Before Memphis fans processed their school’s recent commitment to the AAC, Gonzaga accepted an offer to join the Pac-12 on Monday, which added to their frustration. While some say Memphis is no longer a target for the Pac-12, others have reported that’s not the case.
Despite conflicting reports, one fact has remained certain; the Pac-12 still needs at least one additional full member to reach FBS requirements. According to a report by Brett McMurphy, another member will not be added until the Pac-12 completes a media rights evaluation, which could take up to the three months.
Last Thursday, Memphis AD Ed Scott addressed the decision to decline an offer from the Pac-12 and made it clear Memphis could join a different conference in the future. He even left the door open to future talks with the Pac-12 after declining the “bad deal”. Scott’s comments were hard to argue and seemed to build rapport with the fanbase.
Then came what felt like a slap on the face from Brandon Marcello on Tuesday via X.
Feeling skipped-over and looked-past is nothing new for Tiger fans. But no longer being considered by the seemingly-desperate Pac-12 was a particularly deflating report to read. Later in the week, Marcello and other national figures reported that the Pac-12 is not in serious discussions with any potential invitees, but this news did not ease the frustration in Memphis.
Conference expansion news changed quickly this week but it appeared Memphis was destined to be left out again. But then, in typical Hitmen fashion, Hitmen Hoops provided a hint of hope and intrigue with the following post on X:
…So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Dissecting reports on conference realignment may not be the most valuable way to spend time. But there is very clear reason why many Memphis fans have been doing just that.
With the football team enjoying a bye week, fans have looked ahead to a schedule with just two teams holding a winning record. Currently, only one winning team, North Texas, will be coming to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The Mean Green are not exactly known for drawing much of a crowd.
Meanwhile, the basketball team has faced the grim reality of zero Quad-1 opportunities in conference play. The Tigers slated a brutal non-conference schedule while the rest of the AAC primarily scheduled cupcakes. This has screamed “one-bid league” before the season has even started.
Not only does the AAC produce uninteresting games for fans, but it leaves a small margin for error when resumes are reviewed come CFP and NCAA Tournament time.
The hypothetical matchups with a currently-ranked Boise State, a recent title-contender in San Diego State, and a college basketball powerhouse in Gonzaga wash those worries away, but have made the Tigers’ current standing in the AAC all the more frustrating.
We could look back on the decision to decline a Pac-12 invite as a fantastic financial decision, much unlike the AAC deal that included $25 million in exit fees. A better deal, a better conference, could come in the future for Memphis.
But until then, fans will follow the speculation. They will continue the decades-old conversation about a better conference and by extension, the national respect they believe Memphis deserves.
