Anything goes in the American Athletic Conference, and this coming 2016-17 NCAA college basketball season promises that the conference will be a hard-fought one.
Let’s take a look below at how we project the AAC to shape up.
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2016-17 NCAA Season American Athletic Conference Preview
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Temple Owls
2015 Record: 14-4
Predicted Record: 9-9
Temple sure doesn’t look like it’s ready to win 14 games again in the conference like last season. For as enticing as the coming-out-party for Obi Enechionyia can be, the 6-foot-9 dynamo doesn’t have enough of a supporting cast to help his cause. The lengthy injuries to Trey Lowe (car accident) and Josh Brown (torn Achilles) hurts the Owls’ value even more.
SMU Mustangs
2015 Record: 13-5
Predicted Record: 9-9
In the wake of their NCAA Tournament ban, you can bet that the Mustangs are out to trample their competition all over again and make to the Big Dance this time around. Even with head coach Larry Brown and The American’s player of the year Nic Moore no longer with the team, having recruited Australian prospects in Harry Froling and Tom Wilson could certainly revitalize the shamed program right from the get-go.
Houston Cougars
2015 Record: 12-6
Predicted Record: 10-8
An impressive run late last season almost put the Cougars back into the Big Dance. This season, their explosive backcourt made up of Damyean Dotson, Galen Robinson Jr. and Rob Gray Jr. will pick up where they left off guns-a-blazing. However, Houston might not have found sound replacements for their front court – particularly for Devonta Pollard – so their interior offense and defense could be their undoing.
Cincinnati Bearcats
2015 Record: 12-6
Predicted Record: 12-6
With senior guard Troy Caupin back in the mix along with a handful of experienced returnees, the Bearcats are one team to look out for this season not just in the AAC, but in the entire collegiate field. Cincinnati’s defense does not look to be in for a regression either, so their patented brand of ball will likely run smoothly again under Mick Cronin’s tutelage.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
2015 Record: 12-6
Predicted Record: 5-13
Most teams go through roster changes in the offseason, but no other team in the AAC was gutted like Tulsa. The team lost over 80 percent of their core lineup from last season, leaving only guard Pat Birt to defend the fort. And hey, if your top transferee is coming from Rutgers (Junior Etou), you know you’ve sunk a new low.
Connecticut Huskies
2015 Record: 11-7
Predicted Record: 15-3
Not only do the Huskies have the luxury of a handful of returning players, they even recruited so well in the offseason by nabbing about four of the nation’s top 10 recruits. Terry Larier and Atlerique Gilbert headline UConn’s freshman class and they are great pieces for veterans Jalen Adams and Rodney Purvis to work with in hopes of winning back-to-back AAC titles.
Memphis Tigers
2015 Record: 8-10
Predicted Record: 10-8
Even with a good chunk of their 2015-16 roster now out the door, the Tigers can look forward to a rebirth of sorts under new coach Tubby Smith. The Lawson brothers spearhead this new core of Memphis, but as promising as the two siblings sound as a unit, there may not be enough role players apart from them for the team to instantly qualify as a contender in the conference.
UCF Knights
2015 Record: 6-12
Predicted Record: 6-12
At 7’6”, Tacko Fall will be the main attraction for this aspiring UCF squad. Together with guard A.J. Davis, the two of them can make for some nifty plays and highlight reels. But beyond that pairing, the Knights have no other dependable contributors to lean on, which could put former Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins on the hot seat right away. The six wins from last season was the most that this school has won in the conference in four years, and it’ll be hard to top that feat with an uneven roster.
East Carolina Pirates
2015 Record: 4-14
Predicted Record: 6-12
Having Caleb White, B.J. Tyson and Kentrell barkley back as the team’s main scoring options is a good sign for East Carolina. However, the team failed to seal a winning conference record even when those three were at their best. It would take a breakout performance from a couple of their two new recruits for the Pirates to be taken seriously, and their additions have been mediocre at best.
South Florida Bulls
2015 Record: 4-14
Predicted Record: 4-14
The rowdy roster of South Florida last season couldn’t stay away from off-court trouble and that has ultimately hurt the team’s future (which is now). You can watch the Bulls’ games for standout guard Jahmal Murray and Michael Bibby Jr. – son of Mike Bibby of NBA fame – but those games will be frustratingly brutal in general.
Tulane Green Wave
2015 Record: 3-15
Predicted Record: 2-16
Just because Tulane hired former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy doesn’t mean that the team will be in for a massive turnaround. There will be growing pains for Dunleavy, especially if the team he inherited only has senior Malik Morgan as the only viable scoring option. The Green Wave has horrid on offense last season, and there’s no indication that they improved on that aspect in the offseason at all.
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