5 Hot Takes Before Tip-Off: Tigers Basketball

Memphis will win the AAC tournament and the regular season title as champions: In a year that Memphis has revamped its staff and reloaded their talent, they will double up and win the conference.

This will be Penny Hardaway's last season as the Head Coach: This take comes from Tiger Sports Report's, Larry Marley. Hardaway is going into his 7th year, and is seemingly pushing all his chips in, by making big changes with the coaching staff and assembling a team full of transfers, Hardaway knows the pressure he faces after last year's disappointing ending.

Memphis will not not the conference, but will win one game in the NCAA Tournament-Bryan Moss: After missing the tournament last year, the Tigers will course correct and make an appearance, although they will not win the conference tournament or regular season crown.

Dain Dainja makes AAC first team and is the only Tiger to do so: This take is courtesy of staff writer Sam Shoemaker. On a team loaded with talent, Dainja is the man who takes the step forward and earns an AAC first team spot. The Illinois transfer averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in his last season with the Fighting Illini.

Nick Jourdain finishes the season as the Tigers MVP: I have been very high on the senior forward for Memphis, and believe this is his breakout year for the squad. Jourdain is the only returning starter from last year's team, and will be the soul of this year's team. Jourdain finished last year averaging 6.5 points and 4 rebounds, I expect a big jump from the senior from New Jersey.