FORT WORTH, Texas – The Memphis Tigers have arrived in Fort Worth as they are getting ready for the start of AAC Tournament play on Friday but with their eyes on Selection Sunday, now just days away.
The good news for Penny Hardaway and the Tigers – they’re not sweating out a spot in the field of 68. That’s what happens when you have 11 quad one and quad two wins on a very impressive NCAA Tournament resume.
But here’s the problem.
It seems that nothing the Tigers do this weekend at Dickies Arena will have much of an effect on Memphis’ seeding in the Big Dance.
At best a six.
At worst is a spot in that dreaded eight-nine game…again.
At 26 and 5, the Tigers deserve better, leaving Hardaway expecting bad news come Selection Sunday.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that, I don’t know if it’s going to be good for us or not on Sunday. I don’t feel like, even if we win it all. So when you know that, you just get ready for whatever comes and we’ll be ready,” Hardaway said. “We’ll use that as some more bulletin board material. I like our team being in that mode versus being relaxed and content.”
And just in case the Tigers needed any extra motivation, Memphis tips off Tournament play with Wichita State.
The same Wichita State that knocked them out of last year’s tournament.
The same Shockers team that handed the Tigers one of their only two conference losses this season.