Tigers Tip Off 2026-27 Campaign with Home Contests Against LeMoyne-Owen, Middle Tennessee

Monday, November 2

Memphis, Tenn.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

LeMoyne-Owen

Nov 01, 2026 | Women's Basketball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team will open its 2026-27 campaign with a pair of home contests this week, welcoming LeMoyne-Owen on Monday, Nov. 2, before hosting Middle Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 6. Both games are scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The Tigers enter a new era under first-year head coach Hana Haden, who takes the reins of a Memphis squad featuring four returners and eight newcomers.

Memphis welcomes back guards Daejah Richmond and Jordan Hunter, along with forwards Tamya Smith and Bailey Gilmore. Richmond returns after leading the Tigers in scoring last season, while Smith led the team in rebounding.

Haden bolstered the roster through the transfer portal with the additions of Anjanae Richardson, Khyra Garrett, Tierney Kelsey, Lily Melton, Ainaya Williams, Seda Gabrielyan and Destiny Thomas. Freshman Aubrey Hampton rounds out the eight newcomers.

Game One: LeMoyne-Owen

The Hana Haden era officially gets underway Monday night when Memphis welcomes Division II LeMoyne-Owen to Elma Roane Fieldhouse for a 6 p.m. tipoff.

The Tigers enter the season with a 24-20 record in season openers and will look to improve that mark to 25-20 on Monday. Memphis has found success in recent opening contests, winning 11 of its last 15 season debuts.

Monday's matchup will mark just the second all-time meeting between the Tigers and Magicians, with the lone previous contest dating back to the 1976-77 season. Memphis earned a commanding 106-50 victory in that meeting, one of 43 games in program history in which the Tigers have reached the 100-point mark.

LeMoyne-Owen enters its second season under head coach Kimberley Anderson, who guided the Magicians to a 3-24 record in her first year at the helm.

The Magicians' roster features three Memphis natives in juniors Jamaiya Hasley and Layla Hampton and senior Serena Lee.

Game Two: Middle Tennessee

Memphis will return to the hardwood Friday night for another 6 p.m. tipoff, this time welcoming Middle Tennessee to Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

The Blue Raiders are coming off a 17-16 campaign in 2025-26, including an 11-7 mark in Conference USA play. Middle Tennessee earned a postseason berth in the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).

Friday's contest will renew a series that Middle Tennessee leads 12-5 all-time. The Tigers will look to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Blue Raiders and claim their first victory in the series since March 11, 1999, when Memphis earned a 71-61 home win.

Middle Tennessee enters the season under first-year head coach Matt Insell, who returns to his alma mater after previously serving five seasons as head coach at Ole Miss.

Insell previously spent eight seasons on the Blue Raiders' coaching staff, helping the program make three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Memphis women's basketball season are on sale now and can be purchased here.

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