Memphis Madness: Back To Business

Oct 04, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Tigers enjoy a party, pep rally at FedExForum Thursday night.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –It's Back to Business for University of Memphis basketball in 2018-19. But, for one night in the Bluff City, the Tigers took a break from practice to enjoy a night of fun and excitement – a "pep rally," according to Tigers new head coach Penny Hardaway.

Well, it was that, and then some. The 2018 Memphis Madness was a "slam dunk" party before a raucous capacity crowd of 18,119 at FedExForum Thursday night.

"I'm so proud of the city for doing this (coming out and filling the arena)," Hardaway said. "The love is mutual."

There was celebrity entertainment from Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, BlocBoy JB and Derez Deshon. However, the highlight of the evening for Tiger Nation was the introduction of the men's basketball team and Hardaway, all of whom entered the arena wearing business suits, an idea proposed by senior and returning leading scorer Jeremiah Martin.

"I thought they looked good on us," Martin said. "We thought it would be a great look. So me and Tyler (Harris) talked to coach and he said `Sure, if that's what you guys want to do, I got ya'll.' "

After the introductions, the fans were treated to a skills competition, three-point and dunk contests, and the Tigers' freshmen took all three titles. Freshman Alex Lomax and women's basketball freshman Jamirah Shutes teamed up to win the skills competition. Freshman Ryan Boyce won the dunk title, and freshman David Wingett claimed the three-point contest.

The men's basketball squad also held an intrasquad scrimmage, which was won by the freshmen-led Blue team, 46-32. Tyler Harris and Lomax, freshman guards, paced the winners. Harris had several 3-pointers and a chin-up dunk.

Hardaway closed the night's festivities with a big thank you to Tiger Nation, and an invite to the exhibition opener in three weeks. Memphis plays its first exhibition game Oct. 25 when the Tigers host LeMoyne-Owen College at FedExForum.

Memphis' regular-season opener is set for Nov. 6 when Tennessee Tech comes to the Bluff City.

"There was a lot of excitement," Martin said. "We just want to keep it going."