University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Madness: All The Smoke
Oct 03, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Tigers enjoy season tip-off celebration Thursday
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men's basketball head coach Penny Hardaway said it in a mid-May media gathering. On Thursday night before a capacity crowd of 18,119 at FedExForum, Tiger Nation gave its stamp of approval on what Hardaway said.
What they saw – and cheered – was "All The Smoke" at the 2019 edition of Memphis Madness, the basketball program's annual tip-off to the season.
During introductions, the raucous Memphis fans cheered as each Tiger, dressed in suit jackets, short slacks and ties, made his way through some smoke and the crowd to the team's newly-designed court, which was unveiled as part of the festivities Thursday night. The new design features a larger logo at mid-court along with tiger stripes in the foul lanes and down both sidelines. The majority of the court is painted blue with the "regular" wood floor look within both 3-point arcs.
"Hopefully, everyone likes it," Hardaway said. "I like it."
Hardaway said he provided input on the new court's design after suggesting a re-design of the floor.
"The court was out of this world," said 7-foot-1 freshman center James Wiseman.
After the staff introductions, the lights dimmed lower and a video was shown on the Tigers' 2019 signing class with smoke effects running through each newcomer's highlights.
Then, the largest smoke of all was left for Hardaway himself. Standing on the arena's Plaza Level stage in the west end zone, Hardaway lifted his arms in the midst of "all the smoke" to a roaring Tigers crowd.
The night then turned to contests, competitions and concerts.
The event held a skills competition, 3-point and dunk contests. D.J. Jeffries, a freshman on the men's team, and Aerial Wilson, a freshman from Ontario, took the skills crown. Alana Davis, a junior on the women's team, won the 3-point shooting contest, and Damion Baugh, a freshman on the men's team, took home the dunk title.
Special musical guests took center stage throughout the basketball celebration. Famous Amos appeared first just after the introductions. Future, Lil Baby, Young Dolph, Moneybagg Yo and Key Glock performed.
"As long as the men's and women's basketball teams had fun, that is what this is for," Hardaway said. "As long as they had smiles and enjoyed themselves, I know I enjoyed it."
Memphis plays its first exhibition game Oct. 24 when the Tigers host Christian Brothers University at FedExForum.
