Penny Hardaway doesn’t do "easy." If you’ve spent any time looking at the Memphis Tigers basketball schedule, you already know the vibe. It’s a gauntlet. Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, and if you're just now tuning in for the January stretch, you've missed some wild stuff. We aren't talking about a couple of "cupcake" games to pad the record. Penny went out and scheduled Purdue, Baylor, and Louisville.
It’s bold. Maybe too bold? Fans in the 901 have been debating that one at every BBQ joint in town.
Right now, the Tigers are sitting in the thick of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) slate. They just came off a gritty 55-53 win against Temple on January 14. It wasn't pretty. It was ugly, actually. But in the AAC, a win is a win, especially when you’re trying to climb back into the national conversation after some tough non-conference bumps.
The Remaining Memphis Tigers Basketball Schedule: Mark These Dates
If you're trying to clear your calendar, here is the reality of what’s left for the Tigers. No more guessing. These are the games that will determine if Memphis is dancing in March or sweating it out on the bubble.
The end of January is basically a residency at the FedExForum.
- January 18: UTSA comes to town. 5:00 PM. It's Faculty & Staff Appreciation night, but mostly, it’s a game Memphis cannot afford to lose.
- January 21: A quick flight to Tulsa. 7:00 PM on ESPN+. Road games in this league are always trap games.
- January 24: At Wichita State. 3:00 PM. This is a classic rivalry. The Roundhouse is never friendly to the Tigers.
- January 29: Florida Atlantic at home. 7:00 PM. This is the "Coaches vs. Cancer" game. It’s also revenge time after that 89-78 loss in Boca earlier this month.
February gets even weirder. You’ve got a bizarre Valentine’s Day trip to Logan, Utah, to play Utah State. Why? Because Penny likes to keep the NET rankings interesting.
The Brutal February Grind
The schedule doesn't let up. February 1 starts with Tulane at home, followed by a massive "Stripe Out" game against UAB on February 22. That UAB matchup is always personal. Birmingham and Memphis just don't like each other on the hardwood.
- Feb 5: at UAB (The first leg of the rivalry)
- Feb 8: Charlotte at home (Superhero & First Responders Day)
- Feb 12: at North Texas (Denton is a house of horrors for offense)
- Feb 14: at Utah State (The non-conference outlier)
- Feb 19: at South Florida
- Feb 26: Wichita State (Fan Appreciation Night)
Why the Non-Conference Record Matters Now
You can't look at the current Memphis Tigers basketball schedule without acknowledging the scars from November and December. Memphis went to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Championship and ran into a buzzsaw. Losing to Purdue (80-71) and Wake Forest (69-68) in back-to-back days hurt.
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But then, the Baylor game happened.
On December 6, the Tigers pulled off a 78-71 upset against the Bears at the FedExForum. It was a "Blue Out." The energy was electric. That single win is the "get out of jail free" card the Tigers are carrying in their back pocket for the Selection Committee. It proves that when this roster—led by guys like Aaron Bradshaw and Dug McDaniel—clicks, they can beat anyone in the country.
However, the losses to Ole Miss, UNLV, and a blowout at Louisville (99-73) showed the floor is also pretty low. This team is the definition of "mercurial."
Navigating the AAC Tournament and Beyond
Everything leads to Birmingham. The AAC Championship is set for March 11–15 at the Legacy Arena. If Memphis doesn't win the regular-season crown, they’ll likely need a deep run there to secure an at-large bid.
The regular season wraps up with a three-game sprint:
- March 1: at East Carolina
- March 5: South Florida at home (Senior Day)
- March 8: at Tulane
Senior Day is always emotional in Memphis. Sincere Parker is the featured player for that one. Expect a sellout.
How to Watch and Support
If you aren't headed to the FedExForum, you're going to need an ESPN+ subscription and a decent cable package. The Tigers are on national TV 21 times this year. That’s a lot for a "mid-major" conference team. It speaks to the brand Penny has built.
Most of the weeknight AAC games, like the upcoming Tulsa trip, live on ESPN+. The bigger Saturday matchups often flex to ESPN2 or even the main CBS network, like the Baylor game was.
Actionable Insights for Tigers Fans:
- Check the TV listings early: Don't wait until tip-off to realize the game is on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) instead of regular ESPN.
- Watch the NET Rankings: Every time North Texas or Florida Atlantic wins a game, it helps Memphis. You’re rooting for the conference's strength now.
- Focus on the "Quad 1" opportunities: The games against UAB and the road trip to Utah State are the "make or break" moments for the resume.
The path is clear. It's tough, it's loud, and it's quintessentially Memphis. Get your tickets, wear blue, and keep an eye on the turnover margin. That’s usually where the Tigers win or lose.
Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the injury report for Dug McDaniel leading into the UTSA game on January 18. If he’s 100%, the Tigers’ transition game looks completely different. You should also verify any last-minute tip-off changes on the official Tigers Athletics website, as the AAC often adjusts Sunday times for TV windows.