Memphis basketball, led by coach Penny Hardaway, will participate in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The event is typically held over three days during Thanksgiving week.
Key points
Memphis basketball will play in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis
Event typically held over three days during Thanksgiving week
Specific dates and other teams not yet announced
Memphis will face Dayton on November 29, 2026
Game against Dayton at the United Center in Chicago
Mentioned in this story
Penny HardawayUnited CenterBahamas
Memphis basketballBattle 4 AtlantisDayton
Penny Hardaway, Memphis basketball to play in 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis
Memphis basketball will take part in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas in November, coach Penny Hardaway said during a radio interview on May 8 with Sports 56's Dave Woloshin.
Specific dates have not yet been set, although the event is typically held over three days during the week of Thanksgiving. It is also unclear what other teams will make up the eight-team field, but teams typically play three games.
Hardaway also told Woloshin that Memphis' neutral-site game against Dayton — which was previously announced as part of a scheduling alliance with the Atlantic 10, dubbed the "American-Atlantic 10 Challenge" — will be played at the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 29.
Memphis Tiger Julius Thedford (15) handles the ball against North Texas during a game on Dec. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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
Q&A
When will Memphis basketball play in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis?
Memphis basketball will participate in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis, typically held in November during the week of Thanksgiving.
What teams will compete in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis?
The specific teams for the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis have not yet been announced, but it will feature an eight-team field.
Where is the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis taking place?
The 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis will take place on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
What is the date of Memphis' game against Dayton?
Memphis will play against Dayton on November 29, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago.
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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.
Participating in the Battle 4 Atlantis likely fills 11 of the Tigers' 13 non-conference schedule dates. The other eight non-conference games for 2026-27 that have been previously confirmed include:
Nov. 2: vs. Iowa State (Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
Nov. 7: host VCU
Nov. 15: host Louisville
Nov. 29: vs. Dayton (neutral site, TBD)
Dec. 16: at Texas
TBD: at Baylor
TBD: at Vanderbilt
TBD: host Utah State
"You know me, ever since I’ve stepped on campus … I’ve just went after the heavy hitters," Hardaway said.
The Tigers are very familiar with the Bahamas, as this will mark the program's third trip there in a four-season span. They last took part in the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2024, when they defeated Michigan and Arkansas before falling to Villanova in the title game. Last season, they played in the Baha Mar Championship, losing to Purdue and Wake Forest.
The Tigers are working to put the finishing touches on the 2026-27 roster. Hardaway has filled 13 of 15 spots. He told Woloshin he is looking to sign a big man, adding he expects to hold one spot open.
"One more big is what we’re looking for. Then, we’ll chill and see where that lands us in the future," said Hardaway. "Unless we get an opportunity to sign somebody that we didn’t think we’d have an opportunity to. Like one of these fifth-year guys that a waiver goes through for them and they’re eligible."