Memphis basketball loses again in NCAA tournament opener

Memphis faced a disappointing end to their NCAA tournament run, losing to Colorado State 78-70 in the first round. Coach Penny Hardaway has been unable to lead the Tigers to the Sweet 16 since he took over in 2018. This was Memphis' third tournament appearance under Hardaway, who highlighted the need for improvement. The Tigers started strong, holding a 36-31 halftime lead. However, they struggled in the second half as Colorado State's Kyan Evans excelled, scoring 23 points and helping his team to a significant lead. Memphis missed key player Tyrese Hunter due to injury, which affected their performance. Hardaway expressed frustration over the team's inability to advance in the tournament, understanding the scrutiny that comes with these repeated early exits. He emphasized the importance of recruiting and staying healthy to improve their chances in the future. Despite holding the lead early, Memphis could not maintain momentum. Their top scorer, Dain Dainja, had a strong first half but was held scoreless in the final minutes. Hardaway recognized that every postseason lacks a little bit of luck and experience can make a big difference in these tight moments.