Memphis basketball APR worst in AAC

After a rash of transfers in recent years, the Memphis men’s basketball team registered the lowest multi-year academic progress rate of any program in the state and the American Athletic Conference, according to figures released by the NCAA on Wednesday.

None of the state’s largest college athletic programs is facing penalties from the NCAA based on APR scores, but Tigers’ men’s basketball is suddenly close to the organization’s minimum threshold.

Memphis men’s basketball saw its APR drop from 951 to 934 after a singleyear score of 933 in 2016-17. It’s the program’s lowest multi-year APR score since 2005-06.

This year’s figures were based on APR scores beginning in 2013-14 and ending with the 2016-17 season.

The Tigers had at least 20 players leave the program before their eligibility expired during that time period, including six following the conclusion of former coach Tubby Smith’s first season in 2016-17.

Three more players (freshmen David Nickelberry and Jamal Johnson and guard Malik Rhodes) elected to transfer from Memphis since Penny Hardaway’s hiring in March, although their departures are not reflected in these new APR numbers.

The APR system is designed to measure retention and academic eligibility. A multi-year score of 930 or less can result in a variety of penalties, including — in some cases — a postseason ban.

The Chattanooga men’s basketball program and UT-Martin women’s track team also had a multi-year APR score of 934.

New Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt and Memphis football coach Mike Norvell are set to receive bonuses as a result of their programs’ strong APR scores.

Here are some of the other largest takeaways from APR reports at schools across the state.