Memphis basketball is just getting started after end of NCAA tournament run
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Welcome back to the Memphis Sports newsletter. It’s Ray Padilla, the Commercial Appeal’s digital producer, with the latest in Bluff City Sports.
Even though the Memphis basketball’s season came to an end Saturday when they lost 82-78 to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, coach Penny Hardaway was far from miserable, our Jason Munz reports.
After the postgame press conference, Hardaway went back to the locker room, only to emerge later smiling alongside DeAndre Williams.
Hardaway wasn't penitent. He was proud. Proud of overcoming the inexperience, the infighting and the injuries. Proud of getting Memphis to its first NCAA Tournament since 2014. Proud of the upward trajectory the program is on and what needs to be done to keep the ball rolling.
In his latest column for subscribers, our Mark Giannotto says Hardaway answered those stupid (bleeping) questions that defined how dangerously close this season was going completely off the rails.
Here’s an excerpt from the column:
The clock closed in on midnight back in Memphis when Penny Hardaway emerged from the locker room. His hands were buried in his pocket and the din of tens of thousands of Gonzaga faithful were replaced by the silence of a season-ending 82-78 loss in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
Gonzaga (28-3 had sent the Tigers (22-11) home agonizingly close to a stunning upset and a spot in the Sweet 16, and it was now exactly four years to the day.
Four years to the day to when Hardaway officially became the coach at his alma mater. Four years full of setbacks and celebration that swerved in directions nobody anticipated when he stood inside the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center, in front of a mass of fans who wanted him to save the program from unimaginable depths of disinterest.
This has been an assignment more than a job, Hardaway would say within the bowels of the Moda Center a few minutes later, because he knew the city and the university needed him. But facing another question about this season, about the way it began and the way it turned around and the way it ended, Hardaway’s initial thoughts were as encouraging as anything he has ever said.
Grizzlies are too painful to watch for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith, the longtime ESPN personality, is a “diehard” New York Knicks fan.
It helps explain why he remains chafed after watching the Grizzlies go No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft, one spot in front of his beloved Knicks, our Damichael Cole reports.
"What people don't realize about me no matter how many times I tell them, I'm a diehard Knicks fan," Smith said in a conversation with The Commercial Appeal. "I'm a native New Yorker, and the New York Knicks suck."
Now, ESPN is bringing Smith and many of its other talents to watch the Grizzlies host the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum on Wednesday night. Smith and his colleagues will spend the entire day providing all-access coverage on the Grizzlies.
ESPN gives viewers All-Access look at Memphis Grizzlies
ESPN is rolling out a full day of programming for the Memphis Grizzlies game on Wednesday, Damichael reports.
ESPN will give viewers an All-Access look at the Grizzlies that will include film sessions, workouts, meetings, mic'd-up coaches, players and more. An All-Access day of coverage dedicated to one NBA team hasn't been done since the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018.
"When you look at the Grizzlies, they have one of the best records in the NBA, and it's been frankly under the radar," said David Roberts, head of ESPN's NBA and Studio production. "They have some of the best young talent in the NBA, as well as we look at where the league's future lies in terms of the next generation of stars; arguably, it starts in Memphis."
Memphis football’s spring practice begins with emphasis on ball security
Memphis' first practice brought the familiar sounds of whistles, yelling and constant movement Sunday, our Evan Barnes reports. It also brought some adjustment for the new faces.
With 18 newcomers, there was as much introduction as there was teaching new systems.
"There's a little bit of running in place for me until I figured out where I was supposed to go next," first-year defensive coordinator Matt Barnes said. "Fortunately Coach (Ryan) Silverfield is extremely well organized and does a great job laying it out for us and making it as idiot-proof as he can."
Evan reports how the first practice went and goals Silverfield has for the team this upcoming season.
Witness in Billy Ray Turner’s trial describes night Lorenzen Wright was killed
In the ongoing trial of Billy Ray Turner, the man accused of killing Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, key witness Jimmie Martin was questioned over the course of two days by the prosecution and defense, our Micaela Watts reports.
Martin, who is the cousin of Wright's ex-wife Sherra Wright, testified Thursday and Friday to Turner's role in luring Wright to the remote area where he was gunned down and the subsequent efforts of Sherra Wright and Turner to conceal their crime.
Martin has admitted to a role in covering up the shooting but has insisted he was not the one to shoot Wright.
Our Micaela Watts has been following Turner’s trial and has the latest details of the murder case.
The Scoreboard
Memphis Grizzlies win against Indiana Pacers (135-102)
Memphis Grizzlies lose to Atlanta Hawks (105-120)
Memphis Grizzlies win against Houston Rockets (122-98)
Tigers Basketball win against Boise State (64-53)
Tigers Basketball lose to Gonzaga (82-78)
Memphis 901 FC lose to Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-3)
Memphis 901 FC win against Oakland Roots (2-1)
Mark Your Calendar
Memphis Grizzlies vs Brooklyn Nets: Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. at FedExForum
Memphis Grizzlies vs Indiana Pacers: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m. at FedExForum
Memphis Grizzlies vs Milwaukee Bucks: Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. at FedExForum
Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors: Monday, March 28, 7 p.m. at FedExForum
Memphis 901 FC vs Los Vegas Lights: Saturday, March 26, 9 p.m. at Cashman Field
The Memphis Sports newsletter was written by Ray Padilla, the digital producer for The Commercial Appeal, and features stories written by Damichael Cole, Mark Giannatto, Jason Munz, Evan Barnes and Micaela Watts. Ray can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis sports: Tigers basketball starting; ESPN Grizzlies All-Access
