DeAndre Williams was aware of the criticism.
As the most experienced player on the team, hearing head coach Penny Hardaway's comments to the media following an early-season loss to Georgia was beyond eye-opening.
“I want to see the veterans really feel like I feel right now," Hardaway told the media in December of 2021. "I question if the veterans from last year, do they really hurt after these two losses?”
Williams didn't have to ask Hardaway who he was referencing.
"He challenged me for sure," Williams says, reflecting on the ups and downs of the 2021-2022 campaign. "He challenged me every day because he knows that I should be a leader and one of the best guys on the team."
"(Hardaway) doesn't like me coming in, having bad days. He says he's the coach so he can't come in and have a bad day, so I can't either."
The advice stuck, as the Tigers, with Williams's leadership, were able to transform their early season woes into the program's first NCAA appearance under coach Hardaway and their first tournament victory since 2013.
"It was really exciting to turn things around for the city," Williams says. "I've been through a lot of adversity in my career, so when it came, it was normal to me and I just cheered on my teammates and kept the positive vibe going"
"It then becomes contagious, and we always knew we had great a team, but the fact that we bounced back is huge."
"He challenged me for sure," Williams says, reflecting on the ups and downs of the 2021-2022 campaign. "He challenged me every day because he knows that I should be a leader and one of the best guys on the team."
"The relationship (with fans) that I have, it's a blessing," Williams says. "I just thank God for it. My goal is to leave a legacy here for the younger generation and to give back. That's what I'm about. I believe that I left my mark here and I'm going to continue to do it."
Williams's "vibes" over the past two years have made him a fan favorite among many Tiger fans. His physical play, emotion on the floor, and relationship with fans off the court have made him one of the most recognizable players on the team.
"The relationship (with fans) that I have, it's a blessing," Williams says. "I just thank God for it. My goal is to leave a legacy here for the younger generation and to give back. That's what I'm about. I believe that I left my mark here and I'm going to continue to do it."
Part of Williams's legacy at Memphis will include being one of the most productive Tiger players in Hardaway's era.
According to Sports-Reference.com, Williams's average production per 40 minutes during his two seasons at Memphis includes 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot, a 56 percent shooting percentage, and more than 17 points.
But that 40-minute average also includes 5 personal fouls, a stat that Williams is working to approve upon.
"The fouls and technicals, that's just my passion," Williams says. "I don't really try to go out there and get technicals, but my mind kind of gets in the game, and I get very passionate about getting a win for the city and for my team, but I am going to try and calm down some this year."
How does Williams, the most vocal and visibly passionate player on the court work on calming his emotions?
"Smooth jazz," he says. "Before every game, my ritual is to pray, for sure, then I like to play a little jazz, some soft music, just to get me kind of in that mode and locked in and focused."
"We want to go out there and compete with them every year, and that's exciting because to be the best, you've got to beat the best."
Memphis will need all of Williams's focus and emotion to overcome reigning conference champion Houston this season.
Last year, Memphis and Houston split their regular season games, but the Cougars got the best of Tigers in the conference tournament, winning 71-53.
Houston was selected the favorite by conference head coaches once again this season, marking the fourth consecutive year the program has received the honor. Memphis finished second in the voting receiving one first-place vote.
Williams, a Houston native, has especially enjoyed the rivalry with the Cougars during his time with the Tigers. He hopes the addition of fellow Houston-born teammate Kendric Davis will help add to the rivalry this season.
"It's a great rivalry and Houston is the standard in the conference," Williams says. "They have that winning culture and Kelvin Sampson is a great coach."
"We want to go out there and compete with them every year, and that's exciting because to be the best, you've got to beat the best."