The Memphis women’s basketball team rode a modest wave of momentum into the offseason.

After a rough 7-14 start in Year 1 of the Alex Simmons era, the Tigers hit their stride, winning six out of seven before falling in the first round of the AAC Tournament.

As much as it gave Memphis something to feel good about, it also elevated Simmons’ already lofty standard. With the 2024-25 season still more than three months down the road, there is a confidence permeating throughout the program that things are moving in the right direction.

“I’m somebody who – nobody can have higher expectations for this program other than me,” Simmons said. “Whatever anybody else’s expectations are, mine are probably 10 times that. So, I do think they are higher.

“And, with the makeup of our team, I feel pretty confident.”

The Tigers feature seven players with at least four years of experience. There are eight players who were on last season’s roster at Memphis. And the newcomers Simmons has brought in aren’t just for show. Tilly Boler was Jackson State’s leading scorer last season (12.9 points per game). Quinzia Fulmore (6-foot-3 transfer forward) averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last season at Towson.

Simmons believes she has players like Raven Sims and Hannah Riddick, who still haven’t reached their full potential but are moving in the right direction. And she has strong leadership from veterans like Alasia Smith.

“Obviously, I’ve been with Alex for five years,” said Smith (9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds last season), whose career began with Simmons at Gardner-Webb. “With Maddie (Griggs) and all them gone, I know I have a big part in stepping up. I’m a senior and a starter and these young ones definitely look up to me and have a lot of respect for me.”

Sims is a Bartlett product and is the only Memphian on the roster. Last season, she saw plenty of playing time but was utilized primarily off the bench and for her defense. But she has developed into far more.

“I challenged her this summer: ‘You can’t have that role anymore,’” said Simmons. “She’s worked hard with her position coach – getting in the gym, working on her shot. To me, it was a matter of just confidence. She’s done a great job of selling out and being confident in her shot.”

MEMPHIS FOOTBALL MAILBAG: Tigers 2024 schedule trap game, Seth Henigan backup

Perhaps, though, the biggest reason for Simmons’ confidence is the program’s intentionality this offseason. Walking into a new situation made for a more hectic environment. All the change meant less time for strictly basketball.

Now there is more time to slow things down and concentrate on getting things right on the court.

“We spent a lot of the summer being intentional with what we were doing and how we’re doing it,” said Simmons. “Now, it takes a lot of patience (to do that). You have to slow down. But because we slowed down and breaking things down more, it’s helped our team get further (along than where we were this time last year).”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis women's basketball is not shying away from high expectations