The American Athletic Conference may just be one of the most exciting collections of teams in college football. It is rife with contenders with the likes of Connecticut, SMU and Cincinnati all contending for a league title. These teams, with the exception of SMU (more on that later), could earn themselves a berth in the National Tournament with solid seasons.
Who takes the title in a crowded conference? Read on for everything you need to know about this exciting league. Want to know it all in college basketball? Check out our complete previews for the West Coast Conference and the Big Ten.
[sc:MarchMadness ]2015-16 NCAA Season American Athletic Conference Preview
1. Connecticut Huskies
2014 Record: 10-8
Predicted Record: 15-3
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]The Connecticut Huskies will be raring for a return to the Big Dance this season after failing to make the National Tournament last year. The Huskies signed one of the nation’s top point guard recruits in Jalen Adams, while transfer Sterling Gibbs should further add to Connecticut’s depth. Gibbs averaged 16.3 points per game on 43 percent shooting with Seton Hall last season.
The Huskies have firepower all over the court with wingers Daniel Hamilton and Rodney Purvis taking turns at the three spot and with Amidah Brimah and Shonn Miller powering them up front. The Huskies have a big shot at winning the AAC this season, thus making a return to the National Tournament.
2. SMU Mustangs
2014 Record: 15-3
Predicted Record: 14-4
The SMU Mustangs face a postseason ban by the NCAA due to multiple violations, including academic fraud and unethical conduct. Head coach Larry Brown will also be suspended for nine games in the upcoming season for his lack of control.
Despite all their issues, the Mustangs have a deep lineup that could shake up the AAC. Markus Kennedy and transfer Jordan Tolbert are solid weapons for point guard Nic Moore, who figures to lead the offense after posting team-highs of 14.5 points and 5.1 assists per game last year.
3. Cincinnati Bearcats
2014 Record: 13-5
Predicted Record: 14-4
Cincinnati will be very competitive atop the AAC this year with some key returnees. The Bearcats are pretty deep in the frontcourt with Octavius Ellis and Gary Clark dominating the boards. Ellis averaged team-highs of 9.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Clark averaged 7.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The two will have a solid point guard directing the offense. Troy Caupain was an excellent playmaker last season, regularly filling the stat sheet with 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
4. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
2014 Record: 14-4
Predicted Record: 13-5
The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes return a bunch of key players from last season, which should keep them afloat in a competitive conference. The backcourt tandem of James Woodward and Shaquille Harrison should spur Tulsa to a successful season. Woodward led the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game last season, while Harrison was your overall point guard with 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals per game.
5. Temple Owls
2014 Record: 13-5
Predicted Record: 11-7
A 26-11 record wasn’t enough to give the Temple Owls a berth in the Big Dance last March. Their chances of earning an invite to the National Tournament took a big hit after the graduation of All-AAC First Team player Will Cummings. But the Owls do have the duo of Quenton DeCosey (12.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season) and Josh Brown (6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game) to minimize the sting.
6. Memphis Tigers
2014 Record: 10-8
Predicted Record: 9-9
It’s going to be a headache to replace the best player of your team, even more if you fail to nab any notable recruits. Such is the Memphis Tigers’ dilemma after last year’s leading scorer Austin Nichols transferred to Virginia, while recruiting target Jaylen Fisher signed with UNLV instead. The Tigers will also miss backcourt starter Kedren Johnson due to a shoulder injury.
Despite an offseason to forget for Memphis, they still have returning forwards Shaq Goodwin and Trashon Burrell. Goodwin was solid with 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season, while Burrell chipped in 9.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
7. Houston Cougars
2014 Record: 4-14
Predicted Record: 8-10
The Houston Cougars won just four games in the conference last season, but that should improve considering they return a handful of key players. Devonta Pollard and Danrad Knowles return after solid outings last year. Pollard averaged 11.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Knowles was barely a step behind with 9.9 points and 5.6 boards per game.
The Cougars could also look for plenty of production from the perimeter with incoming transfers Ronnie Johnson (Purdue) and Damyean Dotson (Oregon).
8. East Carolina Pirates
2014 Record: 6-12
Predicted Record: 7-11
The East Carolina Pirates showed some improvements going 14-19 last season. They figure to get even better this time around with two of the top three scorers returning this year. B.J. Tyson and Caleb White return after scoring 12.5 and 12.2 points per game respectively last season. They’ll have a boost with the addition of talented recruit point guard Charles Foster.
9. Tulane Green Wave
2014 Record: 6-12
Predicted Record: 5-13
Tulane’s Louis Dabney can be a monster scorer for the Green Wave. But he’s the only key piece remaining in head coach Ed Conroy’s system. It’s going to take time before the newcomers find their bearings, which may be too late for the Green Wave to make a major push toward the top of the conference.
10. UCF Knights
2014 Record: 5-13
Predicted Record: 4-14
The UCF Knights have two bright young players powering their backcourt in B.J. Taylor and Adonys Henriquez. Taylor and Henriquez topped the Knights in scoring last season, averaging 12.8 and 10.8 points per game respectively. But UCF still don’t have enough talent in the frontcourt to keep up on the boards against opponents, which may have them placing near the bottom of the conference.
11. South Florida Bulls
2014 Record: 3-15
Predicted Record: 2-16
Junior forward Chris Perry is a potential All-AAC player after breaking out with 10.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. He’ll have some help from Maryland transfer Roddy Peters to take care of the playmaking, while Troy Holston Jr. figures to get even better after averaging 7.9 points per game in his rookie season. Despite all the talent, the Bulls are still a season or two away from competing in the conference.
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