Memphis entered the college basketball season with plenty to prove after a disappointing 13-win campaign. The Tigers wasted no time delivering a statement.
Memphis defeated No. 18 Iowa State 80-76 Monday night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, behind a remarkable late performance from Jayden Reid.
The Northwestern transfer scored 26 points, including Memphis' final 11, to secure one of opening night's biggest upsets. For Penny Hardaway's program, the victory represented an encouraging beginning to a season built around new personnel and renewed expectations.
Reid took over when Memphis needed him
The game remained competitive throughout the evening. Iowa State erased a seven-point deficit late in the second half and tied the score at 69 with 3:15 remaining.
MEMPHIS MAKES A STATEMENT! 🔥 Jayden Reid DROPS 26 POINTS to lead @Memphis_MBB to a HUGE season-opening win over Iowa State! https://t.co/eKhuXCRSmH
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 3, 2026That created an opportunity for the nationally ranked Cyclones to complete the comeback.
Reid refused to let it happen. He scored Memphis' final 11 points, repeatedly delivering when the Tigers needed an offensive answer. His 3-pointer with 38 seconds remaining extended Memphis' advantage to 78-73.
Iowa State could not recover.
Reid finished with 26 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and 12-for-14 at the free-throw line.
Memphis' perimeter shooting made the difference
The Tigers made nine of 20 attempts from 3-point range. Iowa State connected on only four of 20. That difference helped Memphis overcome the Cyclones' advantage in points scored inside.
Luke Almodovar contributed 18 points, while Rihards Vavers added 15.
Iowa State received 19 points from Ryan Prather Jr. and 15 from Dominykas Pleta. But the Cyclones could not consistently match Memphis' outside shooting. The result also ended Iowa State's streak of season-opening victories, marking its first opening-night loss since 2017.
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Hardaway has an early signature win
Memphis was picked to finish near the top of the American Conference despite last season's disappointing record. That projection reflected optimism surrounding the program's rebuilt roster.
Monday's victory provided evidence that the optimism may be justified.
Reid immediately demonstrated that he can handle important late-game possessions. The Tigers also showed enough offensive balance to compete against a nationally ranked opponent.
One victory does not guarantee an NCAA Tournament appearance. But defeating Iowa State provides a meaningful early-season result and an opportunity to build confidence.
Memphis will host VCU on Saturday.
For now, Hardaway's team has already accomplished something that last season's group rarely managed. It defeated a quality opponent in a game that mattered.
And Reid delivered the performance that made it possible.
