Tigers wait on NCAA to let Thomas play

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway voiced his frustration Thursday as he continues to wait for a decision by the NCAA on sophomore forward Lance Thomas' eligibility this season.

"I guess that's the biggest question going for us right now," Hardaway said. "It's a little frustrating to me, but we are going to be patient and hope that the outcome will be in our favor."

Thomas transferred to Memphis after playing for Louisville last season. The 6foot-10 forward applied for a waiver to avoid sitting out this season, per NCAA transfer rules.

At Memphis basketball's media day two months ago, Thomas said he cited the firing of former Louisville coach Rick Pitino and the school's alleged involvement in the FBI pay-for-play probe as the reason he was applying for a waiver.

"I wasn't prepared for (the Louisville FBI probe)," Thomas said in September. "That's not what I was told was going to happen. That's not what I expected to happen. That's why I feel like I deserve to play."

Hardaway said Thursday that the waiver was applied for "a couple weeks ago," and he is hoping the NCAA will respond before the start of the season in four days.

Thomas would give the Tigers more depth in their frontcourt and another forward who can shoot the ball from 3-point range.

"We want him to play if he's eligible," Hardaway said. "He's anxious, and patiently waiting as well."

Injury update

Hardaway said senior Mike Parks Jr. will sit out again Friday night's exhibition game against Christian Brothers University with back discomfort, but he expects freshman David Wingett to play.

Parks and Wingett (head) did not play in the Tigers' first exhibition game last week against LeMoyne-Owen.

Hardaway said he expects Parks to "be a game-time decision" going forward.

"We don't really need him to play (Friday)," Hardaway said. "We want him to be healthy."

Wingett missed the first exhibition after taking an elbow to the forehead during practice, but the freshman participated in a light shootaround before the game.

"David is really excited," Hardaway said. "He had the opportunity to watch the first exhibition from the sideline and kind of feel things out. Hopefully, he got the nerves out from watching and seeing how it all works."

Hardaway said he expects to go with the same starters he used against LeMoyne-Owen.

That starting five featured three guards – Alex Lomax, Jeremiah Martin and Tyler Harris – and two forwards – Kyvon Davenport and Isaiah Maurice.

"Unless something changes (Thursday) in practice, it's the same for right now," Hardaway said.

Slow tempo CBU

Christian Brothers probably will play a contrasting style compared to LeMoyneOwen. The Buccaneers are known for a slow tempo offense, which forces opponents to defend for the entire 30-second shot clock.

"LeMoyne-Owen was a team that wants to run like us," Hardaway said. "Now (CBU) is going to slow us down, make us think, and make things very uncomfortable for us."

That's part of the reason the first-year coach said he wanted to play CBU before the season.

Memphis finished with 44 fast-break points in its exhibition against LeMoyneOwen.

"(Friday) is going to be a test for our guys mentally and physically, and I like that," Hardaway said.