Yep, I was listening to the SportsAnimal during the interview and his explanation did make sense when you look at it from his point of view. Knoxville is not a bball recruiting hotbed, that's just the honest truth.
And it's not just UT, he said he has no desire to play other SEC schools that apparently want a series with Memphis, such as Ole Miss and Arkansas, who want an "in" in Memphis recruiting. Why lay out the welcome mat for all these schools in your town?
Personally I've no problem with what he said and it makes total sense. There's just nothing in it for them, and I respect the guy for being open and honest about it. And from what I know about him he doesn't appear to be the slimeball his predecessor was and is.