MEMPHIS, Tenn — Memphis men's basketball remains unranked in the second edition of the AP Top 25 poll this season. Memphis (3-0) received the most amount of votes (159) of unranked teams.
The team does join the USA Today Top 25 for the first time this season, ranked No. 23, after not being ranked the week before. Memphis most recently beat Alabama State, 92-75, November 17.
Memphis was also left out of the Top 25 the previous week after beating Missouri on November 10, 70-55 on the road. However, the Tigers again received the most votes in the country landing just outside the 25 best teams in the country. Memphis won the game in comeback fashion, overcoming a 14-point first half deficit in the win.
The Tigers are also beneficiaries of other teams who dropped out of the Top 25, including previously No. 14 Arkansas (3-1); No. 20 Southern California (3-1); No. 21 Villanova (3-1); No. 24 Saint Mary's (2-3).
Memphis went undefeated while head coach Penny Hardaway served his three game suspension for recruiting violations that occurred in 2021. First year assistant coach Rick Stansbury was acting head coach in Hardaway's stead. The Tigers average 85.3 points per game and shoot 48% from the field.
St. John's transfer David Jones was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll for his part in helping the Tigers to the Alabama State win. Jones put up a double-double, 22 points and 10 rebounds and three steals in the win. He's averaging 15 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to begin the year.
Memphis will travel to the Bahamas for the Battle4Atlantis Tournament in Nassau. The first game will be against Michigan, November 22. It is the first game that Hardaway is eligible to be on the sidelines.