"I keep all receipts": Memphis HC Penny Hardaway claps back at negative comments about the Tigers

Memphis Tigers’ seventh-year coach Penny Hardaway, on the radio show The Voice of MSCS' had a lengthy conversation, where the four-time NBA All-Star reflected on the ongoing fallouts and battles of the Tigers’ dismal 2023-24 season. To express his frustration, he claimed to be an easy target for the local media all year around.

Moreover, Hardaway believes that despite excess scrutiny and monitoring, the media fails to talk about the athletic elements like the Tigers’ process, mindset, approaches and other things.

"It's not even about reporting about what we do and how we do it. It's more personal," Penny Hardaway said.

"I can read through it. I see everything. I keep all receipts. I just laugh, because every single thing this year from the smallest thing has been reported or an article written on it. And there's been a lot more negative and personal things toward me this year out of all years, because to me it was a layup," he added.

The last season was one of the toughest for the Tigers. They started their season behind a 15-2 run but finished with a 7-8 record in the ACC conference. They missed an invite from the NCAA as they declared non-participation for the NIT.

The entire run rattled the cast, as in the 2022-23 season, Penny Hardaway's roster lifted its first ACC Tournament title by beating the Houston Cougars.

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Memphis fan-favorite leaves Penny Hardaway's crew

Memphis’ walk-on guard Joe Cooper has left the Tigers to enter the transfer portal.

The six-foot-one native joined Memphis last year but joined the squad in January due to academic issues. Playing 8.2 minutes a game, Cooper garnered 8 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and thtee steals in six games.

Cooper’s exit comes as a shocker for fans and at a crucial juncture for Memphis. The program is looking to repeat its 2022-23 season success but has Nick Jourdain as the only returning scholarship player.

Nevertheless, Penny Hardaway has already been retooling the backcourt this offseason. In the last two months, he has added four new guards and two forwards to the lineup from the transfer portal and two freshmen.

Now, the Tigers have three vacant scholarship spots remaining and is aligned to host Glenn Taylor Jr. (St.John’s transfer) for a visit this week.