March Madness is here, and every team is hoping to be at full strength as they chase a national championship. Unfortunately for Memphis, two key players—Tyrese Hunter and Dante Harris—are dealing with injuries at the worst possible time. With the tournament just around the corner, head coach Penny Hardaway is keeping all options open.
Tyrese Hunter’s Injury Kept His Status Uncertain
The Tigers, ranked No. 16 in the country, enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed after an impressive 29-5 season. They secured both the AAC regular-season title and the conference tournament championship, setting them up for a strong postseason run.
Tyrese Hunter stamps the Tigers’ championship pic.twitter.com/CFjWKhtBn1
— Jason Munz (@munzly) March 16, 2025
Their first-round matchup will be against No. 12 seed Colorado State (25-9) at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Friday at 1 p.m. CT, airing on TBS.
Hunter, a crucial starter for Memphis, missed Sunday’s conference title game against UAB after injuring his left foot in the semifinals. The incident occurred in the second half against Tulane when he accidentally stepped on teammate Baraka Okojie’s foot.
Hunter was seen on the sidelines wearing a walking boot, raising concerns about his availability for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Harris, who transferred to Memphis from Virginia in December, has also been dealing with an injury. He suffered a high ankle sprain against UTSA on March 4 and has not played since.
While he spent over a week in a protective boot, he did not wear it during the final two games of the AAC tournament, signaling progress in his recovery.
On Monday, Hardaway provided an update on both players during his weekly radio show at the packed Brookhaven Pub & Grill. Though hopeful, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Hunter’s condition.
“(Harris’) ankle is still a little sore but getting way better,” Hardaway said.
“Tyrese, we’ll see tomorrow (Tuesday) on him, on how we’re going to handle things. He’s in a little more difficult situation than Dante. But still in great spirits. Still feeling like he can try. But we’ll see.”
Memphis Adjusts Without Key Players
Despite the injuries, Memphis showed resilience in the AAC championship game. With Hunter and Harris unavailable, Hardaway turned to Baraka Okojie to step up as the team’s primary point guard.
The sophomore transfer from George Mason had been averaging just over 10 minutes per game but was thrust into a larger role when the team needed him most.
Okojie responded by playing 28 minutes against UAB, contributing five points, four assists, two steals, and a rebound. While his numbers weren’t flashy, his ability to keep the offense running smoothly helped Memphis secure the conference title.
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His performance provided a glimpse of what he might bring to the table if Hunter and Harris remain sidelined.
Memphis fans and college basketball analysts alike will be watching closely for further updates on Hunter’s and Harris’ conditions. As March Madness unfolds, their potential return could make all the difference in the Tigers’ pursuit of a deep tournament run.
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