Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway expressed his satisfaction following his team’s impressive 80-65 victory over the USF Bulls on Feb. 14, 2025.
Penny Hardaway Pleased With Tigers’ Eighth Win in a Row
Most of the job was already done in the first half, as the Tigers took a 15-point lead into the break. Although USF tried to fight back in the second half, Hardaway’s squad held on tightly to their lead.
Aside from the fact that that win keeps Memphis at the summit of the AAC with an incredible 11-1 conference record, it was also Hardaway’s 150th win at Memphis.
Since taking over as the Memphis basketball coach in 2018, it has been a rollercoaster ride for the former Orlando Magic point guard. He has had to battle big roster changes, an academic scandal, and erratic form. The COVID-19 pandemic also did not do well for the team.
However, it is now looking up for him after almost seven years in charge of Memphis basketball.
Following the game, Hardaway looked upbeat, and he expressed his satisfaction with the win at USF.
“To have 150 wins six and a half years in—the players that have come, the coaches that have helped me have all been a part of this, man. I’m so thankful,” Hardaway said in the postgame press conference. “I’ve been faithful to my craft. Even if I’ve made mistakes, I’ve been very faithful, and I worked really hard.”
It is now eight straight wins for the Tigers, but Hardaway is not pressured by that. Rather, he wants to keep stacking up with wins. Ahead of Saturday’s Bracketology where the selection committee releases the top 16 seeds, Hardaway wants his team to stay focused on winning games.
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“I’m not going to watch the show,” Hardaway said. “I’m just going to take the advice of Ed Scott and keep stacking wins. That’s what you want to do. If you keep stacking wins, we’ll be where we want to be.”
Hardaway also acknowledged players like Moussa Cisse, PJ Carter, and Tyrese Hunter for their performances.
Next up for Memphis is a visit to Wichita State on Feb. 16. Then, they begin a two-game homestand against Florida Atlantic and Rice.
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