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AMERICAN
In its first season, 2013-14, the American Athletic Conference featured the defending national champion Louisville Cardinals. In its second season, last year, the AAC again was the conference of the defending champions, this time the UConn Huskies. That makes this the very first season in AAC history that the conference has not been able to make such a claim. To make matters worse, the AAC only put two teams in the Big Dance last year, SMU and Cincinnati, with neither team advancing past the first weekend of play.
The good news for the American is that it would be a complete shock if the conference did not better last season’s performance this year, even with SMU ineligible for postseason play. After a home loss on Selection Sunday to SMU in the American championship game sent them to the NIT, the UConn Huskies will be looking to bounce back and are the preseason pick to take the conference title. Cincinnati will be in the tournament discussion this year again, as could a Tulsa team that found itself in the NIT last year. The conference’s two other returning postseason participants (Temple and Memphis, both in the NIT, with Temple having advanced to the semifinals) are probably not strong enough to make a serious NCAA push this year. However, the surprise team we are keeping an eye on is Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars. Don’t be surprised if they are in the tournament bubble discussion when the calendar turns to March.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Connecticut – The Huskies return Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Amida Brimah, all of whom have the ability to take over a game. Seton Hall transfer Sterling Gibbs and Cornell transfer Shonn Miller should both make huge impacts as well. If Kevin Ollie can get them to gel, the Huskies might win the conference despite having lost Ryan Boatright.
2. Cincinnati – Not only do all five starters return from the best defensive team in the conference, but Mick Cronin has a clean bill of health and will be back on the sideline. Octavius Ellis, Gary Clark and Shaq Thomas should all be forces down low while point guard Troy Caupain is among the best at his position in the conference.
3. SMU – The big news for SMU came in September, when the NCAA announced major infractions by the program leading to head coach Larry Brown’s 9 game suspension and a postseason ban. On the court, Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy are two of the best players in the AAC. Texas Tech transfer Jordan Tolbert should be a solid scorer and rebounder, plus the team welcomes Keith Frazier (the player who was the subject of the investigation) back after missing the second half of last season for academic reasons. The Mustangs almost definitely would be dancing if they were eligible, but all they can play for is the conference regular season title.
4. Tulsa – Frank Haith’s squad went 14-4 in AAC play last season and returns all five starters, normally a recipe for success. The Golden Hurricane are deep in the backcourt with Rashad Smith, Marquel Curtis, James Woodard and Shaquille Harrison. If they can get better up front, there is no reason their name will not be called on Selection Sunday.
5. Houston – Kelvin Sampson is beginning to mold this team and it should be significantly improved from last year’s 19 losses despite the decision by Jherrod Stiggers to turn pro. There is depth down low and the additions of Purdue transfer Ronnie Johnson and Oregon transfer Damyean Dotson, both of whom averaged close to double digits in scoring at their prior schools, will help a lot.
6. Memphis – Josh Pastner’s team was devastated in the offseason by transfers, most notably when Austin Nichols decided to pack his bags for Virginia. However, they still have forward Shaq Goodwin who is capable of a double-double on any night, and the addition two promising freshmen brothers in Dedric and K.J. Lawson. A return to the postseason should be in the cards, but probably not to the tournament the Tigers want to be playing in.
7. Temple – The Owls were, in our opinion, the biggest snub by the tournament selection committee last season. Unfortunately, the Owls no longer have Will Cummings and Jesse Morgan around to put the ball through the net and will instead have to rely on Quenton DeCosey to step up as a leader surrounded by a solid recruiting class.
8. East Carolina – The Pirates have a chance to flirt with the upper half of the conference standings due to the returns of Caleb White and B.J. Tyson plus the addition of JC transfer Clarence Williams. These three players alone should be enough to have the Pirates exceeding the expectations of some, especially if they can get better on the boards.
9. UCF – The Golden Knights have a pair of talented guards in B.J. Taylor and Adonys Henriquez, both of whom should average double figures in scoring. The problems will be down low, though keep an eye out for 7-6, 300 pound monster freshman Tacko Fall. If he is actually able to play the game, the Knights will be dangerous.
10. Tulane – Louis Dabney averaged 13.6 points per game last year. The bad news is that he is the only returning player of note for the Green Wave team that finished 6-12 in AAC play. Although there are a ton of unknowns on the roster, Ed Conroy has brought in one of the school’s deepest recruiting classes in years, and the future is looking brighter in New Orleans — just not this year.
11. South Florida – Orlando Antigua is trying to rebuild the Bulls’ program, but it is going to take time. This year will be another long one in Tampa.