Tag: Memphis

Santiago Aldama talks contract extension, new coach, and more

Santiago Aldama, the Memphis Grizzlies’ versatile forward, has taken a significant leap in his fourth NBA season, embracing a larger role and showcasing his dynamic skillset as he nears restricted free agency. Standing at 6-foot-11, Aldama has …

Santiago Aldama, the Memphis Grizzlies’ versatile forward, has taken a significant leap in his fourth NBA season, embracing a larger role and showcasing his dynamic skillset as he nears restricted free agency. Standing at 6-foot-11, Aldama has thrived with increased offensive freedom, often playing as a hybrid forward or even a wing despite his near-seven-foot frame.

In a recent interview with HoopsHype, Aldama discussed his journey, the impact of international play, and the coaching shift to Tuomas Iisalo.

Lady Vols win at Memphis to remain undefeated

Lady Vols win against Memphis at FedEx Forum.

No. 16 Tennessee (9-0) defeated Memphis (2-8), 90-75, on Wednesday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll.

Jewel Spear and Zee Spearman led the Lady Vols in scoring with 18 points. Talaysia Cooper (12), Tess Darby (12), Samara Spencer (12) and Ruby Whitehorn (10) also scored 10-plus points for Tennessee.

Spearman (12) and Cooper (11) were Tennessee’s leading rebounders. The duo also finished with the most assists, recording six each.

10 Lady Vol players appeared in the game at Memphis.

Tennessee totaled 26 bench points, 38 points in the paint, 20 points off turnovers, 23 second chance points and 10 fast break points.

The Lady Vols will next play Richmond on Friday in the West Palm Beach Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EST..

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell through the years

Chris Day/USA TODAY Network

Lady Vols’ all time basketball results against Memphis

All time results in the basketball series between the Lady Vols and Memphis.

No. 16 Tennessee (8-0) will play Memphis (2-7) on Wednesday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Tipoff between the Lady Vols and Tigers is slated for 8:30 p.m. EST and ESPNEWS will televise the in-state contest.

Wednesday will mark the 29th meeting between the two in-state opponents. Tennessee leads the all time series, 27-1, and has won 20 consecutive games in the series dating to 1974.

Memphis recorded its lone victory during the 1978-79 season, defeating the Lady Vols, 79-75, in Memphis. The reams last played during the 2023-24 season in Knoxville. The Lady Vols won, 84-74.

The two in-state opponents have also played games in Cookeville, Martin and Johnson City, Tennessee.

Lady Vols’ all time basketball results against Memphis

1974: Tennessee 57, Memphis 50

1974: Tennessee 52, Memphis 44

1975-76: Tennessee 71, Memphis 69 (OT)

1976-77:  Tennessee 82, Memphis 72

1976-77: Tennessee 81, Memphis 71

1977-78: Tennessee 89, Memphis 77

1977-78: Tennessee 87, Memphis 76

1978-79: Memphis 79, Tennessee 75

1979-80: Tennessee 86, Memphis 48

1981-82: Tennessee 78, Memphis 63

1985-86: Tennessee 94, Memphis 79

1986-87: Tennessee 91, Memphis 81

1987-88: Tennessee 97, Memphis 73

1988-89: Tennessee 85, Memphis 50

1989-90: Tennessee 88, Memphis 69

1990-91: Tennessee 93, Memphis 46

1991-92; Tennessee 118, Memphis 39

1992-93: Tennessee 90, Memphis 46

1993-94: Tennessee 79, Memphis 65

1994-95: Tennessee 95, Memphis 66

1995-96: Tennessee 84, Memphis 63

1996-97: Tennessee 79, Memphis 63

1997-98: Tennessee 91, Memphis 65

1998-99: Tennessee 113,Memphis 39

1999-2000: Tennessee 92, Memphis 69

2001-02: Tennessee 92, Memphis 66

2023-24: Tennessee 84, Memphis 74

Dalton Knecht returns to Tennessee and makes first start

Dalton Knecht makes first professional start in return to Tennessee.

In his return to Tennessee, former Vol Dalton Knecht made his first NBA start for the Lakers.

He totaled three points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal in the Lakers,’ 131-114, loss to Memphis at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Knecht played 27 minutes against the Grizzlies. He converted 1-of-7 three-point attempts.

He was selected in the first-round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles.

Knecht, a transfer from Northern Colorado, played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.

Knecht was the 2024 SEC Player and SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was a consensus All-America standout and earned the Julius Erving Award.

PHOTOS: Dalton Knecht through the years

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Tyreek Smith entered transfer portal for 4th time just hours before Memphis’ season began

His next school would become the fifth for Smith.

Senior forward Tyreek Smith will not play college basketball for the Memphis Tigers, who begin their season at 8:00 p.m on Monday.

Just hours before the NCAA men’s basketball season tips off, Smith reportedly entered the transfer portal. The redshirt senior now looks to play for his fifth collegiate program, although he never actually playing a regular season game for the Tigers.

Smith has previously played for SMU, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech.

There were some concerns raised on social media about “broken promises” between the university and Smith as it resolved NIL-related issues. This was a decision reportedly made on Saturday, two days before the season began.

Smith played in one of the Memphis exhibition games before the season began, though he later requested some personal time away from the team.

He also missed time during the preseason due to an ankle injury and wore a brace on his right foot.

The senior remains eligible to play for a new program once the fall semester ends in December, per Commercial Appeal. But finding a fifth school to take a chance on him could prove difficult at this point.

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2024-25 Memphis Grizzlies: A quick preview

With a healthy Ja Morant returning and key pieces like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies have the talent to make noise. They also added 7-foot-4 rookie Zach Edey, who should take pressure off Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. However, …

With a healthy Ja Morant returning and key pieces like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies have the talent to make noise. They also added 7-foot-4 rookie Zach Edey, who should take pressure off Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. However, despite these positives, it’s unclear if this bounce-back season will push them to the top of the standings again. The Western Conference is as stacked as ever, and securing a top seed might be a stretch.

The Grizzlies have a strong defensive core, with Jackson Jr. just a season removed from being Defensive Player of the Year, and Smart, another former DPOY, bringing more grit to the backcourt. Bane is evolving into one of the best three-point shooters in the league, and if he stays healthy, his shooting and playmaking could make a huge difference. Memphis also has a solid rotation of role players like Luke Kennard, who was the second-best three-point shooter last season, and versatile young talent in Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, and Brandon Clarke.

Lady Vols defeat No. 5 Memphis for sixth consecutive shutout

Tennessee soccer defeats No. 5 ranked Memphis for sixth consecutive shutout.

Tennessee (5-1-1) defeated No. 5 Memphis (5-1-0), 1-0, Thursday at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The match between the two in-state schools was scoreless at halftime. The Lady Vols led, 1-0, after Macaira Midgley scored an unassisted goal in the 48th minute.

The Tigers outshot Tennessee, 9-4, and Memphis had two of its scoring chances land on goal. All four of the Lady Vols’ shots were on target.

Thursday’s match marked the sixth consecutive shutout for Tennessee. The Lady Vols last shut out six consecutive opponents in 2021.

Tennessee has not allowed a goal since losing its season opener at Indiana, 1-0,  Aug. 15.

The Lady Vols will next play Ole Miss at home on Sept. 19 to open Southeastern Conference play.

https://twitter.com/Vol_Soccer/status/1834398272645202396

Collin Morikawa’s wife will run a marathon, but he’s trying to make birdies for St. Jude Hospital

“We’re going to be doing as much as we can throughout these playoffs and the next couple of months to help out some great kids.”

MEMPHIS – In the heat of the FedEx Cup Playoff race, Collin Morikawa is staying true to the principles of the PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Championship’s title sponsors.

Morikawa has pledged to donate $1,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for every birdie he makes throughout the three-event playoffs. During Thursday’s first round at TPC Southwind, he recorded five birdies.

FedEx St. Jude: Photos 

For Morikawa, who is part of the golf apparel company TaylorMade’s team of professionals, it’s the continuation of a commitment to St. Jude that he shares with his wife.

“My wife is going to be running the New York Marathon, and we’re going to be trying to raise as much money as we can for St. Jude, so that’s her charity beneficiary for the marathon,” Morikawa said. “I think everything that’s piling on, it’s all coming together, whether it’s FedEx and TaylorMade, St. Jude, ourselves, and my family.

“We’re going to be doing as much as we can throughout these playoffs and the next couple of months to help out some great kids.”

FedEx teamed with TaylorMade to create a custom playoff-themed golf bag that Morikawa showcased Wednesday. The bag is crafted with upcycled FedEx packaging materials and TaylorMade golf gloves. Along with his birdie pledge, Morikawa will use the bag during all three FedExCup Playoffs events.

FedEx is also matching Morikawa’s $1,000 donation to St. Jude for every birdie or better that he achieves while using the bag throughout the playoffs.

“A really special bag. Really cool,” he said Wednesday. “It’s obviously very meaningful, not only how it’s built. You have recycled gloves on the side, recycled materials. Someone said there’s a part of a FedEx truck in it.”

Morikawa, fourth in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings with 2,456 points, finished Thursday’s first round at 2-under-par 68. He finished his second round Friday at 1 under, shooting a 71 with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15.

@joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com, or via X @JCrawford5656

Mike Norvell’s road woes vs. ranked teams good omen for Notre Dame

Too soon to chalk up the Florida State game as a win?

One of Notre Dame’s most anticipated games in 2024 will be when it hosts Florida State on Nov. 9. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 to begin the season, and it’s seen as one of the few games on the schedule that could give the Irish trouble. At least that’s the sentiment right now.

But are the Seminoles as much of a threat to the Irish as they’re being made out to be? CFB Kings pulled up Mike Norvell’s history against ranked opponents on the road going back to his first head coaching gig at Memphis. If this is to be believed, the Irish stand a very good chance at emerging from that game victorious:

All of a sudden, the pressure on the Irish to win this game just became greater. They definitely don’t want to be the team that let Norvell end this drought. Regardless, they will prepare for this game they would against any other ranked opponent, history be damned. Irish fans should be appreciative of that at least.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Who’s responsible for the ‘Hush Y’all’ paddles that Memphis is known for? Truth be told, it was borrowed

The FedEx St. Jude Championship has put its own signature spin on the tradition.

The “Hush Y’all” paddles are back.

With the return of the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week at TPC Southwind – the PGA Tour event that kicks off the FedEx Cup Playoffs – one of the most visible stamps that makes it so uniquely Memphis will once again be on full display.

Rather than the customary “Quiet Please” signs that most golf tournaments employ as either a subtle reminder or a not-so-subtle reprimand for spectators, the FedEx St. Jude Championship has put its own signature spin on the tradition.

Who do we have to thank for it? Dwight Drinkard had only recently become the tournament’s first full-time tournament director – when it was known as the Federal Express St. Jude Classic. It was high time to make the conversion from wooden paddles to something lighter, and it was the perfect time to add some Southern flair to them.

Drinkard, who died on Aug. 5, seized on the opportunity.

“It all started with him,” said Jack Sammons, the FedEx St. Jude Championship’s general chairman. “That thing has just snowballed and become this thing that’s talked about throughout the PGA Tour. I give Dwight 100% of the credit for that.”

But even Drinkard admitted it wasn’t an original idea. In 2019, he told The Commercial Appeal he was inspired by the Atlanta Classic, which also bandied about “Hush Y’all” paddles. But even the Atlanta Classic borrowed the idea from a golf tournament in Jamaica that went with “Hush Mon!”

The ‘Hush Y’all’ signs got a makeover at the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational and were spotted on every corner of TPC Southwind during the first round of the tournament. (Photo: Brandon Dahlberg / For CommercialAppeal.com)

“It was endemic to our Southern way of doing things and we became more known for it than Atlanta,” Drinkard told The Commercial Appeal in 2019.

While it has become so popular at the FedEx St. Jude Championship that the paddles are even sold at the merchandise tent behind the 18th green – along with “Hush Y’all” hats, T-shirts and other swag – it was a hot-ticket item dating all the way back to their inception.

When Sammons became general chairman in 2010, merchandise branding was being updated as the tournament went from the St. Jude Classic to the FedEx St. Jude Classic. That included the “Hush Y’all” paddles.

“The good people that make the golf shafts (TrueTemper), they donated these golf shafts with grips so that our marshals could hold the signs up,” said Sammons. “At the end of every day, when they were to turn them in, if they took 500 of ‘em, 250 would come back.

“That told me, one, we had some folks that had a little bit of larceny in ‘em and, two, it told me it was such a popular souvenir that people were willing to pilfer them. That spoke volumes to me.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.