The Memphis basketball program learned Tuesday it can officially put the years-long NCAA investigation behind it.

Penny Hardaway and his Tigers, as determined by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, were completely absolved of the most severe allegations, receiving a few minor penalties for lesser infractions. That constituted a massive win for a lot of people.

Who are the biggest winners? Is it possible the delivery of that news will wind up representing a huge springboard into the 2022-23 season for new-look Memphis? How much better off might Hardaway and the Tigers be now that they can turn their full attention toward actual basketball and only actual basketball?

Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz and Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto discuss these things, along with the top storylines as Memphis begins official practices and the excitement surrounding the program now that the IARP is completely in the rear-view mirror on the return of the Tiger Basketball Podcast. 

Memphis basketball's season may have ended, but the news around the program continues all the same. 

The Tigers, whose NCAA Tournament appearance was another positive step for coach Penny Hardaway and his team, have had a bit of a rough offseason thus far. Josh Minott declared for the NBA Draft. Third-year assistant coach Cody Toppert left for LSU. Three players, so far, have entered the transfer portal. And it all comes amid the emergence of new details in Memphis' ongoing NCAA infractions case. 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into all of the above and more. 

The Memphis basketball team's exhilarating stretch run concluded last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The Tigers' appearance in the Big Dance – their first under coach Penny Hardaway and first since 2014 – will have a major impact on the program. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect the numerous benefits it could have. They also discuss Hardaway's growth as coach and detail Memphis' top priorities this offseason. 

Penny Hardaway has gotten the Memphis basketball team to the round of 32 at the NCAA Tournament. 

The Tigers defeated Boise State Thursday at the Moda Center to score the program's first Big Dance victory in eight years. 

On this special edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto break down how Memphis beat the Broncos, highlight Hardaway and Alex Lomax and look ahead to Saturday's marquee matchup (8:40 p.m., TBS) versus Gonzaga, the No. 1 overall seed. 

Memphis, the 9 seed, and Boise State, the 8 seed. 

The Tigers and Broncos are, on paper, at least, as evenly matched as they come. But, should the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee have put two of the hottest teams in the country against one another in the first round? 

In this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto delve into that topic. In addition, they look back at Memphis' AAC Tournament run and discuss how it might affect the team moving forward. Munz and Giannotto also break down the Tigers-Broncos matchup and examine the big picture as it pertains to the program as a whole. 

Memphis polished off a white-hot stretch to end the season by pounding Houston. 

Now, the Tigers head to the AAC Tournament, hoping to carry that momentum with them. 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto recap the scene inside FedExForum during last week's beatdown of Houston, put into perspective how far Memphis has come and examine the team's NCAA Tournament prospects. 

Jalen Duren or Landers Nolley II? 

Coaching or free throw shooting? 

Rallying from behind or winning big? 

The Memphis basketball team's turnaround – winning eight of its last nine games – has been chock full of impressive moments and big-time performances. On this week's Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto dissect some of the more under-appreciated aspects of the hot streak. 

In addition, Munz and Giannotto discuss Memphis' place on the bubble and looks ahead to the Tigers' big games at USF and at home against No. 14 Houston. 

There's a lot riding on the next two weeks for the Memphis basketball team. 

It begins Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN2) when the Tigers welcome Temple to FedExForum. 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto examine what went wrong in Memphis' loss at SMU, preview the upcoming game against the Owls and take a look at where the Tigers are positioned with regard to the big (NCAA Tournament) picture. 

Down the stretch they come. 

Having won six straight – and with five games left in the regular season – the Memphis basketball team has put itself in a position where each game seems to be more important than the one before it. That may not be any truer than Sunday's matchup with SMU (2 p.m., ESPN). 

A win over the Mustangs would do a lot for the Tigers. Let us count the ways. Beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto get into that on this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, while also discussing how Memphis got here and the unique situation it finds itself in with regard to injured freshman Emoni Bates. 

The Memphis basketball team will take momentum built from a four-game winning streak into No. 6 Houston on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC). 

The Tigers aren't an NCAA Tournament team just yet. But the game against the Cougars marks an opportunity for them to prove they are. Which is impressive considering the damage Memphis did to its resumè earlier this season. 

On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, beat writer Jason Munz and columnist Mark Giannotto discuss what has made the team's four-game winning streak so encouraging. They'll also break down the most recent wins over UCF and Tulane before getting into the keys to the contest against Houston and whether Memphis needs to beat the Cougars to get into the NCAA Tournament.