Tigers Take Another Hit as NCAA Ruling and Big 12 Snub Define Offseason
It’s been a rough offseason in the Bluff City, and it’s not getting any easier for Memphis basketball fans. Just months after one of their best seasons as of late, the University of Memphis men’s basketball program was slapped with an additional two years of NCAA probation and a $30,000 fine for an academic misconduct violation involving a former staff member, two softball players, and veteran forward Malcolm Dandridge. According to the NCAA’s ruling, a retired academic advisor, Leslie Brooks, paid two Memphis softball players a total of $550 to complete coursework on behalf of Dandridge, who ironically had already earned his undergraduate degree at the time. The infraction, which occurred during the 2023-2024 season, led to the vacating of three wins against Wichita State, Temple, and Tulane, adding another layer of scrutiny to a program that has been trying to rebuild its reputation under Penny Hardaway.
Brief History of Memphis Basketball Controversies
Similar to Auburn star guard Tahaad Pettiford receiving a DUI and facing serious consequences, Memphis basketball has a history of being on the wrong side of the law. Since 2019, the Memphis men’s basketball program has been tied to multiple high-profile off-court controversies involving top talent. James Wiseman, the former number two pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after it was discovered that his family received $11,500 in moving assistance from then-high school coach Penny Hardaway, who was later Memphis' head coach. The fallout included a lawsuit, a 12-game suspension, and Wiseman ultimately leaving the program midseason to prepare for the NBA Draft. In 2023, Mikey Williams, another highly touted Memphis signee and recent Sacramento State transfer, was arrested in California on five counts of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing a gun at a car full of people. Though he avoided jail time by pleading guilty to a lesser charge, he never enrolled or played for the Tigers. Most recently, Sincere Parker, a transfer from McNeese State who was expected to play for Memphis in 2025–26, was arrested in July 2025 on charges of aggravated assault and vandalism following a domestic violence incident. His future with the program remains uncertain.
Another Thing Wrong for the Tigers
As if the NCAA hit wasn’t enough, Memphis also suffered a major blow off the court when it was revealed this week that the school’s efforts to join the Big 12 were denied despite reportedly offering a staggering two million dollar incentive to do so. The offer was intended to boost Memphis’ chances of finally joining a Power Five conference, a goal the university and its fan base have long pursued. Instead, the Big 12 opted to stand pat for now, leaving Memphis out in the cold once again. The history of the program's controversies definitely played a factor in the decision to deny Memphis from joining the conference.
Where Does Memphis Go from Here?
For a program that just won the AAC in 2025 and made it as a five seed in March Madness before collapsing to Nique Clifford and Colorado State, the past few months have been filled with frustration and missed opportunities. NCAA sanctions, vacated wins, a Big 12 snub, and silence from university leadership have left fans wondering what’s next and whether Penny Hardaway can keep the Tigers relevant amid so much off-court chaos. With a roster consisting of coveted transfers Aaron Bradshaw, Dug McDaniel, and Curtis Givens, this potentially could be the bounce-back season the Tigers need to regain positive relevance. Hopefully, the punishment for the academic misconduct violation and the denial from the Big 12 can spark a sense of rejuvenation for this Tigers basketball program.
