MEMPHIS - Alabama and Memphis will meet in men's basketball three times over the next three seasons, with two of those games in Memphis.
The deal announced Tuesday starts with an exhibition fundraiser either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 at the FedExForum in Memphis for coronavirus pandemic relief efforts. Then the Tigers would visit the Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa during the 2021-22 season, with the teams playing in Memphis during the 2022-23 season.
"I'm really excited about the game against Alabama this upcoming season," Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said in a news release. "I'm happy to have this series."
Memphis has played the Southeastern Conference program eight times in an all-time series that started in the 1958-59 season, and the Tigers lead 5-3. The teams met most recently in 2017-18, when Alabama won 82-70 at the Veterans Classic in Annapolis, Maryland.
Hardaway, a former All-American and four-time NBA All-Star, is entering his third season as coach at his alma mater. Memphis was 21-10 overall and 10-8 in Conference USA play this past season and is 43-24 overall under Hardaway.
Alabama is entering its second season under Nate Oats, who coached the Tide to a 16-15 record (8-10 SEC) in 2019-20.
AP photo by Brandon Dill / Memphis men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway, right, reacts to a referee's call in the second half of a home game against Tennessee on Dec. 15, 2018.