How to watch Memphis’ first game of the season against No. 18 Iowa State

Penny Hardaway and the Tigers get the 2026-27 season started tonight in a neutral-site game against Iowa State. Hardaway always schedules tough non-conference opponents, and the Cyclones will be the first of several ranked Power Four opponents on Memphis’ schedule.

Iowa State lost its top two leading scorers from last season, and TJ Otzelberger thought he would lose his third-leading scorer before Tamin Lipsey decided to come back for his fifth year of eligibility.

Lipsey, part of the class of 2022 players, missed both of the exhibitions, but after the after the Indiana Court of Appeals denied the NCAA’s request for an expedited review, the guard will be eligible this season. Lipsey is a four-year starter, and he averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 34 games last year.

Otzelberger added five transfers this offseason, including two four-stars, and wing Leon Bond III is an intriguing addition from Northern Iowa. Bond averaged 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds last year for the Panthers, and he returns to the high-major ranks after starting his career at Virginia.

After a Sweet 16 run last year, the Cyclones start the season at No. 18, and they will play in the Players Era Championship later this month in Las Vegas.

Here’s a look at how to watch the Tigers’ first game against Iowa State:

TV: FS1

Stream: FOX One

Radio: 98.9 The Roar of Memphis

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Line: Memphis -14.5

Total: 155.5

What to watch for in Memphis’ first game against the Cyclones:

The biggest question will be the status of Nemanja Popović. The Serbian was granted eligibility after he sits during a six-game “withholding period,” but the Tigers have appealed that decision.

Hardaway said last week that it would be an expedited decision and the hope was to get a response by Friday, but as of this morning, there has been no public indication that a decision has been made.

Popović looked like the best player on the team in both exhibitions, and the Tigers could struggle without him on the court. The bigger question will be what Hardaway does if the big man isn’t available.

Hardaway has said that FAU transfer Maxim Logue will start for Popović if he isn’t available, but he played only 12 minutes in the two exhibitions.

Turnovers killed the Tigers in their exhibition against Arkansas, and they can’t commit that many turnovers in the season-opener tonight, especially some of the careless and lazy turnovers. Memphis has 13 new players on the roster, and it’s easy to understand that it could take some time for everyone get get on the same page for every possession.

Hardaway has already given his team some challenges by playing road exhibitions against a pair of SEC programs, and it will be interesting to see how the team plays on a neutral site.