Memphis Tigers in the NCAA Tournament: A Legacy of Hoops History

The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team, representing the University of Memphis, has a rich and storied history in the NCAA Division I men's college basketball landscape. A member of the American Conference since 2013, the Tigers boast the 26th highest winning percentage in NCAA history as of 2020. While the Elma Roane Fieldhouse remains the primary home for the women's basketball team, the men's team has played its home games off-campus since the mid-1960s, moving from the Mid-South Coliseum to The Pyramid and finally to the FedExForum in 2004.

Early Years and the Curlin Era

The genesis of Memphis basketball dates back to 1920, with the West Tennessee State Normal School fielding its first team. Zach Curlin took the reins in 1924, guiding the team through its early years in the Mississippi Valley Conference (which they joined in 1928). The team's initial home games were held in various locations, including a local high school gym, a YMCA, and the "Normal Cage" on campus. By the time Curlin's tenure concluded in 1948, the school had transitioned to Memphis State College.

Transition and Early Tournament Appearances

McCoy Tarry succeeded Curlin, ushering in a new era that included the opening of the $700,000 Fieldhouse gym in 1951. In 1952, John Wallesea made history as the first Memphis State player drafted by the NBA, followed by Forest Arnold's All-American recognition in 1954. The Tigers' first foray into the NCAA tournament came in 1955 under coach Eugene Lambert.

The Vanatta and Ehlers Years

Bob Vanatta took over in 1956, leading the Tigers to the NIT final. Dean Ehlers assumed coaching duties in 1962, and in 1964, the Tigers began playing their home games at the Mid-South Coliseum.

The Iba Era: A Low Point

Moe Iba's arrival in 1966 coincided with the team's move to the Missouri Valley Conference. However, his four-year tenure is considered a nadir in Memphis basketball history, with the team enduring consecutive seasons with 19 and 20 losses, ultimately leading to Iba's dismissal.

The Bartow Era: A Rise to National Prominence

In 1970, Gene Bartow was appointed head coach, marking the beginning of a transformative period. That season also saw the debut of Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson, two iconic players who significantly impacted the program. Finch immediately made his presence felt, scoring 24 points in his first game as a freshman.

In 1971, Finch and Robinson led the Tigers to an upset victory over conference rival Louisville. Their 11-2 record propelled them to a #19 ranking, a feat not achieved in a decade. The 1971-1972 season saw a narrow defeat to No. 2 Marquette and a shared Missouri Valley Conference title with Louisville after a win in Freedom Hall.

The 1972-73 season was a watershed moment, with seniors Finch and Robinson guiding the Tigers to unprecedented success. Memphis State secured the MVC title outright after a 14-game winning streak and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Victories over South Carolina and Kansas State led them to the Final Four, where they defeated Providence to earn a spot in the national championship game against the UCLA Bruins, coached by John Wooden and led by star Bill Walton. Despite a strong first half, the Tigers were outmatched in the second half, ultimately losing 87-66.

Bartow was named NABC National Coach of the Year, and Larry Finch earned consensus All-American honors. Larry Kenon, another member of the Finals team, went on to a successful NBA career, becoming a two-time All-Star.

The Yates Era and Metro Conference Entry

Wayne Yates replaced Bartow in 1974, maintaining the program's success with three consecutive 20-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament berth in 1976. That same year, the Tigers transitioned from the Missouri Valley Conference to become founding members of the Metro Conference.

The 1980s: Continued Success and Controversy

The 1980s saw the Tigers make seven NCAA tournament appearances, win three Metro Conference titles, and amass a 230-87 (.726) record. Keith Lee's arrival in 1982 coincided with Memphis achieving its first-ever number one ranking in both major national polls. However, a loss to Virginia Tech soon followed.

In the 1983 NCAA tournament, the Tigers defeated Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing. The 1984-1985 season was another highlight, with Lee leading the team to the NCAA tournament. Wins over Penn, UAB, Boston College, and Oklahoma propelled Memphis State to its second Final Four. They were defeated by eventual champion Villanova, finishing the season 31-4. Notably, all but one of the 12 players on this team were from the Memphis metro area. Lee earned his third consensus All-American selection.

In 1986, Dana Kirk's tenure ended amidst a criminal investigation and findings of NCAA violations. The Tigers were forced to sit out the 1987 NCAA tournament and were stripped of their NCAA tournament appearances from 1982 to 1986, including the 1985 Final Four run.

The Finch Era: Returning to the Helm

Larry Finch, a key player from the 1972-73 team, took over as head coach in 1986. One of his early recruits, Elliot Perry, led Memphis State to the 1988 and 1989 NCAA Tournaments and was later drafted to the NBA.

The Hardaway Era and Conference Shifts

In 1990, Finch recruited Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the nation's top-rated high school prospect. The Tigers joined the Great Midwest Conference and began playing their home games at the Pyramid Arena in 1991. Hardaway led Memphis State to the 1992 NCAA tournament, where they lost to Cincinnati in the Elite Eight. He was named All-American and trained with the Dream Team before the Barcelona Olympics.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

During the 1992-93 season, Hardaway achieved Memphis State's first triple-double and then the first back-to-back triple-doubles. On February 6, 1993, the school recorded its 1,000th all-time basketball victory with an upset over No. 4 Cincinnati. After the season, Hardaway was drafted into the NBA, becoming the program's most successful NBA player.

Late 1990s: Transition and Conference USA

In 1995, a Memphis team featuring future NBA players David Vaughn, Cedric Henderson, and Lorenzen Wright reached the 1995 NCAA tournament, losing in the Sweet Sixteen. Memphis joined Conference USA in 1995 as a founding member with Louisville and Cincinnati. Finch stepped down in 1997, and Tic Price took over, leading the team through a less successful period.

The Calipari Era: A Resurgence

John Calipari was named Memphis' head coach in 2000, ushering in a new era of success. The Tigers won the 2002 NIT championship and made the NCAA tournament in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the Tigers moved to the FedExForum.

The 2005-06 Tigers, led by Darius Washington, Shawne Williams, and Rodney Carney, set a school record by going 30-3 and reaching a No. 3 ranking. Despite losing key players, the 2006-07 Tigers replicated the previous season's record, were ranked as high as No. 5, and won the Conference USA championship, earning a No. 2 seed in the 2007 NCAA tournament.

The 2007-08 Memphis Tigers achieved a No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll in January 2008, the school's first since 1982. Led by Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose, the team won its third straight Conference USA title and received a No. 1 seed in the 2008 NCAA tournament. They advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1985, defeating UCLA to reach the National Championship game, where they lost.

The 2008-09 Tigers, led by Tyreke Evans, went undefeated in Conference USA and earned a two seed in the 2009 NCAA tournament.

The Vacated Season and Pastner Era

On March 31, 2009, Calipari resigned to become the head coach at the University of Kentucky. In the months following Calipari's departure, nearly all of the incoming recruits decommitted from Memphis. On May 28, 2009, the NCAA accused the Tigers of allowing an ineligible player to participate in their games during the 2007-08 season. On August 20, 2009, the NCAA announced that Memphis must vacate all 38 wins for that season, including their NCAA tournament appearance, and spend three years on probation due to Derrick Rose's fraudulent SAT score and his brother's free travel and lodging.

On April 7, 2009, Josh Pastner was named the team's head coach. During the 2011-12 season, the Tigers announced they were leaving Conference USA to join the Big East Conference starting in 2013 (later renamed the American Athletic Conference). In 2012-13, the Tigers, led by Joe Jackson, won the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles in their last season in CUSA.

Recent Years

Tubby Smith was fired on March 14, 2018, after failing to reach the NCAA Tournament in both of his two years as head coach.

NCAA Tournament Record

The Tigers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 28 times, with an overall record of 35-27.

National Invitation Tournament (NIT)

The Tigers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 19 times.

Hall of Fame Coaches and All-Americans

The Memphis program has two coaches inducted into the National College Basketball Hall of Fame (Gene Bartow) and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (John Calipari). The school has yet to produce any players that have been inducted.

Memphis has had 10 players chosen as All-Americans by the four sources used by the NCAA to determine consensus teams. Three players have been unanimous first-team selections (Keith Lee, Anfernee Hardaway, and Chris Douglas-Roberts).

NBA Draft

Since the NBA draft began in 1947, 52 players from Memphis have been drafted, with an additional nine played after being signed as undrafted free agents. Of the 52 drafted players, 28 played in at least one NBA (or ABA) game. Memphis has produced 14 first-round picks, including 8 top-ten picks and one number-one pick (Derrick Rose). Three former Tigers have been named NBA All-Stars: Larry Kenon (twice), Penny Hardaway (4 times), and Derrick Rose (3 times). Four have gone on to win the NBA Championship. In 2010, Memphis became the second college to produce two consecutive NBA Rookie of the Year winners. In 2011, Rose became the first former Tiger to be named the NBA Most Valuable Player.

Retired Jerseys

The University of Memphis has retired nine jerseys.

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