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Big East Basketball: 6 potential options to replace UConn if they leave for Big 12

By Joey Loose

Mar 9, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Nahiem Alleyne (4) shoots a three point shot against Providence Friars guard Devin Carter (22) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Nahiem Alleyne (4) shoots a three point shot against Providence Friars guard Devin Carter (22) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway Syndication The Commercial Appeal
Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway Syndication The Commercial Appeal /

Memphis

Conference realignment always has winners and losers and Memphis hasn’t exactly been a winner in recent years. When the Big 12 was looking to reboot after losing Oklahoma and Texas, they raided the AAC for Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, but Memphis was left behind. The Tigers have been a successful basketball program in their history and have had a decent run in football, but they aren’t heading to the Big 12.

Over a decade ago, the Big East was a rumored destination for Memphis and it looks like an intriguing option again, especially to help replace the void that Connecticut would leave behind. This isn’t John Calipari’s program that made the title game in 2008, but Penny Hardaway has built success back in Memphis and the program has plenty of support.

Memphis is another school where figuring out what do with the football program could be an issue, but that’s an issue the Tigers would gladly work out. They don’t want to be left behind again as the carousel of realignment starts to spin rapidly. Memphis fits right into the footprint of this Big East and would be another competitive basketball program, but will they perhaps hope and wait that the Big 12 reconsiders them in the future?

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