The Penny Hardaway era of Memphis basketball has had more than its share of ups and downs.
Just ask Hardaway himself. After making the Men's NCAA Tournament in three of the past four years, the Tigers are enduring a difficult season in which they are 12-14 (7-6 AAC). After their most recent loss, an 87-66 loss to USF that saw Hardaway visibly upset on the sideline at multiple points in the game, he wore his emotions on his sleeve.
"I wanted that game bro," Hardaway said in response to Jason Munz of "The Commercial Appeal," part of the USA TODAY network, before taking a long moment to gather himself. "I just want the game," he added, punctuating with a light knuckle rap on the podium.
When asked how he keeps from entirely falling apart, Hardaway replied: "I'm just gonna keep riding with my guys and believing in God," he said. "That's what I'm gonna do. It's tough. Because we've never been here but... It's not impossible."
This will likely mark the first year Memphis doesn't hit 20 wins under Hardaway, and the second time in three years it won't make the Men's NCAA Tournament (barring, of course, a run in the AAC conference tournament).
Memphis has another game against a very good USF team on March 5 at home, where Hardaway and the Tigers will try to exact some revenge on the Bulls in the penultimate game of their regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Penny Hardaway gives emotional answer after Memphis loses to USF