Yes, I know, I know, it’s just Week II of football season.

I understand opening tipoff isn’t for another couple of months.

But, in my neck of the woods, oh I needn’t explain. Hoops is ever on our minds.

So, it was of major interest when I learned yesterday morning of the weirdness attendant in the Land o’ Fed Ex. (UPS is way better, right. Right!)

For those too young to know, once upon a time Memphis State was the archest of rivals.

Oh, those battles in the 70s against the Tigers. Keith Lee. Baskerville Holmes. Andre Turnover.

Obviously not so much anymore, U of L having moved up the food chain to the ACC, while Memphis State is mired in the AAC, is it?

I’m also cognizant of the reality that my school is the only ever to be shorn officially of its title banner. Those down in western Tennessee might have 706 Union Ave on their resumé, but despite every effort have hung no b-ball natties.

(Besides, the whole title removal thing is a shuck. Who among us resided in a dorm our freshman year, inexperienced in ways of the flesh, wouldn’t have savored a visit by some ladies of the evening?)

But I digress.

Satchmo, kick it:

Legit or not, schadenfreude ensued when reading about Penny Hardaway’s troubles in TigerLand.

Yesterday, just weeks before the beginning of official practice, the Tiger coach/ legend fired four assistants. Rick Stansbury, Faragi Phillips, Jamie Rosser and Demetrius Dyson. No reason was given.

As if there hadn’t already been staff turnover.

Five other staff members had already left the program since last campaign’s closing buzzer. Andy Borman, Darby Rich, Garrett Kelly, Jeremy Kipness, and Andy Pennington.

Ten players shipped out, from what ought to be a stable program.

Folks apparently weren’t getting along. That’s some sort of churn.

So, there’s that turmoil.

Beyond that, reports then started emerging — first by Pat Forde — about an anonymous letter, alleging significant recruiting and eligibility infractions. Which has been received by the school, and turned it over to the NCAA.

How can you violate recruiting rules in these daze of the Wild Wild West?

Well, it seems by paying a recruit $60 large out of school petty cash. When simply having your collective do it would have been totally above board. Got some malfeasance goin’ on down there.

Eligibility issues? Really.

So, suppose I should be ashamed of myself. People in glass houses and all that.

But I’ll own that the whole travail makes me a might giddy. If you remember how we savored beating Dana Kirk, or were in Nashville for the playoff in ’73, you’ll understand.

And, here’s the kicker. The what goes around comes around info.

It’s reported that one of the replacement hires on Hardaway’s staff is a journeyman coach, the fellow who replaced Bobby Knight, Mike Davis.

Another name being floated about for the staff rings a bell.

Nolan Smith.

— c d kaplan