February 8, 2012

At long last, Memphis is part of the Big East.

The Big East says the Tigers officially accepted an invitation
to be part of the conference's next incarnation in 2013. Memphis is
the seventh school, and fourth from Conference USA, to sign up for
future membership in the Big East since December. The Tigers will
compete in the Big East in all sports.

Memphis has been trying to upgrade its conference affiliation
for years, and the Big East was always the most likely landing
spot. The Tigers were snubbed during the Big East's last massive
expansion in 2005 and lost a longtime rivalry with Louisville in
the process.

Now with the Big East rebuilding again and eventually in need
replacements for West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, there was
finally room for Memphis.