He and the undefeated Tigers did just that Monday, dismissing No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime at the Maui Invitational. The few hundred Memphis fans who made the trek and were in attendance at the Lahaina Civic Center let out a room-shaking roar as the final buzzer sounded. They sang “Whoop That Trick” and danced as the Tigers (5-0) stopped by to celebrate with them. Fans on social media were also euphoric.

Hardaway considers the win the biggest of his career. Not because it was against the two-time defending champions. And it wasn’t the justification that followed after some in the national media said Hardaway was in the top spot. The point wasn’t about what a win like this could do for Memphis’ resume in March Madness.

It’s because of what it means in the context of the city he loves so much.

“I don’t take any of this for granted because I know how hard it is to win and especially to beat a team like this, but more than anything I am so excited about our university and the city because we are bringing more positivity need.” ” he said before a room full of media members of all stripes (Memphis, Connecticut, local and national). “We need more of it – this city, the whole city is happy right now, and that makes me happy. So that’s the magnitude of this victory.”