2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
The 2021–22 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Tigers were led by fourth-year head coach Penny Hardaway. The team played their home games at FedExForum as members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 22–11, 13–5 in AAC Play to finish in 3rd place. They defeated UCF and SMU to advance to the championship game of the AAC Tournament where they lost to Houston. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament  as the No. 9 seed in the West Region, where they defeated Boise State in the First Round before losing in the Second Round to Gonzaga. Previous season. The Tigers finished the 2020–21 season 20–8, 11–4 in AAC play, finishing in third place. They entered as the No. 3 seed in the AAC Tournament, where they would lose to No. 2 seed Houston in the semifinals. They were selected as a No. 1 seed in the NIT. The Tigers would go on to win the tournament, their second overall, and first since 2002. Offseason. On June 11, 2021, speculation emerged  that Penny Hardaway was a candidate for multiple head coaching jobs in the NBA including his former team, the Orlando Magic. On June 28, reports emerged that Hardaway had in fact interviewed and emerged as a top candidate for the vacant head coaching job. Two days later, via Instagram, Hardaway confirmed he was not leaving the University of Memphis, and reports emerged that Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown had accepted an offer to be his assistant. 2022 Recruiting class. Preseason. AAC preseason media poll. On October 13, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards Schedule and  results. ! style=| Exhibition ! style=| Non-conference regular season ! style=| AAC regular season ! style=| AAC Tournament ! style=|NCAA Tournament Source Awards and honors. American Athletic Conference honors. All-AAC Freshman Team. Source Rankings. <nowiki>*</nowiki>AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings <nowiki>^</nowiki>Coaches did not release a week 1 poll.