What will Tigers’ roster look like next season?
One of the most important offseasons in Memphis basketball history began Monday.
Not because the Tigers are a seniorladen squad getting set to face a complete rebuild. Not because there's any semblance of instability where Penny Hardaway is concerned. And not because the program is trending in the wrong direction.
Instead, Memphis is coming off another 20-win season that ended with an NIT championship, Hardaway is about to embark upon Year Four as head coach, and every member of the team's roster is eligible to return.
But proposed legislation that would clear the way for Division I basketball players to transfer one time without having to sit out a year – a move which will reportedly be approved in April – could lead to drastic turnover on the Tigers' roster.
The subject was broached with Hardaway shortly after the Tigers' 77-64 win over Mississippi State in the NIT championship Sunday. While acknowledging the reality of the situation, he expressed optimism about the future should the bulk of the roster remain intact.
“If this group wants to stay together, we could be very dangerous,” he said. “Now, the guys know the system. They know how I coach. They know what the culture is. They know what they have to buy into for us to be champions next year on the next level. (But) I'm the type of coach where I don't really try to force kids to stay. If a kid feels like he wants to go somewhere else and play more minutes, I support that. There's nothing negative about that.”
Although the program has not yet gone through the routine end-of-season exit interview process, here is the outlook for each member of the Tigers' roster entering the offseason:
D.J. Jeffries
The sophomore forward's first season in a Memphis uniform was cut short
due to injury, and his second was impacted (like everyone else’s) by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Jeffries has shown flashes of big-time potential but has so far lacked the consistency the Tigers were hoping he would give them.
Jeffries isn’t a lock to return to Memphis for his junior season.
Jayden Hardaway
Hardaway was a pleasant surprise in the early going of his sophomore season, providing depth and giving the Tigers a dependable presence on both ends of the floor.
The son of the head coach, Hardaway’s return is as close to a sure thing as there is.
Alex Lomax
The junior point guard missed all but a few seconds of the last nine games with a left ankle injury. When healthy, Lomax was the team’s top assists man, one of its better defenders and its emotional leader.
Given his relationship with Hardaway and his value to the team, Lomax isn’t going anywhere.
Landers Nolley II
The Tigers’ leading scorer, a firstteam all-aac selection and the NIT’S Most Outstanding Player, Nolley’s first season at Memphis was productive.
Like he did last offseason, Nolley will almost certainly test the NBA draft waters. If he receives positive feedback, it’s expected he will pursue a professional career. If not, the indication is Nolley is motivated to be back at Memphis for his junior season.
Boogie Ellis
The San Diego native came on strong down the stretch after Lomax got hurt, averaging 13.4 points over his final 10 games.
The question is whether Ellis would be able to keep that up with a healthy Lomax back next season. The general feeling is Ellis is leaning toward the transfer portal.
Damion Baugh
A high-level defender, Baugh has struggled offensively, both scoring points and taking care of the ball. In addition, Tony Madlock, who was recently named head coach at South Carolina State, was instrumental in getting Baugh to Memphis.
Odds are Baugh opts to look elsewhere for a better opportunity.
Lester Quinones
The sophomore guard, with his ability to knock down shots more consistently, defend as well as any player in the AAC and rebound at a high level, has rapidly become a fan favorite.
Quinones is a longshot to leave Memphis.
Deandre Williams
Williams is a tricky one. Given his age (25 next season) and upside, he will almost certainly explore the professional route. But he was limited by lingering back issues all season, which could lead him to use the offseason to get healthy and return to the Tigers.
This one is a coin flip.
Jordan Nesbitt
The freshman guard played in only three games after enrolling mid-year. Considered a key piece of the Tigers’ 2021 signing class, which includes forwards Josh Minott and John Camden, as well as center Sam Ayomide Onu, Nesbitt is for now expected to return.
Malcolm Dandridge
Memphis’ primary backup at center, Dandridge made strides as a sophomore offensively and defensively.
Whether Dandridge returns next season will largely depend on what happens with Williams and starting center Moussa Cisse.
Connor Glennon
A freshman walk-on, Glennon got into eight games this season, mostly in blowout situations.
There’s no reason to believe Glennon won’t be back with the Tigers.
Moussa Cisse
The 6-foot-10 center took home AAC Freshman of the Year honors after a solid campaign that saw him average 6.6 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Another coin flip, at this point. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.