Penny’s Back‑to‑Back Triple‑Doubles Make Memphis State History

Quick Facts

• Dates: January 4 and January 6, 1993
• Matchups: Memphis State vs. Georgia State (Jan. 4); Memphis State vs. No. 18 Vanderbilt (Jan. 6)
• Location: The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee
• Key Figure: Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (Memphis State guard)
• Verified Stat Lines: 21 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists vs. Georgia State; 26 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Vanderbilt
• Head Coach: Larry Finch

Main Story

During the first week of 1993, Memphis State’s Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway delivered a two‑game stretch unmatched in Tiger men’s basketball history. On January 4, 1993, Hardaway recorded the program’s first-ever triple‑double with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists against Georgia State. Two nights later, on January 6, he followed with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over 18th‑ranked Vanderbilt—back‑to‑back triple‑doubles at The Pyramid. University archives and contemporary wire reports confirm both performances and their sequence, marking a pivotal chapter in Memphis history and college basketball lore.

Those games encapsulated Hardaway’s all‑around impact for Memphis State (now the University of Memphis) under head coach Larry Finch. The wins helped steady the Tigers in a challenging stretch of the Great Midwest Conference era, with Hardaway’s versatility energizing fans from Beale Street to neighborhoods across the city. Just three days later, he poured in 35 points in a double‑overtime road win at DePaul, with national outlets noting he had triple‑doubles in each of his previous two games.

Legacy

Hardaway remains the only player in program history credited with two career triple‑doubles, and his January 1993 feats are still a benchmark for Tiger guards. The performances strengthened the bond between a homegrown star and his hometown, shaping how the 901 remembers the early‑’90s Tigers and reinforcing the city’s identity as a cradle of elite basketball talent. His No. 25 jersey was retired the following year, further cementing the legacy of a Bluff City icon in the university’s record book and in Memphis culture.

Keywords: Memphis history, 901, Beale Street, Bluff City.

https://gotigersgo.com/news/2009/1/6/Memphis_Basketball_Notes, https://gotigersgo.com/news/1999/10/18/Tiger_Basketball_History_II, https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/01/09/Anfernee-Hardaway-scored-7-of-his-35-points-in/1217726555600/, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/memphis/men/1993-schedule.html, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/vanderbilt/men/1993-schedule.html, https://gotigersgo.com/staff-directory/penny-hardaway/359