How new Memphis basketball players bonded over thirst for vengeance from March Madness loss vs FAU
It began as a formal news conference with Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Joe Cooper after the Memphis basketball team’s encouraging 76-52 win over Charlotte Wednesday.
It ended as an informal (and endearing) mini-Q&A between Tomlin and Cooper. The two newest Tigers – one a 6-foot-10 star forward from Harlem, New York, the other a 6-1 walk-on point guard from Memphis – on a roster replete with new Tigers realized in real time that they have more in common than they thought.
The media session was winding down and the focus had turned from how Memphis mauled Charlotte to the upcoming matchup with FAU. The Tigers (19-8, 8-6 AAC) will host the Owls (20-6, 10-3) on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN) at FedExForum. It will be a rematch of a first-round NCAA tournament game that took place in Columbus, Ohio, last March, when FAU upset Memphis in dramatic (and, arguably, controversial) fashion. It also will be a rematch of sorts for Tomlin.
The Owls’ Cinderella Final Four run last season not only ended the Tigers’ season. It also spoiled Kansas State’s storybook March Madness success by beating the Wildcats in the Elite Eight. Tomlin, who transferred to Memphis in December, was a member of that Kansas State team.
The symmetry is not lost on Tomlin.
“You know, I guess everybody – well, mostly Malcolm (Dandridge) and Jayden (Hardaway) – that was on this team last year, they’ve got their energy towards (FAU),” he began. “I’ve got my energy towards them. So, I feel like we’re going to go out there and play hard.”
That’s when Cooper interjected.
“I think it’s personal for me, too, I’m not gonna lie,” he said.
Tomlin turned to his teammate.
“Why?” he asked genuinely.
“’Cause I’m from here,” said Cooper.
Tomlin smiled and nodded.
Cooper might be in his first season with the Tigers. But the former junior college star at Northwest Mississippi was raised on Tigers basketball. His stepfather, Rodney Newsom, starred at Memphis where he was teammates with the program’s current head coach, Penny Hardaway, from 1992 to 1996.
The self-assured Cooper has waited patiently for his opportunity. He was academically ineligible until January. Even then, Cooper remained on the end of the bench. But, when Memphis was getting shellacked at SMU last week, Hardaway decided it was time to reward Cooper for his hard work and dedication. He played 10 minutes and had two assists and two steals.
So, it should not have come as a surprise that Cooper was back on the floor Wednesday against Charlotte. In nine minutes, he drilled a 3-pointer and had three rebounds and an assist.
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Cooper’s play, perseverance and swagger -- “I don’t look at myself as a walk-on, to be honest. I know I’m talented,” he said -- is already resonating with Memphis fans.
“Give the kid a scholarship and let him be a dawg!” Richard Coleman posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Cooper has one season of eligibility remaining. But he is focused only on the here and now – which happens to be a marquee matinee versus FAU.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball out for vengeance over NCAA Tournament loss to FAU
