For a brief moment Thursday night in Denton, it looked like Memphis might finally flip the script. The Tigers jumped ahead 8-0, hit early threes, moved the ball, and played with the kind of energy that led fans to believe something had changed. But by the final buzzer, as North Texas closed with a dominant 14-2 run to steal a 76-69 win, it became painfully clear — this is just Memphis being Memphis in 2026.
It’s the same story that’s played out far too often this season. A fast start, a mid-game lull, and a brutal finish when poise and execution matter most. For a program that still touts big-time swagger and NBA pedigree, the product on the floor keeps rewriting that identity with sloppy turnovers, stalled offense, and missed opportunities. Penny Hardaway’s team is now a dead-even 12-12 overall, and somehow that record feels merciful.
Another Collapse, Another Missed Message
Once again, the Tigers had everything going their way early. Julius Thedford and Curtis Givens III opened the game with back-to-back threes. Aaron Bradshaw looked sharp inside. The ball moved, the bench was engaged, and it felt like maybe — just maybe — Memphis had turned a corner after two straight American Athletic wins.
But the cracks showed quickly. North Texas started living at the free-throw line, and Memphis simply couldn’t match the physicality or focus. By halftime, the Mean Green had already attempted 14 free throws to the Tigers’ three. Disjointed possessions turned into rushed shots, the rotations looked hesitant, and once the inevitable scoring drought arrived, it stretched longer than any Memphis fan should have patience for.
Still, Memphis found a spark. Sincere Parker, who’s been one of the few consistent bright spots lately, went off for 18 of his 20 points in the second half. His burst keyed a 16-3 run that flipped a 52-44 deficit into a 60-55 lead, and for a few loud minutes in The Super Pit, the Tigers looked alive again.
Then came the collapse.
From the 5:12 mark onward, Memphis didn’t make a single field goal. Not one. They watched North Texas outscore them 14-2 down the stretch, and were bullied again at the free-throw line, as the Mean Green shot 31-for-41 compared to Memphis’ 13 attempts. That’s not bad luck — that’s lack of discipline, lack of composure, and lack of the killer instinct big-time programs are built on.
Identity Without Accountability
The numbers tell a story Memphis fans have already memorized: 16 turnovers turned into 28 North Texas points. The Tigers got out-rebounded 36-30, including second-chance boards that sparked key momentum swings. Only one Memphis player grabbed more than five rebounds. Eleven assists total — not even close to enough ball movement from a team that claims to thrive in transition.
At some point, the excuses run thin. Penny Hardaway has had a roster full of talent. He’s shuffled lineups, adjusted systems, and talked accountability. But the product hasn’t changed — not this season, not in the clutch, not when the game matters most. Memphis still looks like a team that can punch first but can’t punch last.
Sincere Parker continues to do his part. Thedford gives solid energy. Givens and Bradshaw have their moments. But the collective identity? It’s inconsistent at best and self-destructive at worst. This loss doesn’t define Memphis — it just confirms who they are right now: a middle-of-the-pack team pretending to be something bigger.
And that’s the real frustration. Because deep down, everyone around this program knows the ceiling should be higher. But until Memphis figures out how to close, how to finish possessions without gifting momentum and whistles to the other bench, this season will keep circling the same drain.
Next up is Utah State — a tough road trip, on Valentine’s Day, no less. But unless Memphis falls in love with accountability, energy, and execution, it won’t matter who’s on the schedule.
Because right now, Memphis basketball is beating itself. Again.
