(06-28-2023 09:28 PM)UofMemphis Wrote: no simply because Cincy and Houston are long time rivals of Memphis with great hoops tradition.
Edit: I'm excited to see UAB in the conf too...AKs Blazer's will most likely give us fits (as always)
Houston, Cincinnati, and Louisville - all gone.
These are irreplaceable rivalry games. Sure, we will play games - we will have a full schedule but you can't create instant history. It takes decades to create a rival not just a few close games with the paid homer announcers talking about a 'budding' rivalry. That's just fake and contrived.
Personally, I can name a dozen out of conference schools that move the needle more than any team in the new AAC. Even ECU and Tulane which are probably the two teams left that we have the most history with. SMU might develop into something over the next 15-20 years but I think they will be plucked by the PAC very soon.
UAB simply does not interest me. They may beat us in every sport every time we play but it's just not a long standing historical rivalry.
FAU har a great year in bb but we've played them 1 time? How long will they be good before their coach moves up and they sink back to mediocrity?
Between the NIL bs, CUSA back in the day and now the AAC getting raided and 3 of the top 4 schools leaving, the massive, ever growing TV money gap, and college revenue sports basically becoming minor league product - I care waaaay less than I used to.