Appears Memphis will host 1st American Men's BB Tournament

[Water Pony]

"Mike Aresco, commissioner of the American Athletic Conference, visited the FedExForum on Wednesday and plans to announce that the league's first men's basketball tournament will be in Memphis."

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog ... rican.html

[mrydel]

Yay!!

[ponyboy]

Fantastic

[leopold]

Memphis really is the best option available.

[PoconoPony]

Memphis really is the best option available.

I agree. In fact, I think Memphis will actually surprise many with the level of interest and attendance.

[ponyscott]

Its perfect! Its a fun town and will really support the event!

[GiddyUp]

Good pick

[ponyboy]

I'm in.

[PonyPride]

SMU's version on it:

American Athletic Conference Announces 2014 Men's Basketball Tournament Location
Memphis' FedEx Forum To Host Event

June 11, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AAC) - FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., one of the nation's premier basketball venues, will be the site of the 2014 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship, Commissioner Mike Aresco announced.

"We are very excited to have the first American Athletic Conference championship at FedExForum," said Aresco. "We received significant interest from many outstanding venues. FedExForum is an outstanding facility and the Forum, the city of Memphis, the University of Memphis and the local community will combine to create a wonderful inaugural event that our teams, coaches, administrators and fans will embrace and enjoy."

The dates of the 2014 championship are March 12-15. Each game of the 10-team tournament will be televised on the ESPN networks. The championship game on Saturday, March 15, will be televised on ESPN. The tournament will begin with two first-round games on Wednesday, March 12. Two quarterfinal doubleheaders will be played on Thursday, March 13, followed by a semifinal doubleheader on Friday, March 14. Game times will be announced at a later date.

FedExForum has a seating capacity of 18,400. It is located off historic Beale Street and its vibrant and popular entertainment district.

FedExForum is the home to the University of Memphis men's basketball team and the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The building also has hosted regional rounds of the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. After the American Athletic Championship, it will host the second and third rounds of the 2014 NCAA Championship in the South Regional.

The first season of men's basketball under The American banner will include a very strong nucleus of teams, starting with Louisville, the 2013 national champion.

Memphis is coming off a 31-5 season, which included advancing to the third round of the NCAA Championship. Temple also played in the third round of the NCAAs while compiling a 24-10 mark. Cincinnati finished 22-12 while participating in its third straight NCAA tourney. Connecticut, UCF and Houston all enjoyed 20-win seasons.