Tigers ready to tip off 2019 foreign tour

Aug 12, 2019 | Men's Basketball

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Hardaway's highly regarded freshman class to make debut in Bahamas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's basketball team travels to The Bahamas on Monday -- with the nation's top-ranked recruiting class -- to begin a four-game exhibition series against four Bahamian squads.

The Tigers will mix business with pleasure during their eight days in Nassau. Several fun outings are planned around a four-games-in-five-days schedule starting with a game Wednesday against the Commonwealth Bank Giants, the two-time defending New Providence Basketball Association champions. Earlier this month, the Commonwealth Bank Giants narrowly lost to Temple (98-96) and defeated McNeese State (79-65).

Other games will be played Thursday against the Providence Storm; Saturday against the Bahamas National Team and Sunday against Raw Talent Elite. Each of the games will tipoff at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. CT) with the exception of Sunday's game, which starts at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. CT). All games will be played at the Baha Mar Resort's New Providence Ballroom.

Tigers' coach Penny Hardaway will use the week to get his first look at a team that is expected to start the season nationally ranked. FIBA rules will be in effect, including four 10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock.

The Tigers signed the nation's top-ranked recruit, center James Wiseman, last November and added forward Precious Achiuwa, another 5-star recruit. They are joined by several other highly regarded freshmen, including Lester Quinones, Damion Baugh, Boogie Ellis, D.J. Jeffries and Malcolm Dandridge. Returnees include guards Tyler Harris and Alex Lomax, along with forward Isaiah Maurice.

Coach Hardaway is hoping to discover a lot about his team during the week-long trip.

"We'll try to find out what lineups work well together and the chemistry out there on the floor," Hardaway said. "And I want to see how we'll do in adverse situations.

"I'd wish every game was a knock-down, drag-out, physical (game) and the refs are allowing us to play and see how our guys respond to that."

Hardaway said the focus will be getting the ball up and down the court and beginning the process of making this year's Tigers one of the best defensive teams in the country.

"We want to have an identity on the defensive end, as well," he said.

MEMPHIS BASKETBALL 2019 BAHAMAS TOUR

Site: Baha Mar Resort/Nassau, The Bahamas
Rules: FIBA rules (including four 10-minute quarters, 24-second shot clock)

Schedule: (All tipoffs are Central Time)
Wednesday 4 p.m.              Commonwealth Bank Giants
Thursday       4 p.m.              Providence Storm
Saturday        4 p.m. Bahamas National Team
Sunday 9 a.m. Raw Talent Elite