Why adding Memphis would have been a bad idea for the Big 12 | Berry Tramel’s ScissorTales

The University of Memphis wants to buy its way into the Big 12.

Cant blame the Tigers.

It worked for Southern Methodist, which bought its way into the Atlantic Coast Conference and promptly went 8-0 in the ACC its very first football season.

But you cant blame the Big 12 for saying no.

The Big 12, a major conference, is exactly what Memphis needs.

But Memphis, a football program a long way from national power status, is not what the Big 12 needs.

Yahoo Sports reported the Memphis offer to the Big 12 no conference distributions for five years, an out clause for the Big 12 before implementation of the next television contract and $200 million in new conference sponsorships from Memphis-friendly companies FedEx, Auto Zone and Lowes.

Free money for the Big 12, but a hit to the leagues status.

And Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark already has shown his cards on status, with his preference for the 5/11 playoff model, with no Big 12 guarantees, over a 4-4-2-2 model, with two Big 12 guarantees.

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And Memphis apparently got little traction with this offer.

The university even issued a statement: The University of Memphis is aware of the recent conversations regarding our potential inclusion in the Big 12.

While those discussions did not ultimately move in our favor, our university and Memphis athletics are stronger than ever, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our position nationally.

Truth is, Memphis has done a nice job this century of building up its athletic department.

Memphis football is far better than it once was.

But the Memphis brand is nowhere near the brand bar that Yormark has set for expansion.

Hes danced with Gonzaga and Connecticut, betting that their basketball pre-eminence would pay off.

Big 12 decision-makers said no.

Yormark did get his hoops itch scratched when Houston was included with Central Florida and Cincinnati from the American Conference exodus.

UCF and UC were mid-major success stories much more than Memphis.

Yormarks other additions Brigham Young and four Pac-12 expatriates were no-brainers.

Seems to me that if the Big 12 is going to add another mid-major for football, it should be Boise State, a name brand on the gridiron far surpassing Memphis.

Ive not been a big Memphis advocate, because I havent seen the Tigers do what other mid-major hopefuls have done.

Memphis doesnt even have its own on-campus football or basketball home.

The Tiger hoops team does play in the downtown FedEx Forum, where the NBA Grizzlies play, and draws well, between 10,000 and 14,000 for most games, so thats not a huge negative.

But Memphis football plays in the decrepit Liberty Stadium, home of the Liberty Bowl.

The stadium is undergoing a $200 million renovation, and the city of Memphis conveyed ownership to the university, so the Tigers at least are trying.

But an off-campus stadium is not ideal.

When Texas Christian was hoping for a power-conference home, the Horned Frogs built a gorgeous on-campus football home.

The new Amon Carter Stadium is a jewel.

Thats the kind of commitment the Big 12 wants to see.

Memphis football is competitive.

The Tigers in the last 10 years are 9-8 against power-conference teams.

Theyve beaten Ole Miss twice, Kansas twice and Florida State, West Virginia, Iowa State, Mississippi State and UCLA once each.

Theyve lost to Missouri twice and Penn State, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Iowa State and Auburn once each.

The financial offer of Memphis has to be intriguing.

And the out clause makes a big difference.

Tennessee doesnt even border a current Big 12 state, but somehow, Memphis makes sense geographically.

The Big 12 has five members out West, eight members in Middle America and just three members east of the Mississippi River.

Memphis isnt much East of the mighty Mississippi, but still, it would add some geographic balance.

Big 12 basketball would be enhanced, though the Tigers have been disappointing under coach Penny Hardaway.

Memphis has just three NCAA Tournament wins since John Calipari left for Kentucky 16 years ago.

But the Big 12 is fighting a perception problem.

It badly needs a school or two to rise above the rampant parity and become a powerhouse.

Some thought OSU and Utah could do it.

Arizona State and Kansas State now are the chic picks.

Texas Tech and BYU might be in the best financial position in this pay-the-players era.

Memphis doesnt help the perception problem.

Boise State would, but Memphis would not.

Memphis doesnt add monetary value to the next television contract.

Boise State would, but Memphis would not.

Saying no to Memphis was the right call for the Big 12.

Waters headed to San Antonio Former OSU basketball player Lindy Waters agreed to a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported Wednesday, and playing time wont be easy for Waters to find in Alamo City.

But thats OK.

Not much has come easy for Waters in his basketball career.

Waters, who spent three seasons with the Thunder after rising from the Enid Outlaws of The Basketball League, is one of the NBAs all-time longshots.

Undrafted even by the G League, Waters worked and scrapped and has made a name for himself in the NBA.

Waters had played 156 NBA games, averaging 13.2 minutes and 5.2 points, while shooting 36.6% from 3-point range.

Waters in San Antonio faces the same roster hurdles he found with the Thunder, then last season with both the Warriors and Pistons, where he cracked the rotation mostly when injuries curtailed depth.

The rebuilding Spurs have a bright future, with 7-foot-5 star Victor Wembanyama.

San Antonios roster right now includes at least six guards or wings who would rank ahead of Waters: DeAaron Fox, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and 2025 first-round draft picks Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper, the latter the number 2 overall selection.

Waters didnt crack the Detroit rotation in April for the Pistons first-round playoff series against the New York Knickerbockers.

But Waters was in the rotation for the Thunders play-in game at Minnesota in 2023.

The List: SEC all-time rushing leaders OU has spent the better part of a century with its players near or at the top of the Big Six/Big Seven/Big Eight/Big 12 all-time rushing leaders.

But now in the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners have some ground to make up.

Literally.

Here are the top 20 rushing leaders in SEC history; spoiler alert two of the top 20 played in the same 2017-season Rose Bowl against the Sooners: 1.

Herschel Walker, 1980-82, Georgia, 5,259 yards.

2.

Nick Chubb, 2014-17, Georgia, 4,769.

3.

Darren McFadden, 2005-07, Arkansas, 4,590.

4.

Kevin Faulk, 1995-98, LSU, 4,557.

5.

Bo Jackson, 1982-85, Auburn, 4,303.

6.

Ralph Webb, 2014-17, Vanderbilt, 4,173.

7.

Errict Rhett, 1989-93, Florida, 4,163.

8.

Dalton Hilliard, 1982-85, LSU, 4,050.

9.

Charles Alexander, 1975-78, LSU, 4,035.

10.

Anthony Dixon, 2006-09, Mississippi State, 3,994.

11.

Emmitt Smith, 1987-89, Florida, 3,928.

12.

Benjamin Snell, 2016-18, Kentucky, 3,873.

13.

Najee Harris, 2017-20, Alabama, 3,843.

14.

Sonny Collins, 1972-75, Kentucky, 3,835.

15.

Cadillac Williams, 2001-04, Auburn, 3,831.

16.

Leonard Fournette, 2014-16, LSU, 3,830.

17.

Larry Rountree, 2017-20, Missouri, 3,720.

18.

Alex Collins, 2013-15, Arkansas, 3,703.

19.

Christopher Rodriguez, 2018-22, Kentucky, 3,644.

20.

Sony Michel, 2014-17, Georgia, 3,638.

Mailbag: Forecasting the Thunder future With no basketball games to keep minds occupied, Thunder fans are letting their analysis run wild.

Bill: In what order will the following four inevitable events occur during the OKC Thunders future: Current ownership sells franchise, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leaves the organization, Sam Presti leaves the organization, Mark Daigneault leaves the organization? Berry: Interesting.

Quite the brain teaser.

My reporting already has established the general timetable on an ownership change Clay Bennetts group likely will sell the Thunder not long after the new arena opens in 2028.

So the question revolves around 2028.

Before or after on each of those individuals.

Heres my best guess: 1.

Ownership change first; 2.

Gilgeous-Alexander leaves the organization; 3.

Presti leaves; 4.

Daigneault leaves.

Presti and Daigneault are sort of interchangeable, unless Presti pulls a surprise and leaves soon.

SGA is under contract until summer 2031, and while you never know, for now there is no apparent reason to leave anytime soon, with the roster so stacked and Gilgeous-Alexander so secure.

For the same reasons, theres also little reason for Daigneault to leave anytime soon.

Hes young, a coaching success story and set for a long run of success.

Locksley lost the locker room Since paying players entered its acceptability era, old-school coaches have warned of coming locker-room strife.

I tended to dismiss them.

These guys arent so much younger than National Football League locker rooms, and NFL teams seem to keep a lid on financial discontent.

Why couldnt the colleges? Then Maryland coach Mike Locksley told us Wednesday that it was a huge problem for his 2024 Terrapins.

I own the fact that I lost my locker room, Locksley told ESPN during Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas.

And this is Coach Locks, the locker room king, telling you this landscape.

I had to choose between paying young players who were coming in or reward the older players that have been through the fire, three bowl wins, and I tried to do both with limited resources.

And thats what you get: a locker room with the haves and have-nots.

The 2024 Terrapins finished 4-8, 1-8 in the Big Ten.

Maryland had more players selected in the NFL Draft (six) than wins.

The Terrapins lost their final five games, all by at least two touchdowns.

Locksley said he now has a sign outside the locker room that reads: Leave your Louis belts, leave your financial statements and your car keys outside of this locker room, because in here were all going to pay the same price for success or failure.

Locksley said he would move his desk to the locker room, if necessary.

A valuable lesson learned, he said.

Financial discontent hasnt seemed to be an issue at OU, with Brent Venables retaining most of his good players.

But vaunted defensive tackle David Stone did enter the transfer portal after spring practice, apparently over money issues.

He returned to the Sooner fold a few days later.

And there have been no reports of locker-room friction at OSU, despite a dreadful season (3-9) and lots of defections.

The old-school coaches werent all wrong.

Stay tuned to see how this plays out across college football..

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