There is more than one way to achieve NET glory.
Teams can either schedule a string of cupcake opponents and bank on the metrics rewarding them for sheer domination. Or, teams can load up on the stiffest competition they can find and prove their worth that way.
Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway, as he has been wont to do, has opted for the latter again. Each of the past three seasons, his teams have ranked in the top 60 in the nation in non-conference strength of schedule. The Tigers will play 13 non-conference games, and all but one have been reported. Considering each one of the 12 known opponents on the 2024-25 docket finished last season in the top 160 in the NET, this could be the most daunting slate yet − whether the 13th game is against Oklahoma State, Ohio University or Ouachita Baptist.
Here is a look at each challenge Memphis will face before AAC play begins (tip-off times and some dates have not been announced).
Missouri
When: Nov. 4
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Misery. Dennis Gates' team won just eight games (going 0-fer in the SEC) and finished the season No. 158 in the NET − the worst NET of any of Memphis' known opponents this season.
2024-25 outlook: So much better. Mizzou added key transfers like Duke's Mark Mitchell and Iowa's Tony Perkins. Gates also returns Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill (among others). CBS Sports' Jerry Palm has Mizzou as the last team in the NCAA tournament field in his most recent bracketology.
UNLV
When: Nov. 9
Where: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas)
In 2023-24: Not bad. The Runnin' Rebels were 21-13 and reached the third round of the NIT (the program's first postseason appearance since 2013) before bowing out versus Seton Hall. They finished 76th in the NET, thanks in large part to five Quad 1 wins.
2024-25 outlook: Tough to say. Kevin Kruger is back for his fourth season as coach. He returns leading scorer (Dedan Thomas, although, he has missed most of the summer nursing an injury) and a few contributors. He brought in Boise State transfer Jace Whiting. But UNLV is not on anyone's March Madness radar at present.
San Francisco
When: Nov. 21
Where: Chase Center (in San Francisco)
In 2023-24: Pretty good, on paper. The Dons were No. 66 in the NET (mainly because they trounced bad teams), as 21 of their 22 wins were over Quad 3 or Quad 4 teams. But USF was 37th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency.
2024-25 outlook: Could be very good. In the third season of his tenure, Chris Gerlufsen returns three of his top four scorers from last season (Marcus Williams, Malik Thomas and Ndewedo Newbury), and he has added Kansas State 7-footer Carlton Linguard Jr. and Vanderbilt wing Jason Rivera-Torres. But the Dons are not currently part of anyone's bracketology picture.
Maui Invitational
When: Nov. 25-27
Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)
The outlook: No matter which three teams Memphis faces here (some combination of UConn, North Carolina, Auburn, Michigan State, Iowa State, Dayton or Colorado), it will be as bruising as it gets. None of them need any introduction. Every team except Colorado is a projected NCAA Tournament team − and Colorado got to the Sweet 16 back in March.
Louisiana Tech
When: Dec. 4
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Formidable. The Bulldogs beat McNeese State and finished No. 99 in the NET (albeit, with no Quad 1 wins and only the one Quad 2 win).
2024-25 outlook: Not to be taken lightly. Louisiana Tech returns two starters, including fifth-year center Daniel Batcho, who was a first-team all-Conference USA selection last season. The Bulldogs are also Joe Lunardi's pick to win C-USA.
Arkansas State
When: Dec. 8
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Pesky. The Red Wolves got hot late, losing to James Madison in the Sun Belt tournament title game.
2024-25 outlook: Very different on the surface. Arkansas State has revamped the majority of its roster. Whether that's good or bad for coach Bryan Hodgson remains to be seen.
Clemson
When: Dec. 14
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson, South Carolina)
In 2023-24: Elite. Brad Brownell got his Tigers (who lost to Hardaway's Tigers in Memphis) to the Elite Eight, falling to Alabama there.
2024-25 outlook: Should be very good. Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter were big reasons Clemson was so good last season, and they're back. The Tigers (with five players listed 6-9 or taller) might also be the biggest team in the country.
Virginia
When: Dec. 18
Where: John Paul Jones Arena (Charlottesville, Virginia)
In 2023-24: Gritty as ever. The Cavs (who also lost in Memphis last season) finished seventh in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and 54th in the NET.
2024-25 outlook: Probably a tough out again. Tony Bennett lost some talented players, but he retained some (Isaac McKneely and Andrew Rohde) and added some (Duke's TJ Power and Florida State's Jalen Warley).
MEMPHIS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE:Tigers add Louisiana Tech to stout non-conference schedule
Mississippi State
When: Dec. 21
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Very sound. Mississippi State won 21 games and got to the Big Dance.
2024-25 outlook: High expectations. A strong nucleus (Josh Hubbard and Cam Matthews) returns, and coach Chris Jans went out and got some strong transfers (Florida's Riley Kugel, Penn State's Kanye Clary, among others). Lunardi projects the Bulldogs as a 6 seed.
Ole Miss
When: Dec. 28
Where: FedExForum
In 2023-24: Up and down. The Rebels started strong, winning 15 of their first 16 games (including one over Memphis in Oxford). But they went 5-11 after that.
2024-25 outlook: Dangerous. Ole Miss brings Matthew Murrell back for another year, and coach Chris Beard added a host of transfers, including guard Davon Barnes (who Memphis tried to land).
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.comorfollow him@munzlyon X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
