What Penny Hardaway believes is stopping Memphis from hitting its ceiling

Memphis basketball gave coach Penny Hardaway plenty to be thankful for during a dominant 74-58 win over Southern Illinois on Nov. 26 at FedExForum.

The Tigers (2-4) never trailed en route to their first win since Nov. 8. They held the Salukis (3-4) to 25.7 points below what had been their season average. It’s the fewest points a Memphis opponent has scored since Jan. 30, 2025 (a span of 21 games) when Tulane managed just 56.

They got Aaron Bradshaw’s best performance in a Memphis uniform – 14 points, four rebounds and three steals, while committing just three fouls in 17 minutes. They got Hasan Abdul Hakim on the floor for the first time and starting big man Thierno Sylla back on the floor for the first time since Nov. 16.

But Hardaway couldn’t help but come away from the victory with an empty feeling. Because, in his mind, as much as it means to avoid a five-game losing streak (which has not happened at Memphis since the 1999-2000 season) and as many positives as there were, things could be so much better.

“Still got a lot of pressure on ourselves, where we can’t loosen all the way up,” said Hardaway. “We’re not having enough fun right now. It’s just stopping us from being great right now.

“It’s been very difficult this year to try to get the guys to relax. Once we relax, I think things will be so much easier and fall into place.”

Pinpointing the root of the issue is not an easy proposition, Hardaway admits. He believes there are an array factors, both tangible and unseen. Part of it, he posits, stems from outside influences, such as agents, family members and loved ones. Part of it could be the counterproductive side of perfectionism. Part of it might also be some players’ desire to change the narratives that have become attached to them.

Bradshaw, for instance. Once a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, his collegiate career has so far been massively underwhelming.

Or, what about Dug McDaniel. The talented point guard, who has never been to an NCAA tournament, and would love nothing more than to rid himself of the stigma attached.

Zach Davis spent three seasons at South Carolina, but the best one from an individual perspective was also the one the Gamecocks finished in last place in the SEC. Sincere Parker has had on-court success, but he has also had legal trouble (in the form of a July arrest for an alleged domestic assault incident) hanging over his head for months.

Complicating matters, it’s all rubbing off on Hardaway.

“I’m very uptight,” he said. “I’m not as relaxed as I’ve been.”

Perhaps the win over Southern Illinois was a start. The Tigers won’t know for sure until they get back on the court against New Orleans (2-5) on Dec. 3 (7 p.m., ESPN+). But getting his team to embrace the moment and enjoy the journey is Hardaway’s top priority.

“If we could just have more fun – that’s all I want,” he said. “Loosen up. Don’t worry about the losing. Don’t worry about any of that. Just loosen up and understand what we’re trying to do.

“When we start having fun, that’s when the games are going to flow much easier.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Penny Hardaway was left wanting more after Memphis' dominant win