Episode list

The Memphis Tigers mantra, "All The Smoke" is more than a mindset, it's a movement that embodies the gritty hard-nosed outlook of the city's team. In this premiere episode Memphis Madness officially kicks off the program's much hyped 2019-2020 season.

With a highly-touted roster of one-and-done players, the Tigers host a pro day workout for the team in front of nearly 100 NBA scouts. And in a shocking revelation just ahead of the team's second game of the season, No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2019 class, James Wiseman, receives news that the NCAA has ruled him ineligible calling into question his status for the rest of the season.

Hours before tip-off of his second collegiate game, the projected top pick in June's NBA draft, James Wiseman is declared ineligible by the NCAA. In the moments and days that follow, the Memphis Tigers become embroiled in an unprecedented stand-off with the NCAA. Despite the ruling and Wiseman's pending lawsuit against the NCAA, the Memphis Tigers play the freshman vs. the Oregon Ducks. From when Head Coach, Penny Hardaway was a two-time All American at Memphis to his view and others of the organization today, we explore the shifting perspectives of the NCAA.

The James Wiseman and NCAA saga continues. After defying the NCAA's initial ineligibility ruling by playing in the Oregon game, James decides to drop his lawsuit and accept the ruling while the University negotiates the penalty with the NCAA. Back in Memphis, Penny must find a way to move forward without his star center and keep the team away from all the outside noise and focused on an upcoming game. We examine how Penny and his approach to teaching differs from other programs and coaches, replacing an old school mentality with a modern holistic, all encompassing strategy.

Memphis is one of the most culturally relevant cities in America, from its influence on music, food, and art; and as an epicenter during the civil rights movement, Memphis' history is American history. Coach Penny and half of the team's players are from Memphis and its surrounding areas. We'll discover what growing up and living in the Bluff City is like as we visit players' homes and Coach Penny's old neighborhood.

Former college stars like Zion Williamson and others have developed massive social followings before they've even made it to the NBA. For this team, how do the Tigers' players think about building their own brand in an age where their currency is determined by the box score as well as their likes? And with a roster of one-and-done players, how does one of the most marketable athletes from his era, Coach Hardaway speak with his players about the business side of basketball at the next level.

"We wanted the college experience to be more like the NBA experience because those are the type of guys we're recruiting." Head Coach, Penny Hardaway shares the lens through which he and his staff have built the Tigers basketball program. Including strength and conditioning, nutrition, physical therapy, FedEx arena, and as a Nike Elite program, Memphis invests significant resources to support athletes maximize their potential.

As student athletes, the players have incredibly dense schedules and habituated routines. From class, homework, and tutoring, to practice, workouts, physical therapy, studying game film, and traveling. The season is grueling, rote, and intense, but this is what's required to succeed and matriculate to the next level, where preparation only intensifies. We'll follow Freshman Guard, Lester Quinones through a single day and explore the habits and routines it takes to thrive in this environment.

Through the relationship of Coach Hardaway and his son, Jayden a redshirt freshman for the Tigers, we see that Penny and his staff are far more than their titles, but are also fathers and mentors for one of the youngest teams in college basketball.

In 2011, Penny took over for his late friend Desmond Merriweather as a coach for his middle school alma mater, Lester Middle School, while Merriweather was undergoing treatment for colon cancer. This season is the culmination of what was started all those years ago. Alex Lomax who was part of that Lester middle school team has emerged as a leader for the Tigers. With the loss of James Wiseman, Alex and this Memphis team will have to dig deep in order to make it to the postseason.

With a regular season record of 21-10, Memphis' March Madness dreams are on the brink as they begin their conference tournament in Houston, Texas. Outside of basketball, bigger questions loom as the threat of the COVID-19 virus begins to shutdown sporting events across the country. Less than a day after it was announced that spectators would not be permitted in the arena, on March 12th just hours before tip-off of their opening round game, Head Coach, Penny Hardaway shared the news that their conference tournament was cancelled. And two hours later as Memphis was flying back to Tennessee the NCAA made it official - for the first time since 1939 there would not be a March Madness as well. In real-time viewers will see a historic portrait of the college sports season ending through the lens of the Memphis Tigers as they navigate the early days of an unprecedented pandemic.

Five months ago Memphis had started the year nationally ranked for the first time since 2013. The hype of the number one recruiting class in the country led by top prospect, James Wiseman had created national title expectations in Bluff City. Now sports had come to an unimaginable stop and along with it the Tigers' postseason hopes from the Coronavirus pandemic. Less than 24 hours after the NCAA officially canceled March Madness for the first time in the tournament's history, Memphis players returned to campus to clean out their lockers and meet with the coaching staff one final time before the offseason. Questions of what could have been and unfulfilled potential fill the air. And while the team reflects on the past, there is much to do in the present. For AAC Player of the Year and top-15 projected draft pick, Precious Achiuwa, will he come back as a Sophomore or will he declare for the NBA? While there is much that's uncertain in this new reality, what is true, the Tigers' resilience navigating the ups and downs of this season has built a strong foundation that has Memphis poised for success in the year to come.