Memphis distributing 7,500 Hardaway bobbleheads Saturday By Jonah Jordan

The first 7,500 spectators entering FedExForum for Saturday afternoon’s University of Memphis game will received a Penny Hardaway bobblehead – the university’s latest promotion as fans return to games under the lure of the Tigers’ new coach. 

The university unveiled the giveaway Wednesday afternoon – a change from other promotions this season, in which the items were not announced until shortly before fans began arriving at the arena.

FedExForum doors open at 11 a.m. This is the first event where fans will be greeted with a Hardaway bobblehead. Head coach Mike Norvell bobbles were given out earlier this year at his weekly radio show. 

Memphis (4-4) takes on a UAB (6-2) team that defeated the Tigers in Birmingham last season. The Tigers had dropped three of their previous four before recording an 88-80 win over South Dakota State on Tuesday night. 

The bobbleheads are courtesy of Regional One Health. Memphis has distributed penny cardboard cutouts, car flags and Memphis Tiger fedoras this season. 

Attendance has skyrocketed with Hardaway as head coach. The last two home games the Tigers announced an attendance of 14,656 and 13,583.