The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team is set for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 5 seed after claiming the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship. Following their decisive 84-72 victory over UAB, the Tigers have established themselves as one of the teams to watch this March Madness. Memphis, currently holding the No. 16 ranking as per the Associated Press, will be seeking to capitalize on their momentum as they face Colorado State, the No. 12 seed, on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
With their season record standing at 29-5 and on the heels of their recent eight-game winning streak, the Tigers have made quite the impression. Their path to the NCAA Tournament included victories over Wichita State (83-80) and Tulane (78-77) before they overcame UAB, showcasing their resilience and talent under pressure.
Key players have been instrumental to Memphis' success. PJ Haggerty, recognized as the AAC Player of the Year, has emerged as a standout with his impressive performances, including his recent career-high 42 points against Wichita State, tying Russell Smith’s single-game tournament record from 2014. Against UAB, Haggerty scored 23 points, reinforcing his status as one of the driving forces for the Tigers.
Dain Dainja has also played a pivotal role, recording yet another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds in the championship match. His contributions, along with Colby Rogers’ 15 points, have solidified Memphis as not just competitive, but formidable contenders this tournament season.
Despite their strong resume, which includes 11 combined Quad 1 and 2 victories, questions linger. Many skeptics, including Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway, were surprised by the team receiving such favorable seeding, especially considering their two Quad 3 losses against Arkansas State and Temple. Hardaway expressed his feelings on Selection Sunday, stating, "We heard so much 8-9 [seed talk] for the last month... But it does make [me] feel good to see the 5. That’s respecting us a lot. We put the work in, [and] we earned it." His optimism reflects the team's determination and the respect they have earned throughout the season.
Haggerty, Dainja, and Moussa Cisse, who recorded double-doubles over the tournament, were named to the All-Tournament Team for their outstanding performances. Haggerty’s transformation this season has paid off, leading others to expect good things from the Tigers' opening game against Colorado State.
Colorado State enters the tournament with its own achievements, boasting ten consecutive wins. This winning streak has set the stage for what many are labeling potential upsets during March Madness, particularly with Memphis being regarded as vulnerable by certain analysts. ESPN's Jay Bilas forecasted the game as tightly contested, noting, “there's a possibility of a seed upset.” Meanwhile, Billings, B CBS proportionally leaned toward Colorado State's strength, with several analysts predicting them to edge out Memphis, presenting the Tigers with yet another challenge.
Certainly, the stakes are high for Memphis as they look to break through the first round, especially after their past NCAA Tournament performances. Over their history, Memphis has made the tournament 29 times and has accumulated 35 wins, with recent successes being overshadowed by vacated records from earlier championships.
Adding to the intensity of their march through the NCAA tournament, Memphis is currently faced with injury issues affecting key players Tyrese Hunter and Dante Harris. Hunter, who has been pivotal this season, suffered from foot issues and missed the tournament title game. Coach Hardaway is cautiously optimistic as he hasn't ruled either player out for the upcoming game. "We’re just waiting on those guys. We played hard for those guys, because we didn’t want to let them down as well," Hardaway said about his team’s performance without the injured guards.
The match-up against Colorado State is slated for Friday at 1 p.m. CT, where the outcome could dictate how Memphis' season shapes up. If the Tigers can push past their competitors, they could prove their doubters wrong and solidify their place as legitimate contenders for the championship.
Fans and analysts alike will be keeping their eyes on how Memphis performs against Colorado State and beyond, as they aim to continue their impressive run through this year’s NCAA Tournament. It's not just about seeding; it's about heart, skill, resilience, and the quest for glory.
