SMU Memphis Basketball: What to Expect

The SMU Memphis basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season. Here’s what to expect from the team this year.

Introduction

The SMU men’s Basketball team is set to tip off their 2019-2020 Season soon, and fans are eager to see what the team has in store. Here’s a preview of what to expect from the Mustangs this year.

Fans can expect an exciting brand of basketball from the Mustangs this season. Head Coach Penny Hardaway has assembled a talented group of players that should make for an entertaining product on the court. SMU will look to push the pace and score in bunches, as they have plenty of firepower on the offensive end.

The Mustangs will have a deep and experienced roster, as they return all five starters from last year’s team. They also bring in a talented recruiting class that should make an immediate impact. With so much talent and experience, SMU is poised for a big year on the hardwood.

The Team

The team is coached by Anfernee Hardaway. He is in his first season as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team The team plays their home games at the FedExForum.

The Memphis Tigers men’s Basketball team is a NCAA Division I college basketball team that represents the University of Memphis. The team is a member of the American Athletic Conference

The Schedule

The Schedule
The SMU men’s basketball team will open the 2019-20 season with an exhibition game against Kansas Wesleyan on Nov. 1, followed by the regular-season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 5. The Mustangs will play 31 regular-season games, including 17 at home in Moody Coliseum.

Television and radio information for all games will be announced at a later date. The American Athletic Conference schedule will be released in August.

The Fans

Some of the most passionate fans in collegiate basketball can be found cheering on the SMU Mustangs in Memphis. The fans are known for being rowdy and loud, and they often stay until the end of the game, regardless of the score. If you’re looking for a thrilling atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed by the fans at an SMU basketball game

The Rivalries

In conference play the Tigers have some strong rivalries. The most intense is probably the one with Tulsa. The two teams have been competitive for the last few years and there is a lot of bad blood between them. The games are always close and hard-fought. The other main rivals are Houston and UCF. These are both newer rivals, but the games are always hotly contested.

The Arena

The home court for the SMU men’s basketball team is located on the campus of the University of Memphis. Situated in the heart of Midtown, FedExForum opened its doors in September 2004 and has been the home of University of Memphis men’s basketball ever since.

With a capacity of 18,119, FedExForum is one of the largest arenas in NCAA Division I men’s basketball. The court itself is regulation size (94 feet by 50 feet), and there are 1,400 club seats and 54 suites located throughout the arena.

When game day comes around, you can expect a lively atmosphere with plenty of blue and gray in the stands. If you’re looking to catch a game on TV, all home games are broadcast on ESPN or CBS Sports Network.

The Coaches

Two years ago, the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs men’s basketball team was banned from post-season play due to NCAA violations. This year, they are eligible again and looking to make some noise in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Let’s take a look at the Coaching Staff that will be leading them.

Head coach Larry Brown is in his fourth season with SMU. He is a Hall of Fame coach with over 1,200 wins in both the collegiate and professional ranks. He has won an NCAA championship (1988, Kansas), an NBA Championship (2004, Detroit Pistons), and Olympic Gold as an Assistant Coach for the United States men’s national team in 2008. In other words, the guy knows how to win.

Assistant coaches Tim Jankovich and K.J. Black will be back for their fourth seasons as well. Jankovich has been with Brown for over 20 years, following him from Kansas to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs to SMU. Black was a walk-on player for Brown at Kansas before going on to have a successful professional career overseas.

Joining the staff this year are Johnathy Williams (director of player personnel) and Elliott Pryor (video coordinator). Williams has over 15 years of experience in collegiate basketball, most recently at Texas A&M University – Commerce. Pryor comes to SMU after two years as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Memphis.

With a mix of experience and fresh blood, the SMU coaching staff is poised to lead the Mustangs back to prominence in the AAC.

The Tradition

The tradition of Memphis Basketball is one that is rich in history and full of some of the greatest players to ever play the game The fans are passionate and loyal, and the team has a storied rivalry with nearby University of Kentucky The program has produced 2 NCAA National Championships 3 Final Fours, 6 conference championships and 11 NCAA tournament appearances. Some of the most notable players to come out of Memphis include Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Larry Finch, Derrick Rose and Elliot Perry. The city of Memphis bleeds blue as a result of this great program, and any fan that comes to see a game can expect an electric atmosphere full of passionate fans.

The Future

SMU Memphis basketball What to Expect
The SMU Mustangs men’s Basketball team is looking to improve on their 13-19 (5-13 AAC) record from last season. With a strong Recruiting Class coming in, the team is looking to make a splash in the AAC and compete for a NCAA Tournament bid.

The Mustangs will have a new look this season, as they will be led by first-year Head Coach Tim Jankovich. Jankovich comes to SMU after spending the last four seasons as an assistant under Larry Brown at Southern Methodist. Prior to that, he was the Head coach at Illinois State for six seasons.

Jankovich will have a talented team at his disposal, as the Mustangs return four of their five starters from last season. The only starter that they lost was center Yanick Moreira, who graduated. Returning players include point guard Nic Moore, shooting guard Sterling Brown, small forward Ben Moore, and Power Forward Semi Ojeleye.

TheMustangs also have a strong recruiting class coming in, which includes ESPN 100 recruits Jeremiah Martin (No. 86) and Jimmy Whitt (No. 93). Martin is a 6’3” point guard from Memphis who was ranked as the No. 4 point guard in the country by ESPN. He is a three-time All-State selection and averaged 24 points per game as a senior at East High School Whitt is a 6’4” shooting guard from Columbia, Missouri who was ranked as the No. 9 shooting guard in the country by ESPN. He averaged 22 points per game as a senior at Hickman high school and was named Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year.

With a strong returning core and talented recruiting class coming in, the SMU Mustangs men’s Basketball Team is looking to make noise in the AAC this season and compete for a NCAA tournament berth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Tigers have a talented team that could make some noise in the conference this season. They will be most successful if they can play up to their potential on a consistent basis. If they can do that, they should be in contention for an NCAA tournament berth.