How Memphis plans to move forward after Tyrese Hunter injury: 'The next guy's going to step up'
FORT WORTH, Texas — Memphis basketball beat Tulane on Saturday, but there's plenty of uncertainty for the Tigers because of what appeared to be a serious injury to starting point guard Tyrese Hunter.
Hunter left Memphis' AAC semifinal win over Tulane early in the second half and went back to the Tigers' locker room. He later emerged with a walking boot on his left foot and did not return to the game.
"We don't know what's going on with Tyrese," coach Penny Hardaway said postgame. "So hopefully it's not for the worst."
He's been Memphis' floor general this year and had been a massive part of a team that won the AAC regular season championship and is poised to go back to the NCAA tournament after missing it last season. Hunter, a senior, had previously been a starter at both Iowa State and Texas. He has more NCAA tournament experience than anyone else on the Memphis roster.
The Tigers eked past the Green Wave on Saturday thanks to double-doubles from Dain Dainja and Moussa Cisse and last-minute heroics from PJ Haggerty, who scored 10 points in the game's final 1:03 and created a critical turnover to help the Tigers seal the win. And they did it without Hunter for the final minutes.
"Our team is built one through 13 to be ready to play and be ready for war," Hardaway said. "So when one guy goes down, the next guy's going to step up."
Where Memphis goes without Tyrese Hunter
Hunter came in to Saturday's game averaging 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season. His impact goes well beyond those stats, too — he's been Memphis' floor general this season and has come up with critical shots down the stretch throughout the year, from wins over UConn and Michigan State in the Maui Invitational to Friday's AAC quarterfinal win over Wichita State.
The Tigers were already shorthanded at guard because Dante Harris suffered an ankle injury on March 4 and has not played since. Freshman guard Jared Harris has played sparingly this season, but he could be called into action moving forward if Hardaway runs out of options.
Hardaway can also shake some lineups around and lean more on PJ Haggerty as a primary ball-handler. That could mean more minutes for PJ Carter, too. Carter scored nine points in 23 minutes on Saturday.
Another obvious candidate for more minutes is guard Baraka Okojie, who played 17 minutes in Saturday's game and has impressed at times this season with his defense. He scored two points on Friday.
Assuming Hunter — who left the court on Saturday on crutches — can't play on Sunday, Carter or Okojie would be the two clear options to replace him in the starting lineup. Neither has started a game for the Tigers this season.
"Obviously, the concern is foul trouble," Hardaway said. "If you get into foul trouble, who do you go to? But at the end of the day, we have other guys that can substitute in and play the point guard. We're well-equipped. Dain can bring the ball up the floor and run the offense through the five-out. We'll make the adjustments, and the guys that are on the bench are going to be ready to play."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Penny Hardaway said about Tyrese Hunter's injury after AAC semifinal
Topics
-
Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant added to injury report ahead of game vs Miami Heat
Ja Morant was added to the Memphis Grizzlies injury report ahead of Saturday's game.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Clemson basketball's Dillon Hunter is out indefinitely with broken right hand
Dillon Hunter is out indefinitely with a right hand injury suffered vs SMU. Here’s the latest on his injury and his status for the ACC tournament.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Full injury report for Tyrese Maxey, Sixers vs. Pacers in return home
Here is the full injury report for Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the Indiana Pacers in their return home on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Full injury report for Tyrese Maxey, Sixers vs. Mavericks on the road
Here is the full injury report for Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
How Chase Hunter's late-game heroics lifted Clemson basketball passed SMU in ACC tournament
Chase Hunter scored 15 of Clemson's 29 second-half points to help the Tigers survive SMU in the ACC tournament. Here's how the star guard did it.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
PJ Haggerty scores 42 for Memphis after coach Penny Hardaway told standout guard he had to produce
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway was speaking from experience with his message to standout guard PJ Haggerty before the start of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. "When you’re the man and ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Dillon Hunter injury update: Clemson basketball guard injures right hand vs SMU in ACC tournament
Dillon Hunter suffered a right hand injury in the final seconds of the first half vs SMU. He returned to the starting lineup in the ACC tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Alabama forward Derrion Reid discusses return from injury
Alabama forward Derrion Reid returned to the floor Friday night after missing his last six games due to injury.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Nick Nurse provides injury update on Tyrese Maxey after loss to Pacers
Coach Nick Nurse gives an update on Tyrese Maxey after the Philadelphia 76ers fall to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Where Penn State basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Penn State basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Where Alabama basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Alabama basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Steelers fans may be surprised over PFF's recent free agency grades
PFF recently released their grades for the 2025 free agency signings. The Steelers were given a generous grade.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
What channel is Tennessee basketball vs Florida in SEC Tournament on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game
What channel is the Tennessee basketball vs Florida SEC Tournament game on today? Here's how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Carabao Cup final predictions – can Newcastle end trophy drought vs Liverpool?
Holders Liverpool will take on Newcastle United at Wembley in the League Cup final on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 23m
More in Sports
-
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 18m -
Tracking NFL free agency: Live updates on every signing, trade, cut and rumor
We're following every NFL free agency move, with updates on Jordan Mason and Kyle Juszczyk.ESPN - 20m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 20m -
Where Penn State basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Penn State basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Where Alabama basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Alabama basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 21m