The game that never quite aligned for the Memphis Tigers slipped away in the final seconds Sunday afternoon, adding another layer of frustration to a season still searching for rhythm.
Tulane’s Rowan Brumbaugh buried a driving layup with six seconds left, handing Memphis a 78–76 loss inside FedExForum and snapping the Tigers’ 18-game home winning streak against American Athletic Conference opponents. The defeat pushed Memphis to 10–11 overall and 5–4 in the league, while Tulane — which entered on a five-game skid — improved to 13–9 and 4–5.
For most of the afternoon, the Tigers fought uphill. They trailed for more than 35 minutes, spending long stretches trying to chip away while Tulane repeatedly answered. But with the game knotted at 76 following a driving jumper from Dug McDaniel, Memphis seemed poised to pull off a late escape. Instead, the Green Wave executed out of a timeout, setting up Brumbaugh’s go-ahead bucket, and the Tigers never got off a final shot before the horn sounded.
A Game Defined By Missed Chances
For all the late drama, this one came down to Memphis’ inability to seize its opportunities earlier. The Tigers shot just 35.7 percent from the field (20-of-56) and 20 percent from beyond the arc (4-of-20), the latest in a string of cold shooting nights that have become all too familiar.
They found their saving grace at the foul line, converting 32 of 38 attempts — their most free throws made in a game since 2018. That aggressiveness kept the score manageable long enough to make a fourth-quarter push.
Aaron Bradshaw anchored the interior with 12 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, while McDaniel added 13 points, four assists, and four steals. Julius Thedford scored 12, and Quante Berry chipped in 11 points and four boards. Bench contributions from Sincere Parker and Zach Davis rounded out a balanced effort that lacked only one thing: finishing.
“It’s frustrating because the effort’s there,” said head coach Penny Hardaway. “We’re competing, we’re defending, but we’ve got to capitalize — it’s about finishing plays, finishing possessions.”
Tulane Finds Its Groove
Tulane, meanwhile, looked like a team intent on erasing its recent struggles. Brumbaugh, the AAC Preseason Player of the Year, led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including the decisive basket. Backcourt mate Asher Woods added 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Green Wave shot an even 50 percent from the floor, knocked down 10 three-pointers, and moved the ball with rhythm that Memphis couldn’t consistently disrupt. Despite being outrebounded 40–25 — including a lopsided 16–4 on the offensive glass — Tulane made up for it with timely shot-making and patience.
That combination proved just enough to spoil an otherwise gritty home stand for the Tigers.
Where The Tigers Stand Now
At 10–11, Memphis sits at a crossroads that feels uncomfortably unfamiliar in the Hardaway era. The Tigers have shown flashes of cohesion and grit, particularly in close games at home, but consistency remains elusive. Shooting woes have plagued them since December, and while defensive energy hasn’t waned, the inability to convert open looks continues to turn winnable nights into nail-biters — or losses.
Still, there are reasons for optimism. Bradshaw has developed a steady interior presence, McDaniel’s leadership at point guard has given the offense structure, and younger contributors like Berry and Davis are beginning to carve out roles. Hardaway has also leaned more into defensive identity and rebounding, both of which have helped the Tigers stay competitive despite offensive inconsistencies.
Thursday night’s trip to UAB, followed by a Sunday visit from conference-leading Charlotte, could tell the story of the rest of Memphis’ season. A strong showing across that stretch could put the Tigers right back in the thick of the AAC race; another setback, though, might accelerate pressure heading into February.
A Familiar Challenge For Penny Hardaway
This is far from the first time Hardaway has faced turbulence in a season. In each of his previous campaigns, his Tigers have rebounded from rough midyear stretches — often finding a late surge that steadied the program and reignited belief. That history matters now more than ever.
The calls for adjustment are growing louder, but so too is a sense of perspective. Hardaway, in his sixth season, has guided Memphis through NCAA tournaments, national spotlights, roster overhauls, and unprecedented eras of change in college basketball. The foundation he built — one focused on pride, passion, and community connection — remains strong.
Still, this latest stumble underscores the fine line between a season that turns the corner and one that quietly slips away. With a critical stretch looming, Hardaway faces the challenge of sparking renewed confidence in a team that shows promise but not yet polish.
There’s no question Memphis has the pieces to climb back into contention. The question now is whether those pieces can come together in time.
Because if history holds true, February has been when Penny Hardaway teams rediscover themselves. And if that pattern repeats — even cautiously — hope may yet return to FedExForum just as quickly as it faded on Sunday afternoon.
