Penny Hardaway finished his sixth season as the Tigers’ head coach at No. 105 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.
Memphis never finished lower than No. 54 in his first five seasons, and even finished No. 1 in the 2021 campaign that concluded with a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship. Hardaway has always cultivated a defensive-minded approach since beginning his post in 2018. But his 2023-24 squad, which missed the NCAA Tournament despite a 15-2 start, systematically destroyed that identity.
2024-25 will be a make-or-break year for Memphis’ favorite son, so it’s crucial that Hardaway reverts his team back to status quo. And he luckily doesn’t have to look far for players who can make that happen.
Sources tell Bluff City Media that Memphis is seriously involved with North Texas forward Aaron Scott, who entered the transfer portal Monday. The 6-foot-7 junior averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field and 37% from 3-point range for the Mean Green this season. A tenacious defender, Scott also put up 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
The Spring, Texas native made 34 starts for Ross Hodge’s club, which finished its campaign ranked No. 74 overall and No. 54 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. The Mean Green were also the No. 12 scoring defense in the country this year. UNT—the 2023 NIT champion with a sophomore Scott starting in 38 contests—ultimately advanced to the second round of the 2024 tournament before falling at Seton Hall 72-58.
