Penny Hardaway explains why it's been quieter around Memphis basketball this preseason

Memphis basketball star Kendric Davis has not practiced this week, coach Penny Hardaway said Friday.

The preseason All-American and defending AAC Player of the Year, Davis sat out the Tigers’ exhibition game against Lane College last week after tweaking an ankle in a practice leading up to the victory. In the team’s first exhibition game, a win over Christian Brothers, Davis scored 22 points and finished with six assists.

But Hardaway has no doubts about Davis’ availability for Memphis’ regular-season opener at Vanderbilt (7 p.m, Monday, SEC Network+).

“Kendric is doing much better. I don’t think his status is in question at all for Monday,” said Hardaway. “We wouldn’t be able to hold him out of that game. He will probably try to practice (Saturday) or Sunday, but he looks good over on the sideline.”

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One player whose status remains in limbo is guard Damaria Franklin. The former UIC star is a two-time transfer. His eligibility is still on hold after UIC’s refusal to sign a “no participation opportunity” form. Memphis made its formal request for a mental health waiver to the NCAA this week on Franklin’s behalf. But Hardaway isn’t confident the matter will be resolved in time for Monday’s tip-off.

“As sad as it is, I don’t want to say it can’t happen before the game, but we’re preparing without him,” said Hardaway. “He’s still in practice and we’re trying to tell him, ‘Hey, man, anything can happen. Stay locked in.’ But, right now, it’s not looking good (for Monday).”

Larry Brown, the Hall of Fame coach who is a special advisor to Hardaway this season, missed last week’s game against Lane College due to a health matter the athletic department labeled as “minor.” Hardaway doesn’t expect Brown will be on the bench for the game against the Commodores but said he is improving.

“He’s actually doing better. He had a scare, obviously,” said Hardaway. “We’re waiting to see when he’s going to be returning.”

Aside from injury and eligibility issues, Memphis’ preseason has featured a substantially different tone than previous ones under Hardaway. The Tigers, with Hardaway at the helm, have often generated palpable buzz in the community and nationally. Recruiting has had a lot to do with that, as Memphis signed the No. 1 recruiting classes twice during a three-year stretch, luring high-profile prospects like James Wiseman, Precious Achiuwa, Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren to the Mid-South.

This offseason, Hardaway went about building his roster much differently, leaning heavily on the transfer portal to add pieces.

Memphis also opted to put Memphis Madness, the school’s large-scale preseason pep rally, on ice for the first time in several years in favor of the Memphis Basketball Block Party – a free, on-campus, family-friendly event. The Tigers’ annual pro day, normally open to the media, was closed this year, as well.

Hardaway admits the more subdued approach is partially by design.

“I think you can say that,” he said, adding he’s “hoping” for a return of Memphis Madness in the future. “But we’re going about our business quietly and trying to carry a big stick. We know what we have to do. We know you have to win. And this team is just trying to come in this year and prove ourselves instead of just talking too much about it.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball: Penny Hardaway updates Kendric Davis' status