DAYTON, Ohio – How cool is this for the Bluff city.

Penny Hardaway isn’t the only former Memphis Tiger coaching in the NCAA Tournament this year. Hardaway’s former Tiger teammate and a former member of his Memphis staff, Tony Madlock has Alabama State back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2011.

The Hornets are in the First Four in Dayton and hoping to earn a spot in the main draw with a win Tuesday night over St. Francis.

Leading Alabama State to a win in the SWAC Tournament, Madlock and the Hornets are hoping to move on with two Memphians on the roster.

Former Bartlett star Amarr Knox and the coach’s son, TJ Madlock.

“We’re trying to keep playing. We want to keep playing. Honestly, we know we come in here as a 16 seed, so don’t nobody expect too much out of it,” TJ Madlock said. “But it’s always a Cinderella story, so why not us?” 

“It just feels so good to be playing at this time of year. I’ve been in this business a long time, 29 years, and there are a lot of Marches that I’m not participating,” Tony Madlock said. “So this is a lot of fun, and it feels good to get Alabama State back to the dance.”

With a win over the Red Flash, Madlock and Alabama State would move on to take on the NCAA Tournament’s overall number-one seed Auburn on Thursday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.