Andrew Pace
The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team has a long history, with the predecessor of the University of Memphis fielding its first basketball team in 1920. The team has had its ups and downs over the years, with notable successes including a 1971 upset over conference rival Louisville and a 1992 NCAA tournament appearance. More recently, the team has faced challenges such as fines and probation for academic fraud and legal troubles for some players. On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies, the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues based in Memphis, moved to the city from Vancouver in 2001 and have had a mixed record. They were initially one of the worst teams in the NBA but improved significantly in the 2010-11 season, reaching the playoffs for the first time. The Grizzlies have since experienced highs and lows, including a return to the playoffs in 2020-21 and an off-court scandal involving star player Ja Morant in 2023.
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What You'll Learn
The Vancouver Grizzlies relocate to Memphis
The Vancouver Grizzlies, a Canadian professional basketball team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, following the 2000-01 season. They were an expansion team that joined the NBA for the 1995-96 season. The Grizzlies applied to the NBA for relocation on March 26, 2001, and it was granted on July 3, with the team being renamed the Memphis Grizzlies.
There were several factors contributing to the Vancouver Grizzlies' relocation to Memphis. One reason was low attendance, as the team's poor performance and the 1998-99 NBA lockout led to a decrease in fan interest. Additionally, a weak Canadian dollar, some U.S. players' reluctance to live in Canada, and weather considerations also played a role. Memphis had previously hosted a major professional basketball team, the Memphis Sounds, in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1970 to 1975, indicating a potential market for the sport in the city.
The Grizzlies' management expected higher local radio and television broadcasting rights in Memphis, and the city lacked other major league teams, which would grant the Grizzlies exclusivity and increased fan and media attention. A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2000 supported this decision, suggesting that small cities often had higher sports attendance due to the team's professional league exclusivity. Tennessee's strong support for college basketball was also a factor considered.
Despite the relocation, the Grizzlies did not immediately see an increase in attendance. It took more than a decade for the Grizzlies to surpass Vancouver-level attendance, finally achieving higher averages during the 2012-13 season. The team celebrated its tenth season in Memphis in 2010-11 and returned to the playoffs for the first time in five years. The Grizzlies became known for their "'Grit and Grind' style of basketball," emphasizing disruptive defense and inside-out offense. They achieved several franchise firsts during the 2011 NBA playoffs, including winning their first playoff game and series.
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Zach Curlin's early coaching tenure
Zach Curlin began coaching the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team in 1924, four years after the team's inception. Curlin's early tenure as coach was marked by a lack of suitable facilities. The team played its home games in a local high school gym, a local YMCA, and an on-campus room called the "Normal Cage," which had very little space between the court lines and the walls.
In 1928, the Tigers joined the Mississippi Valley Conference, and the following year, a new $100,000 facility on campus named Memorial Gym became the team's home. Curlin's coaching tenure extended through this period of growth for the team, and by the time of his last season in 1948, the school had been renamed Memphis State College. Curlin's 24-season coaching career included a stint as the baseball coach for ten seasons, where he posted a record of 48-52-3.
Curlin's successor, McCoy Tarry, took over in 1948. In 1951, a new $700,000 Fieldhouse gym was opened for Tiger home games, and the following year, John Wallesea became the first Memphis State player to be drafted into the NBA. Curlin officially retired from the University of Memphis in 1960 but continued to travel the Mid-South as a football official. His victories remain ranked third all-time among Tiger coaches, a testament to his successful and influential early coaching tenure.
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Moe Iba's disappointing four-year tenure
Moe Iba's four-year tenure as the coach of the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team is considered the lowest point in the program's history. During his time with the team, they suffered 19 and 20 loss seasons before Iba's dismissal in 1970.
Iba became the coach of the Memphis Tigers in 1966, the same year the team joined the Missouri Valley Conference and started playing their home games at the Mid-South Coliseum. Unfortunately, Iba's tenure was marked by consistent losses and disappointment for the team. The Tigers struggled to find their footing under Iba's leadership, and their performance on the court suffered as a result.
During Iba's time as coach, the team's record was dismal, with multiple seasons of 19 and 20 losses. This was a significant decline from the team's previous performance and standing. The exact reasons for the team's struggles during this period are not clear, but it is possible that Iba's coaching strategies and player management played a role.
Following Iba's dismissal, the Tigers quickly turned their fortunes around. In 1970, Gene Bartow was named the new head coach, and the team's performance improved significantly. That same year saw the first games of two all-time greats, Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson. Finch, in particular, made a stunning debut, scoring 24 points in his first appearance as a freshman.
After his dismissal from Memphis State, Moe Iba went on to become an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He later served as the acting and then permanent head coach at Nebraska from 1980 to 1986, achieving some notable successes, including appearances in three National Invitation Tournaments.
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Penny Hardaway's successful college career
Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Memphis Tigers men's team in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Hardaway played college basketball at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) and had a 14-season-long career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
At Treadwell High School, Hardaway averaged 36.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.9 steals, and 2.8 blocks as a senior. He was named Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year and finished his high school career with 3,039 points.
Hardaway had to sit out the 1990-91 season at Memphis State University due to low grades. During this time, he was robbed at gunpoint outside his cousin's house and was shot in the foot by a stray bullet, putting his basketball career in jeopardy. However, he returned to the court and led Memphis State to the 1992 NCAA tournament, where they were defeated in the Elite Eight by rival Cincinnati. Hardaway was named All-American the following summer and earned a chance to train with the Dream Team before the Barcelona Olympics. During the 1992-93 season, he achieved Memphis State's first triple-double and then the first back-to-back triple-doubles in wins over Georgia State and Vanderbilt. On February 6, 1993, the school won its 1,000th basketball game, upsetting No. 4 Cincinnati.
After a successful college career, Hardaway entered the NBA draft in 1993 and was selected third overall by the Golden State Warriors. He went on to become a four-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member as a member of the Orlando Magic. He also played for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat during his 14-year NBA career.
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The Grizzlies' Grit and Grind style
The Memphis Grizzlies, also known locally as the Grizz, are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues based in Memphis.
The Grizzlies' "Grit and Grind" style of basketball emerged in 2010 and became a defining moniker for the team. It encapsulates a hard-nosed and physical approach to the game, characterised by high-pressure defence, clock management on offence, dominance in the paint, and a blue-collar mentality. This style resonated with the city of Memphis, reflecting its hardworking and resilient spirit.
The "Grit and Grind" era was led by iconic players such as Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and Marc Gasol. Randolph's number 50 jersey was retired by the Grizzlies in recognition of his impact on the team's success. Allen's departure in 2017 marked the end of an era, but not before coining the memorable phrase, "All heart. Grit. Grind," which encapsulated the team's spirit.
The Grizzlies' "Grit and Grind" style delivered notable successes. During the 2011 NBA playoffs, they achieved several firsts, including their first playoff game, home playoff game, and playoff series wins. They made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons, a remarkable feat for a small-market team like Memphis. The "Grit and Grind" era peaked in 2017, and despite efforts to remain competitive, the Grizzlies eventually moved on from this style, trading away franchise players like Gasol to usher in a new era.
While the "Grit and Grind" era may have come to an end, it left an indelible mark on the Grizzlies and the city of Memphis. It symbolised a brand of basketball that embodied the grit and determination of the community it represented, earning a special place in the hearts of Memphians and basketball fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team has a long history, with the predecessor of the University of Memphis, West Tennessee State Normal School, first putting a basketball team on the court in 1920. The team has gone through various coaching changes and joined different conferences over the years. They have also experienced success, with players like Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway leading the team to the NCAA tournament in 1992.
The Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and were renamed the Memphis Grizzlies in 2001. The move was made to increase revenue after a prolonged period of poor performance and low attendance in Vancouver.
The 2010-2011 season marked the tenth year of basketball in Memphis. The Grizzlies returned to the postseason and achieved several firsts, including winning their first playoff game and series. They became known for their "Grit and Grind"-style of basketball, characterised by disruptive defense and inside-out offense.
In 2025, the Memphis Tigers basketball program faced several challenges, including fines and probation for academic fraud, legal troubles for players, and the suspension of coach Penny Hardaway. Despite a first-round NCAA Tournament loss, the offseason was noisy and uncertain for the Tigers.
