer Aaron Bradshaw comes from Ohio State and will hope to have a Dainja-like transformation while Ashton Hardaway leaves Saint Mary’s and could also have a big role at the back end. Numerous backcourt additions bolster the roster, including South Carolina wing Zachary Davis and LSU combo guard Curtis Givens III, but it’s a different guard that gets our attention.
There are other transfers we didn’t mention but a lot of eyes will be on Dug McDaniel this season. A 5-11 point guard from Washington DC, he was a Top 75 prospect before landing at Michigan, transforming into a high-level player by his sophomore season with the Wolverines, averaging 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 37% from long-range. Unfortunately, McDaniel opted for Kansas State last season and took a step back, with meager shooting and just over 11 points a game for the Wildcats.
What Memphis is hoping for is a level of production more similar to his time with the Wolverines. That personal success for McDaniel did come during an abysmal season for Michigan, though he hopes Memphis provides smoother waters. With a lineup completely consisting of new players, McDaniel’s experience will be even more important alongside his IQ and ability to spread the ball around. Even with Kansas State’s struggles, he did finish 5th in the Big 12 with 4.9 assists per game.
The immediate future looks very different for Memphis and it’s hard to know just what to expect until we see how these pieces work together. There seems to be a shortage of talent in the frontcourt outside Bradshaw and Hardaway, but McDaniel’s role is still more important. If he can become a reliable shooter again while dishing the ball and making others around him more successful then Memphis could do something notable again this year.