Penny takes issue with 'low class' comments by Tennessee's Barnes

Rick Barnes' 8-1 Tennessee squad may have handed Memphis a 102-92 loss on their home court on Saturday, but first-year Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway has had the final word so far.

After a contentious end to the game, Hardaway said that several Volunteers players approached Memphis' bench "with their fists balled," according to the Knoxville News Sentinel's Mike Wilson. Barnes then went on a radio show Monday night and poked fun at Hardaway's assertion.

"If you just watch the film, I'm not making anything up," Hardaway said Tuesday, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Drew Hill. "I don't know who Rick Barnes thinks I am, but I'm not a dude that likes to just mess around about anything. I just call it like I see it. No matter how he's trying to make things seem, and I think it's kind of low class how he's trying to downgrade my guys for flopping and all that. Man, come on, give me a break."

Hardaway added that his recent edge in attracting big-name recruits - including top-ranked high school prospect James Wiseman - could've played a role in Barnes' response.

Regardless of the root of the issue, Hardaway knows the two in-state rivals will eventually meet again.

"He can do whatever he wants to do, but we'll see each other out on the road somewhere or in another game."