AAC should root for UCF
A Tigers win would cost the conference millions
Let’s preface this with one firm statement: If you’re a Memphis football fan, you should be at the Liberty Bowl Saturday afternoon rooting for the Tigers.
Games like these, when No. 9 UCF comes to town with its 18-game win streak for a rematch of last year’s spectacular American Athletic Conference championship game, just don’t happen often. In fact, it’s the first time the Tigers have hosted a top-10 team since 2009, when No. 8 Ole Miss opened the season here.
But you know who shouldn’t be rooting for Memphis Saturday? Anybody else affiliated with the AAC.
Because if the Tigers were to pull off an upset and end that UCF win streak, it could cost the league millions.
Because then UCF wouldn’t be a top-10 team anymore and would no longer have a slim chance of making the College Football Playoff.
Because this rigged system orchestrated by the Power Five conferences wouldn’t even have to be rigged the rest of the year.
Because with the AAC in the middle of negotiations over its next media rights deal, UCF’s winning streak, its win over Auburn in last year’s Peach Bowl and the national championship publicity campaign that followed are the best things to ever happen to this league.
Don’t take my word for it. Just listen to AAC commissioner Mike Aresco.
“It has raised the profile of the league enormously and I think it shed light on us,” Aresco said. “It’s always important to have that one or two teams that really stand out. People kind of judge you by your best teams and there’s no question that UCF has generated a lot of exposure and atten-
this season.
Considering the injury is simply listed as soreness indicates it is not serious and shouldn't keep Temple out for long.
Wayne Seldon got the start in Temple's spot on Wednesday.
Solid night from Conley
Mike Conley continued to prove he will be ready before Memphis' opener in Indianapolis.
The veteran guard played 31 minutes and scored 24 points against the Magic. After playing in just 12 games last season due to injury, Conley traveled to Orlando leading the Grizzlies in playing time this preseason at 24.5 minutes per game.
He said Monday the preseason has gone "according to plan" and noted that the team was happy that he, Chandler Parsons and Marc Gasol have been able to play extended minutes so far.
"(Bickerstaff) sat us down earlier in the offseason and gave us a glimpse of what was to come," Conley said Monday. "He's stuck to that schedule."
Divided run for Selden, Mack, Brooks and Brooks
Wayne Selden got the start, but without Temple in the lineup, one thing watch Wednesday was the use of the Grizzlies' other options at shooting guard, especially with Memphis using its typical starters for most of the game.
Selden saw the most time at 24 minutes, Dillon Brooks was next with 20, then Shelvin Mack with close to 16 and finally MarShon Brooks with close to 10.
It was Dillon Brooks who led that group in scoring with nine points, but Mack also had an efficient night, scoring eight points on 3-5 shooting in limited minutes.
One offensive rebound
Perhaps the most concerning statistic for the Grizzlies on Wednesday was rebounding.
Marc Gasol grabbed Memphis' lone offensive rebound against the Magic, and the Grizzlies were outrebounded by Orlando 54-38.
Memphis ranks last in the NBA this preseason with 42 rebounds per game.
Next up
Next up for the Grizzlies is a final preseason game against Houston at home Friday. Memphis will begin the regular season Oct. 17 on the road against the Pacers.