Memphis center Malcolm Dandridge is not expected to be available against Florida Atlantic on Sunday, multiple sources tell Hitmen Hoops and Bluff City Media.
The fifth-year senior averages 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. The 6’9 big man, who has played a key role as a physical presence on the interior, has made 19 starts for the Tigers. Memphis will have to play without one of its most consistent performers and vocal leaders in their biggest game of the season to date.
The Tigers take on Florida Atlantic (21-6, 11-3 AAC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. inside the FedExForum. ESPN will have coverage of the matchup.
Why Dandridge is Out
Malcolm Dandridge is allegedly involved in an academic scandal, sources tell Hitmen Hoops and Bluff City Media. Memphis’ compliance department is investigating the situation, which relates to this academic semester. Presently, Dandridge is the only player involved in the investigation. Furthermore, no Tigers’ coaching staff members are associated with the situation.
Earlier this week, the compliance department reportedly informed Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway and his staff of the investigation into the academic scandal. The staff has been compliant in the early stages of the investigation thus far. Sources say that the reason for Dandridge’s absence on Sunday is not related to grade issues.
Memphis’ athletic department and the men’s basketball program are currently handling this matter internally. Consequently, the NCAA is not yet involved with this investigation.
Penny Hardaway’s History With Investigations
This academic scandal could become the third significant investigation that Penny Hardaway has been involved with in his time with Memphis.
In 2019, the NCAA investigated the program when Memphis played five-star recruit James Wiseman despite eligibility issues. The NCAA advised Memphis not to play him soon after opening the investigation. In October 2022, the Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) charged the program with three years of probation and no postseason ban.
In 2022, Hardaway and a former assistant illegally visited a Texas high school recruit. This visit resulted in a suspension for the first three games of the 2023-24 season. The recruiting violation also earned Memphis a fourth year of probation.
Memphis’ New Rotation
Penny Hardaway has likely learned his lesson from not sitting James Wiseman when the NCAA advised him to in 2019. For that reason, it seems logical for Malcolm Dandridge not to be available for the Tigers for the remainder of the season.
His absence will likely insert Jordan Brown back into the starting lineup. The fifth-year senior center and Louisiana transfer missed Memphis’ game against Charlotte due to an undisclosed injury. He is also questionable for Sunday’s contest, per Penny Hardaway. Brown has played in 13 games this season and has made five starts. They are 7-6 with him in the lineup and 12-2 without him.
Penny Hardaway opted for a new starting lineup on Wednesday, which ended up being successful in a win over Charlotte. With the traditional backcourt of Jahvon Quinerly and David Jones, Hardaway turned to a three-big lineup that included Nae’Qwan Tomlin at the three, Nick Jourdain at the four, and Dandridge at the five. With Dandridge expected to be out on Sunday, Hardaway could again insert Brown as the starting center.
The Stretch Run
Down the season’s stretch run, Memphis needs Jordan Brown to step up in a big way. Dandridge was a solid presence on both ends of the court and was valuable from a leadership standpoint.
With four games remaining in the season, it remains improbable that the Tigers will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They likely need to win the AAC Tournament to earn a spot in March Madness.
The absence of Malcolm Dandridge changes the equation for a Memphis team that has seen players enter and exit the lineup all season long. In a season filled with ups and downs, will the Tigers thrive in the chaos? Or will they crumble in the face of adversity? Only time will tell on that front, but regardless, the ramifications of this investigation could mean another wild summer to come for the Memphis basketball program.
More information is to come on this story.
