Was that a little trash talk I just saw? Though I couldn’t exactly hear what was said, there was definitely some pre-game jawing going on during warmups between Antonio Anderson and Houston seniors Lanny Smith and Robert McKiver. Anderson definitely had his game face on, and McKiver was smiling, so it must not have been too serious. But some bad vibes wouldn’t be a bad thing, the way I see it. Any kind of rivalry in Conference USA would be good for Memphis and the league. Though it’s hard for anybody else in C-USA to project much attitude, given that nobody besides Memphis has accomplished anything, Houston definitely has some swagger. It will be interesting to see if anything develops during the game from that little meeting I just saw between Anderson and the Houston players.

Looks like William Wesley is back again to take in this game from behind the Tigers’ bench. Worldwide Wes just entered the building and is making the handshake rounds.

I always come into these games against Houston believing Memphis could potentially lose; the way Houston plays just makes them so unpredictable. But the thing is, every game I’ve seen between the two teams has unfolded in an identical manner. Houston takes the lead early, Memphis makes a big run to open it up and makes enough shots to keep the Cougars at a 10 to 12 point deficit for the rest of the second half. There’s no reason to think tonight will be any different. But I always enjoy watching Houston; unlike most of the dreck in this conference, the Cougars look and play like a serious basketball team, even though their roster has some flaws that will probably keep them out of the NCAA Tournament when it’s all said and done.

That’s the natural question, now that the two schools are hooking up for a football series beginning next year. Fans would certainly love to see it. John Calipari has been on record that he wanted to continue the rivalry after Conference USA broke up. So will it happen?

Calipari told me yesterday he and Louisville coach Rick Pitino have talked, but Pitino still isn’t interested in a home-and-home series. However, Pitino might be open to playing a neutral-site game, probably in Madison Square Garden.

“We’ve got so many things going on in scheduling right now,” Calipari said. “We’re only going to do things that are good for our program.”

I am not always good at reading the tea leaves, but let’s just put it this way: If you enjoy watching Memphis and Tennessee play on a home-and-home basis, you better get every ounce of enjoyment possible out of this year’s meeting because you never know when it will come around again.