The American Athletic Conference may not be a primetime player in comparison to a power conference but don’t be fooled. A group primed to push each other in conference play, who comes out on top?
MIP Projected Preseason Standings:
| 1. Houston | 7. Wichita State |
| 2. Memphis | 8. UCF |
| 3. SMU | 9. South Florida |
| 4. Cincinnati | 10. Tulsa |
| 5. Temple | 11. East Carolina |
| 6. Tulane | Post Season Champion: Houston |
11. East Carolina
The Pirates are in the worst position in the conference and could be for some time. Going 6-11 last season ECU has continued to search for answers while losing their best players. The team lost all three double digit scorers and are essentially starting over on both ends of the floor. To recap, Tristen Newton committed to UConn, Vance Jackson graduated and Brandon Suggs switched sides to conference rival UCF leaving a crater sized gap in the identity of the team.
Without a massive breakout year from Tremont Robinson-White or an unexpected explosion from a rising underclassman, the team truly may not win a game in the conference.
MIP Player to Watch: Wynston Tabbs
10. Tulsa
After finishing conference play last season at 4-11, the Golden Hurricanes lost their leading scorer, Jeriah Horne and did not do much else to improve. While they were able to land three star recruit Charles Chukwu to help soften the blow of the loss in the front court, it won’t be enough to keep them from slipping to the bottom of the conference.
In an ideal world the team uses their veteran presence to scrape together a handful of conference wins and put themselves in a slightly better position come time for the conference tournament. Yet, this group just doesn’t seem to have the juice necessary to push even the middling teams in this conference on a consistent basis. Asking them to finish higher than 10th feels like a stretch.
MIP Player to Watch: Sam Griffin
9. South Florida
South Florida is a rising group that has a bit more experience than other teams at the bottom of the conference. While the team is clearly better than Tulsa and ECU it is hard to find where they slot in against the rest of the conference.
Picking up three impact transfers in Tyler Harris (Memphis), Selton Miguel (Kansas State) and Keyshawn Bryant (South Carolina) is one way to help right the ship but really it all boils down to one question. Can they improve one of the worst offenses in the NCAA enough to win games? The jury is still out on and losing Caleb Murphy isn’t going to help the cause. In addition to the offense Brian Gregory hasn’t been successful during his time and it is a prove it or lose it year. A sleeper pick to finish in the top half of the conference, we just don’t see Gregory putting it all together.
MIP Player to Watch: Corey Walker Jr.
8. UCF
The Knights had as a ton of offseason turnover this year and may have to hit the reset button before they are back in the mix for a top half spot in the conference. Losing all three of their scoring leaders to both the pros and buzzsaw that is the transfer portal they more questions than answers.
Even though Johnny Dawkins was able to add two transfers himself* they are going to play out more so as complimentary pieces and not true leaders of the team. The gamble for UCF is betting on their in-program talent to take a legitimate leap and keep them afloat. While CJ Walker and Darius Johnson have both showed promise they should do enough to keep UCF from falling flat but not enough to get in the top six.
*Ithiel Horton (Pitt) Michael Durr (Indiana)
MIP Player to Watch: CJ Walker
7. Wichita State
The Shockers finishing middle of the pack may seem a bit ambitious with the loss of Tyson Etienne to the NBA however, the appeal of Wichita State is their ability to stay relevant. Considering the team was middling last year it isn’t hard to imagine they duplicate their performance from last season.
The team was gutted by the transfer portal but for everything you lost, Isaac Brown had a chance to restructure and recalibrate the direction of the team with additions. If the team can find their fit during out of conference play they will have no problem staying competitive in the AAC.
MIP Player to Watch: Jalen Ricks
6. Temple
The Owls finally found their footing under Aaron Mckie last season, finishing in the top four. Naturally though they are going to take a minor step back because of the competition in the conference and the loss of their primary playmaker Jeremiah Williams. Yet, with so many explosive offense players returning to the team the 4/5/6 spot in AAC is going to be a heated battle.
Damian Dunn, Jahlil White and Khalif Battle are three players every team should be afraid of coming into this season. If Mckie can steer the ship straight and get his guys good looks, Temple will be able to beat anyone in the conference.
MIP Player to Watch: Jahlil White
5. Tulane
Beware the Green Wave. This group has all the ability and potential to surprise the conference and make a run into the top four. A team that isn’t going to give anyone an easy game the program went basically untouched in the transfer portal and was able to retain the core of their team. As the college basketball landscape levels, teams that keep their core always seem to rise to the top. Tulane has a chance to continue that trend this year. Under Ron Hunter, a man no stranger to surprising tournament runs, the team went 10-8 in the conference last year. Expect that to improve this season.
Coupling three program grown double digit scorers with the high major transfers Collin Holloway (Georgetown) and Tre Williams (Oregon State) is going to lead to reasonable success, especially in this conference.
MIP Player to Watch: Jalen Cook
4. Cincinnati
The Bearcats didn’t have the juice to go the distance last year. After a stellar start to their regular season and the whispers they may be back in the national conversation, the team ended up losing 8 of 10 down the stretch. Call it inexperience, a lack of adjustments or both Wes Miller’s first season started strong and ended flat. Ideally, in year two the team can find their footing and rise to the occasion.
Picking up depth and experience in the transfer portal should address their rapid collapse last season. As long as their core continues to develop Cincinnati should not only be a top four team in the conference but one of the 68 teams chosen for the NCAA tournament.
MIP Player to Watch: Jeremiah Davenport
3. SMU
SMU was spurned by their best player after he transferred during the offseason. The reigning and defending AAC player of the year Kendric Davis moved on to greener pastures, the problem for the Mustangs, it just so happened to be in conference rival Memphis. Couple this with the retirement of Tim Jankovich and it isn’t shocking the program has been scrambling since their season ended.
Yet, even with the offseason turmoil the Mustangs have found a way to stay in the conference top three. Rob Lanier now heads the team and he has been extremely busy, picking up three impact transfers in Efe Odigie (Troy), Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Alabama) and Samuell Williamson (Louisville) . If the team can find cohesion early in the season and their new additions can rise to the occassion, the team should have no problem competing against the two top dogs in the AAC.
MIP Player to Watch: Zhuric Phelps
2. Memphis
Memphis is a team that has perennially disappointed, had a carrousel of players on the roster and can’t seem to find the formula to win the big game. Yet, based on the talent level in the AAC they are still poised to be a top three seed in the conference and once again push Houston for supremacy. This is the season Penny Hardaway needs to steady the ship, retain talent and truly build a roster that has cohesion.
By poaching Kendric Davis from SMU and retaining DeAndre Williams the team still has the pieces to turn the program around fully. Hardaway was also able to make a late transfer add in Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu which should help soften the blow of losing one and done Jalen Duren. A truly make or break season for the entire team.
MIP Player to Watch: Kendric Davis
1. Houston
Houston is once again the gatekeeper of the American Athletic Conference. Kelvin Sampson continues to push the right buttons to make his team the clear favorite to win the conference. With six twenty win season under his belt and growing success in the tournament, it may be time for the team as a whole to make a jump back to true national prominence. The Final Four has slipped away from this team twice so far but while other teams in the conference recalibrate the Cougars are going all in.
Marcus Sasser should be one of, if not, the favorite to win AAC player of the year and his supporting cast can go head to head with anyone in the country. A mix of returning players and top prospects, this team has what it takes to be the last one standing. While winning the whole thing depends on how the team develops, winning the AAC should be inevitable with a rotation featuring experiences veterans like Tramon Mark, Reggie Chaney, Jamal Shead. Monitor Ramon Walker Jr. with potential to get additional minutes in his sophomore season along incoming freshman Jarace Walker and Terrance Arceneaux.
MIP Player to Watch: Marcus Sasser