Underscoring what transpired at Memphis was the timing. The matter flared up almost immediately on the heels of Virginia coach Tony Bennett’s abrupt retirement. Bennett stepped down late last week and cited “the current environment” as his primary motivation.

Now in year seven as head coach at Memphis Penny Hardaway is used to putting out fires in the Tigers program. The earlier the better for Memphis. Thursday morning Hardaway cleared the air on the reports that Tyreek Smith took a few personal days away from the team,

Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway addressed forward Tyreek Smith’s return and presented an injury report prior to the Tigers’ preseason game against Alabama.

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway made his first public comments Thursday about Tyreek Smith taking a couple days away from the team