Really?... Uhm... according info from both of their websites...
Univ. of AZ - 270,000 alums world-wide / 60,000 alums live or work in Maricopa County.
AZ State Univ. - 544,00 alums world-wide / 270,000 Alums live or work in Maricopa County.
Those numbers aren't very close to me.
I've been to Phoenix/Scottsdale area quite a bit over the past 25 some years and I've always left with the impression that AZ State was clearly the "favored" school among the residents. I have a couple of former business associates who went to AZ St. and I also have more than a handful of friends who sent their kids there and I rarely hear any mention of U of AZ or have met any alums.... but then again I don't know anyone that went to Yale or sent a kid there either.
As you've said and I have read, the U of AZ is considered the better school between the two... and, the U of AZ is an AAU school.
Still, I'd take either one just to expand the B1G's footprint in to one of the country's fastest growing major markets. While I believe the B1G won't give AZ St. a look because it's not an AAU school and the academics aren't great, my preference is still AZ St.... just because it's so damn big!
and lot's of eyeballs will be following the league.