TO CLOSE

In the first match of the Penny Hardaway regular season in Memphis, the Tigers defeated Tennessee Tech on Tuesday.
Jason Munz, Miss Southern Sports Writer

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Kyvon Davenport faces Tennessee Tech defenseman Micaiah Henry in front of the Tennessee Tech defenseman at the FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.(Photo: Mark Weber, The commercial call)Buy a photo

Kyvon Davenport is a quiet guy.

Too calm, if you ask his freshman Penny Hardaway. But that was about the only problem anyone in the Memphis basketball team could get out of the senior team after the 76-61 win over Tennessee Tech at the opening of the season.

Davenport scored 30 points and scored 10 rebounds, the highest number on his team. For good measure, he also concocted a pair of flights and committed only one ride. Tiger's performance in the second year was an asset for a team that could have used a little more.

It's also the kind of game that Hardaway and Memphis expect to get more and more from Davenport.

"We know it's a double-double machine," Hardaway said. "Maybe not 30 and 10, but we know he'll sit on the floor and take care of his things. But we need him more vocally, to be more of a leader. We are going to need that from him all year long. "

Striker Kyvon Davenport (center) of Memphis is the victim of a foul as he was rolling against Tennessee Tech defender Courtney Alexander II (left), during the action FedExForum Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goaltender Alex Lomax (left) goes to the basket against Tennessee Tech defender Johnnie Vassar (right) during a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Tyler Harris (left) takes a shot at Tennessee Tech defenseman Jr. Clay (right) at the Memphis Tenn FedExForum action on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Kareem Brewton Jr. (center) passes the Tennessee Tech defense in action at the Memphis Tenn FedExForum., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Jeremiah Martin (right) battles Tennessee Tech defenseman Courtney Alexander II (left) for a rebound at a FedExForum action in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Jeremiah Martin led the way against the Tennessee Tech defense in a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker David Wingett (center) scored three points against the Tennessee Tech defense at the FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway, in action against Tennessee Tech at FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goaltender, Jeremiah Martin (top), is fighting for a dubble against the Tennessee Tech defense during a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis defenseman Alex Lomax (top), blocks the shot of Tennessee technical guard, Jr. Clay (bottom) during action at FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis defenseman Tyler Harris (right) tries to steal the ball from Tennessee Tech goalkeeper Jared Sherfield (left) at the Memphis Tenn. FedExForum action, Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Victor Enoh (left) blocks Tennessee technical guard Jr. Clay's shot (right) during the FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis defender Raynere Thornton (left) applies defensive pressure against Tennessee Tech striker Courtney Alexander II (right) during the FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis fans cheer, while Penny Hardaway comparative posters appear before tackling Tennessee Tech at FedExForum at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Kyvon Davenport faces Tennessee Tech defenseman Micaiah Henry in front of the Tennessee Tech defenseman at the FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Raynere Thornton (left) leads defenseman Tennessee Tech defenseman Garrett Golday (left) at the FedExForum action in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Jeremiah Martin led the way against the Tennessee Tech defense in a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Kyvon Davenport (center) faces Tennessee Tech defenseman, Johnnie Vassar (left), for a rebound at action at the Memphis Tenn. FedExForum, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis, Tennessee Tech, in action at FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis striker Raynere Thornton (right) leads Hunter Hunter Hunter Vick (left) of Tennessee Tech in a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Jeremiah Martin led the way against the Tennessee Tech defense in a FedExForum action at Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Memphis goalkeeper Jeremiah Martin (right) leads defenseman Hunter Vick (left), Tennessee Tech defenseman, in action at the FedExForum in Memphis Tenn., Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Assistant Coach Tony Madlock greets Memphis Head Coach Penny Hardaway (right), before tackling Tennessee Tech at the Memphis Tenn FedExForum., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.

Buy a photo

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next

Davenport needed a few minutes to warm up. He did not score until the match was almost six minutes old. But he reminded people that he had the talent to take over. His first bucket triggered a race in which he scored eight of the Tigers' next 14 points. Later in the first half, Davenport scored nine points in a row, allowing Memphis to lead 46-29.

"Every day after training, every time we have a day off, I work all the time," he said. "I'm working on my shot and my game. I think my teammates have done a good job today. They have me a lot. I was just kicking. "

His compatriot Jeremiah Martin added 18 points. Their contributions masked some notable gaps.

"Our seniors have stabilized us," said Hardaway.

Davenport thinks that the solution to their opening problems is simple.

"We all have to play together," he said. "We have to hold ourselves accountable and work together. It's essential. That's really what will help us the most. "

ANALYSIS: Memphis 76, Tennessee Tech 61: Penny Hardaway Wins First Regular Season Win As Tigers Coach

Giannotto: Penny Hardaway debuts as a coach and feels again at Memphis Basketball