Memphis basketball is ramping things up as one of the quietest, least turbulent offseasons in recent memory winds down.
The Tigers have two open scrimmages — at Mississippi State (Oct. 23) and at Arkansas (Oct. 28) — on the docket. Those come before the season opener against Iowa State at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Nov. 2).
But there is technically still one more loose end coach Penny Hardaway and the Memphis athletic department is working to tie up in the coming weeks. Serbian big man Nemanja Popović is still awaiting final confirmation from the NCAA on his eligibility status.
Which is the perfect place to start this week's mailbag.
When can we expect an answer on Nemanja Popović? — Jon Mason, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
This isn't the answer anyone wants, but it's the truth: No one knows for sure. Not even the Tigers.
But based on recent conversations I've had with multiple sources within the program, the school's expectation is to have clarity and finality sooner rather than later.
How many other similar decisions is the NCAA deliberating? Is there at least one such case this offseason that has been resolved approving eligibility? — Tom Jennings, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly how many outstanding cases the NCAA is currently processing with circumstances similar to Popović's.
But multiple previously professional international players (who have no prior American collegiate experience) have been granted eligibility by the NCAA. Just in the past couple of weeks, SMU's Jakub Szumert, Arkansas' Miikka Muurinen (Serbia), Florida's Domen Petrovic (Slovenia) and Virginia's Nolan Adekunle (Germany) have all been approved for competition.
Notably, Szumert and Popović both played in the Polish Basketball League last season. In fact, he and Popović both earned first-team all-league honors. Their teams also met seven times last season. And, for no other reason than I find it interesting, Popović averaged 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in those games.
Two things you're most confident in with this team? — Anonymous, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
One: Perimeter shooting will be dramatically improved. Perhaps the best outside-shooting team of the Hardaway era.
The Tigers, with Tyrese Hunter, Colby Rogers, PJ Haggerty and PJ Carter leading the way, shot 37.6% beyond the arc in the 2024-25 season. Then, last season, Memphis shot just 31.6% from deep — the fifth-worst rate for the program since the 3-point line was introduced in college basketball (1986-87).
The expectation is Rihards Vavers (41.2% from 3 last season) and Luke Almodovar (who shot 41.2% in two seasons at Saint Francis before dipping to 31.6% at Southeast Missouri last season) will see a lot of green lights with the Tigers. Others (like Jayden Reid, Brandin Cummings, Tylik Weeks, Jerry Deng and Josh Holloway) also will get a substantial amount of opportunities in situations where coaches are confident they can be successful.
And, two: Reid and Popović.
That's not to say Weeks, Vavers, Cummings, Almodovar, Holloway, Deng, Maxim Logue or Cello Jackson Jr. won't be vital components (or even indispensable). But Reid and Popović are the surest bets on the roster.
Bonus answer: Turnovers are something else that popped up on the radar after The Commercial Appeal sat in on a fully-officiated, 40-minute intrasquad scrimmage on Sept. 26. The Blue and Gray teams combined to commit just 11 turnovers, and that kind of ball security would be a drastic improvement.
Do you still have the same starters in mind that you did before? — Matthew Cobbs, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
I've got Reid, Weeks, Vavers and Popović penciled in.
The last time I was asked about this, I had Logue in and Vavers coming off the bench. I just think Vavers' versatility will be too valuable, and his shooting gives Memphis' offense the ability to start very fast.
The biggest question mark is 2-guard: Cummings or Almodovar? And, right now, it feels too close to call. Both have performed well since fall practice began earlier this month. Almodovar had 21 points in an intrasquad scrimmage on Sept. 26, while Cummings dropped 17. Both players rebounded well enough, kept their teammates involved, and got to the free throw line from time to time.
I don't think there's a wrong choice, though. If Vavers starts, I lean slightly toward Cummings. If it's Logue instead of Vavers, I lean toward Almodovar.
With a seemingly deep team, how much of a role do you seeing the freshmen playing? — Rich Lando, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
I expect all three (Jackson, Fred Smith Jr., and Parker Pounds) will play.
But Jackson is the most likely to be part of the rotation most consistently.
Where is the American Conference Tournament? — Ed McDugle, via Tiger Basketball Insider text group
Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida. March 10-14, 2027.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What about this Memphis basketball team inspires the most confidence, and other burning topics
