Vanderbilt basketball to host Memphis Tigers for first time in 25 years in season opener

Vanderbilt basketball is playing the Memphis Tigers in its season opener Nov. 7, the program announced Thursday.

The Tigers last played at Memorial Gymnasium in 1997, though the Commodores played at Memphis in 1998 and 2005, the latter matchup in the NIT.

This will be the first time the programs have faced off while being led by Jerry Stackhouse and Penny Hardaway, who both played in the NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Vanderbilt has not officially announced its non-conference schedule; however, other confirmed opponents include St. Mary's, Temple, NC State and Pittsburgh.

The Commodores finished last season 19-17 and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. It was the first winning season under Stackhouse. While Vanderbilt loses top scorer Scotty Pippen Jr., it returns the rest of its starters.

Memphis finished 22-11 in 2021-22 and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball schedule 2022-23: Memphis Tigers will be opener