FORT WORTH, Texas — The Memphis Tigers are back on top. On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the No. 1 seed Tigers (29-5) completed their mission to bring another championship trophy back to Memphis by defeating No. 3 seed UAB (22-12) 84-72 to claim the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament title at Dickies Arena.
Despite facing significant challenges, including the absence of key players and only having nine scholarship athletes available, the Tigers showed resilience and fortitude throughout the tournament. Coach Penny Hardaway expressed pride in his team's determination, stating, "We’re winners. We want to keep... winning edge and start the tradition going again of Memphis being associated with winning." This marks Memphis's second conference title, following their victory two years prior.
PJ Haggerty led the team with 23 points, complemented by Dain Dainja, who notched another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Dainja has now recorded five double-doubles over the last eight games, showcasing his immense talent and growth as the AAC’s Newcomer of the Year. Reflecting on this victory, Haggerty added, "It makes you feel good to see the 5. That's respecting us a lot. And we put the work in. We earned it." His performance was reportedly pivotal, especially as he hit key shots to keep Memphis ahead during the tight contest.
The matchup saw Memphis pulling away with Haggerty's tiebreaking bank shot early in the second half, which he followed by driving the baseline for another score, then stealing the ball and converting it for three points. This sequence was significant, as it allowed Memphis to maintain momentum against UAB, who entered the game as last year's AAC tournament champions.
For UAB, Yaxel Lendeborg demonstrated immense effort as he recorded 19 points and 17 rebounds, fighting fatigue after playing three intense games over the tournament. He commented postgame, expressing his struggle, "I feel like I couldn’t go. But I had to, so I tried to push through it. It was hard to breathe." UAB had high hopes of defending their conference title but fell short against Memphis's offensive strategies.
Following their tournament victory, Memphis secured the No. 5 seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, highlighting their return to the big stage after missing the tournament last year. "It's a great feeling," Hardaway noted, referencing their earlier setbacks, which motivated the team to push through this season.
Memphis's path to the national tournament wasn’t just dependent on the conference title. With their strong performance throughout the season, they already locked their spot. Their next challenge arises against No. 12 seed Colorado State (25-9) on Friday, March 21, 2025, highlighting the aspirations the Tigers hold with renewed vigor.
The AAC tournament not only showcased the skills of the Memphis players but also marked the culmination of five years at Dickies Arena. The league plans to announce the new tournament location soon, with potential venues including Memphis and other home cities of AAC members, signaling changes on the horizon.
Fans celebrated the triumph as they crowded around to catch their team's name on the NCAA Tournament bracket, which recently displayed Memphis with excitement befitting the ranking. With Hardaway at the helm, the program seems to be rebuilding toward greatness, reminiscent of the glory days when he was part of the team as a player back in the early '90s.
Looking forward, Memphis won't just be representing the AAC; they aim to make significant noise on the national stage with aspirations of advancing deep within the tournament. With injuries still impacting the team—most notable being the absence of starters Tyrese Hunter and Dante Harris—depth will be key to their success.
“We don’t want to leave anything on the table...,” Hardaway asserted, emphasizing the hunger and determination of his team. The Tigers are on track to be formidable contenders as they head to Seattle, eager to prove themselves on the national level.
With their recent success, the Memphis Tigers reflect the resilience and spirit of competition inherent to March Madness. Their thrilling win over UAB under adversity sets the stage for what they hope will be another memorable run come NCAA Tournament time, reminding fans of why Memphis basketball holds such significance within the sport.
