There is more than one way to achieve NET glory.
Teams can schedule a series of cupcake opponents and bet on the metrics that reward them for absolute dominance. Or teams can face the toughest competition they can find and prove themselves that way.
Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway, as he always does, opted for the latter option again. In each of the last three seasons, his teams have ranked among the top 60 in the country in terms of their non-conference schedule. The Tigers will play 13 non-conference games, and all but one have been reported. Considering the 12 known opponents in the 2024-25 season that finished last season in the NET’s top 160, this could be the scariest list yet — even if the 13th game is against Alabama State, Ohio University or Central Arkansas.
Here’s a look at each challenge Memphis will face before AAC play begins (start times and some dates have not been announced).
Missouri
When: November 4th
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Misery. Dennis Gates’ team won just eight games (going 0-fer in the SEC) and finished the season ranked 158th in the NET – the worst NET of any known Memphis opponent this season.
Outlook for 2024-25: Much better. Mizzou added key transfers such as Duke’s Mark Mitchell and Iowa’s Tony Perkins. Gates also returns Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill (among others). Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has Mizzou as the last team in the NCAA tournament in his latest bracketology.
UNLV
When: TBD
Where: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas)
In 2023-24: Not bad. The Runnin’ Rebels were 21-13 and reached the third round of the NIT (the program’s first postseason appearance since 2013) before bowing out against Seton Hall. They finished 76th in the NET, thanks in large part to five Quad 1 wins.
Outlook for 2024-25: Hard to say. Kevin Kruger is back for his fourth season as coach. He returns a leading scorer (Dedan Thomas, though he missed most of the summer with an injury) and a few contributors. He brought in Boise State transfer Jace Whiting. But UNLV isn’t on anyone’s March Madness radar right now.
San Francisco
When: November 21st
Where: Chase Center (in San Francisco)
In 2023-24: Very good, on paper. The Dons ranked 66th in the NET (mostly because they beat bad teams), as 21 of their 22 wins were over Quad 3 or Quad 4 teams. But USF ranked 37th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Outlook for 2024-25: It could be very good. In the third season of his tenure, Chris Gerlufsen returns three of his four leading scorers from last season (Marcus Williams, Malik Thomas and Ndewedo Newbury), and added Kansas State’s 7-footer Carlton Lingur Jr. and Kansas State forward Jason Rivera. from Vanderbilt-Torres. But the Dons aren’t currently part of anyone’s bracketology picture.
Maui Invitation
When: November 25th to 27th
Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)
The perspective: No matter which three teams Memphis faces here (some combination of UConn, North Carolina, Auburn, Michigan State, Iowa State, Dayton or Colorado), it will be as hard-hitting as possible. None of them need any introduction. Every team except Colorado is projected to make the NCAA Tournament — and Colorado made the Sweet 16 in March.
Louisiana Technology
When: December 4th
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Formidable. The Bulldogs beat McNeese State and finished 99th in the NET (albeit with no Quad 1 wins and just one Quad 2 win).
Outlook for 2024-25: It should not be taken lightly. Louisiana Tech returns two starters, including fifth-year center Daniel Batcho, who was selected first-team All-Conference USA last season. The Bulldogs are also Joe Lunardi’s pick to win C-USA.
State of Arkansas
When: December 8
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Tricky. The Red Wolves got hot late, losing to James Madison in the Sun Belt tournament title game.
Outlook for 2024-25: Very different on the surface. Arkansas State revamped most of its roster. Whether this is good or bad for manager Bryan Hodgson remains to be seen.
Clemson
When: December 14th
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson, South Carolina)
In 2023-24: Elite. Brad Brownell took his Tigers (who lost to Hardaway’s Tigers in Memphis) to the Elite Eight, falling to Alabama there.
Outlook for 2024-25: It must be very good. Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter were a big reason why Clemson was so good last season, and they’re back. The Tigers (with five players listed at 6-9 or higher) may also be the biggest team in the country.
Virginia
When: December 18
Where: John Paul Jones Arena (Charlottesville, Virginia)
In 2023-24: Brave as always. The Cavs (who also lost at Memphis last season) finished seventh in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and 54th in the NET.
Outlook for 2024-25: Probably a difficult exit again. Tony Bennett lost some talented players, but kept some (Isaac McKneely and Andrew Rohde) and added some (Duke’s TJ Power and Florida State’s Jalen Warley).
MEMPHIS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE: Tigers add Louisiana Tech to robust non-conference schedule
State of Mississippi
When: December 21
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Lots of sound. Mississippi State won 21 games and reached the Big Dance.
Outlook for 2024-25: High expectations. A strong core (Josh Hubbard and Cam Matthews) returns, and coach Chris Jans went out and landed some strong transfers (Riley Kugel from Florida, Kanye Clary from Penn State, among others). Lunardi projects the Bulldogs as a 6 seed.
old lady
When: December 28th
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Up and down. The Rebels started strong, winning 15 of their first 16 games (including one over Memphis in Oxford). But they went 5-11 after that.
Outlook for 2024-25: Dangerous. Ole Miss brings Matthew Murrell back for another year, and coach Chris Beard has added a number of transfers, including guard Davon Barnes (who Memphis tried to land).
Contact sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on the Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Basketball 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule: A Breakdown
