The American, SEC create basketball scheduling alliance

POSTED: April 18, 2019 -- 11:35 a.m. CT

The American Athletic Conference and Southeastern Conference (SEC) have agreed to a nonconference men's basketball scheduling alliance that features four teams from each conference playing home-and-home series over the course of each of the next two seasons.

"I am extremely pleased that we have entered into this scheduling alliance with the SEC," said American Commissioner Mike Aresco. "SEC Basketball offers quality opponents which will elevate our nonconference schedules. The additional Quadrant 1 and 2 games for our members and the SEC will prove mutually beneficial when Tournament bids are awarded on Selection Sunday. This agreement demonstrates the continued growth and appeal of American Athletic Conference Basketball. I want to thank Greg Sankey and Dan Leibovitz for their work on and support for this arrangement, which strengthens the men's basketball ties between our conferences that began with our basketball officiating consortium."

"Men's basketball in the SEC has been on the rise and this scheduling alliance will help to continue the growth of the sport," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. "This will provide four high quality games for both leagues during non-conference play."

The SEC/American Alliance matchups for the 2019-20 season will be officially announced in late May. The schools will then proceed to determine dates for these games, and all four showdowns will be carried on ESPN networks.

Last week, Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com tweeted the news of the scheduling alliance:

CLICK HERE for more NCAAM news and info.