The SEC has announced four matchups for the inaugural edition of its basketball scheduling alliance with the AAC.
It was reported back in April that the two conferences would join together as scheduling partners in order to increase the number of quality win opportunities during non-conference play.
The current agreement includes a two-year home-and-home series including four schools from each conference.
NEWS | The home-and-home series as part of our scheduling alliance with the @American_Conf have been announced.
The series will place over the course of each of the next two seasons. https://t.co/3frHfLB0i7
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) July 9, 2019
Here are the matchups for the 2019-20 season:
- Houston at South Carolina (Dec. 8)
- Georgia at Memphis (Jan. 4)
- SMU at Vanderbilt (Jan. 4)
- Ole Miss at Wichita State (Jan. 4)
The SEC had seven teams make the NCAA Tournament last season, while the AAC earned four bids.
Lovell’s Analysis
This alliance is a win-win for both conferences.
Making the tournament is a numbers game at this point, and strength of schedule has never been more important.
Of course, the first edition of the SEC/AAC alliance does give us an incredible showdown between the potential top two picks in the 2020 NBA Draft – Georgia guard Anthony Edwards and Memphis center James Wiseman.
The other three matchups should also be a lot of fun, with Houston expected to battle Memphis at the top of the AAC standings.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.