Memphis basketball and UAB engaged in a heated exchange on social media following recent recruiting battles. The rivalry, marked by historical ties, has reignited interest among fans.
Key points
Memphis basketball and UAB exchanged heated comments on social media.
Recent recruiting battles have intensified their rivalry.
The first meeting between Memphis and UAB was on February 4, 1984.
Coach Gene Bartow is a notable figure in the history of both programs.
Mentioned in this story
Gene Bartow
Memphis TigersUAB Blazers
Grab your popcorn. Memphis basketball, UAB get testy on social media
And you thought there was no intrigue left for Memphis basketball in the American Conference.
A couple of recent recruiting head-to-heads between the Tigers and UAB Blazers, followed by a volley of late-evening subtweets on X between members of the respective coaching staffs on May 4, may have dashed that notion.
Memphis and UAB — two programs forever intertwined thanks to several notable figures, including coach Gene Bartow, and whose first meeting took place on Feb. 4, 1984 — are not unfamiliar with drama when it comes to one another.
But the latest chapter was apparently set in motion April 30. That's when South Georgia Technical College 6-foot-11 center Matt Mbole took an official visit to Memphis. He posted photos of himself in a Tigers jersey on social media.
Mbole, the 11th-ranked junior college recruit in the country, according to jucorecruiting.com, then took an official visit to UAB on May 1. He signed with the Blazers on May 3.
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Q&A
What sparked the social media feud between Memphis basketball and UAB?
The feud was sparked by recent recruiting competitions between the two programs, leading to subtweets exchanged by their coaching staffs.
When did Memphis basketball and UAB first compete against each other?
Memphis basketball and UAB first met on February 4, 1984.
Who are notable figures associated with the Memphis and UAB basketball programs?
One notable figure is coach Gene Bartow, who has historical ties to both programs.
What is the significance of the rivalry between Memphis and UAB basketball?
The rivalry is significant due to their intertwined histories and competitive recruiting, which heightens interest among fans.
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Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Washington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Memphis Tigers’ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Briarcrest’s Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
Memphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
Briarcrest’s Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Washington State Cougars forward Rihards Vavers (15) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis Tigers’ William Whorton (12) looks to make a move in the paint against UAB during an American Conference game on Feb. 22, 2025 at the FedexForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Briarcrest’s Fred Smith Jr. smiles after putting on a Memphis Tigers hat and shirt to announce his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Memphis basketball commit Cello Jackson looks on after Fred Smith Jr. announced his commitment to the University of Memphis in the gym at Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., on April 9, 2026.
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Memphis basketball roster 2026-27 for Penny Hardaway after transfer portal additions
Briarcrest’s Parker Pounds (2) shoots the ball during the DII-AA state quarterfinal against Baylor in Eads, Tenn., on February 28, 2026. Briarcrest defeated Baylor 55-53.
In a subsequent interview with The Banner, Mbole directed a bit of shade the Tigers' way.
"I don't think I was going to develop my game and a professional career in Memphis," he said. "Coach AK intends to develop my game over the long term so that I will be able of playing at the professional level after college."
Less than an hour after Mbole's quote appeared on X, Memphis assistant Trevor DeLoach made the following post.
"You can’t believe everything you see on here," the first-year Tigers staffer noted.
Two hours later, first-year Blazers assistant Jesse Bopp seemed to clap back with a cryptic post of his own.
"Relationships still matter," he wrote, punctuating it with a dragon emoji.
Thirty minutes later, UAB head coach Andy Kennedy quote-tweeted his assistant's post with a message of his own.
"Buying Vs Developing #ExceedingExpectations," he wrote.
