CLEMSON — Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway had nothing but praise for No. 16 Clemson after an 87-82 win Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Hardaway is no stranger to the Clemson team. Last year, Memphis handed Clemson a narrow 79-77 loss at FedEx Forum in Memphis. The loss was Clemson’s first of the season in 2023-’24.

One year later, Hardaway, a former four-time NBA All-Star, came prepared to face a revenge-seeking Clemson team. Specifically, he came prepared to face veteran forward Ian Schieffelin.

“Last year, playing against PJ [Hall] and Ian were the two hardest bigs we ever played against because they know how to duck in,” Hardaway said. “They turn and duck into a rebounding position. So we knew this, if we hadn’t played them last year, there’s no way you can just see it. But to be in that game last year and understand who it is, you go, hey man if you don’t match his energy he’s going to destroy you.”

The former Orlando Magic point guard also complimented the defensive discipline of Clemson head coach Brad Brownell’s squad.

“Clemson does a great job of confusing you because they’re in the gaps and they rotate out to the three-point line really well, and when you beat that guy the next guy comes. They do a great job,” Hardaway said.

In his five years at the helm at Memphis, Hardaway has led his team to five consecutive 20-win seasons and appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2023.

This year, Memphis (8-2) upset UConn, the reigning National Champion, in the Maui Invitational Tournament, and has now taken down a 9-2 Clemson team.

Despite the win over UConn, Hardaway considers the win over Clemson to be the biggest victory of the season so far because Memphis was coming off a loss to Arkansas State, and Clemson is “one of the hottest teams in the country.”

“This is what the non-conference schedule is all about, for us to be able to play great teams,” he said.

Memphis and Clemson both have experience this season with tightly-contested non-conference games. The Clemson Tigers have a chance to secure their final win before ACC play is in full swing this Tuesday, when they take on rival South Carolina (7 p.m., SECN).