Memphis Basketball Announces Exhibition Schedule
The University of Memphis will open its non‑conference slate with two high‑profile exhibition matchups, hosting Mississippi State on October 23 at FedExForum before traveling to take on Arkansas on October 29. Both games are part of a coordinated pod that will also see the Tigers meet Iowa State in a neutral‑site contest in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on November 2.
Arkansas arrives in Memphis after a breakout season that saw the Razorbacks finish 28‑9 and reach the Sweet 16, while Mississippi State looks to rebound from a 2025‑26 regular‑season victory over the Tigers. The Tigers will navigate a total of 14 non‑conference games, complementing an 18‑game American Conference schedule.
Head coach Penny Hardaway, who has guided the program since 2013, emphasized the importance of testing the team against varied competition. “These games give us a chance to fine‑tune our rotations and build chemistry before the real grind begins,” he said.
The upcoming pod also includes a home game against a Power 4 opponent that the program is actively trying to lock in, while the remaining non‑conference fixtures are expected to be against lower‑tier teams on the Tigers’ home court.
A Look at the Opponents
Mississippi State University, a member of the Southeastern Conference, brings a recent history of competitive play that includes a regular‑season win over Memphis in 2025‑26. The University of Arkansas, another SEC powerhouse, will test the Tigers on the road, while the University of Memphis will host the neutral‑site showdown with Iowa State in Sioux Falls, a city that will also serve as an early‑season benchmark for the squad.