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The SEC-Big 12 challenge has been a big success the past few seasons allowing for a mid regular season battle between schools from two of the best basketball conferences in the country.
However, it has had one significant flaw. That being the SEC having more schools than the Big 12, which has led to four teams being left out of the challenge.
According to John Rothstein of CBS Sports, the SEC has found a solution for this problem.
Rothstein tweeted out Thursday that the four SEC teams not involved in the challenge will be paired with a foe from the American Athletic beginning next season.
Sources: SEC teams not involved in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge will play home-and-home series' starting in 19-20 against select teams from the American Conference. The goal of the alliance between the leagues is create more Quad 1 and 2 opportunities.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 11, 2019
The main reason for this is to help teams earn more Quadrant I and II wins in order to improve NCAA Tournament odds.
This is more beneficial for the AAC, which often has quality teams snubbed from the tournament due to not being a Power 5 conference.
While Kentucky will likely be paired with an opponent from the Big 12 such as Kansas or West Virginia, there would still be some potentially great matchups if they were left out.
Successful programs such as Cincinnati, Houston, UCONN, UCF and Memphis all play in the AAC and will now be able to get more chances at the SEC.
How fun would it be for Kentucky to match up with Penny Hardaway or have a chance to avenge the 2014 national championship loss to UCONN?
Time will tell if we will get to find out.