Season in Review
I watched a weird amount of the American Athletic Conference this year, but to be fair, it was really good basketball this year. Former back in 2014 with the remnants of the Big East, it is consistently produced good teams, from Louisville the first year after they won their championship, to SMU, Cincinnati, and Wichita State, the conference has quietly been very good. This was probably it's best season yet, top to bottom, with Houston cracking into the top 10 at one point, and currently has two teams ranked with UCF the first team outside of the top 25. With four teams currently in good position to make the tournament, the American could be well represented in March, but don't sleep on some of the lower seeds.
Bracket
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Contenders
Houston (29-2, 16-2)
The Cougars have been the class of the American all season. They went undefeated in non-conference play, and then lost just two games in the conference, winning the regular season title by two games.They are one of the best defensive teams in America, and they do an excellent job of challenging every shot. Teams are shooting 37.4% against the Cougs, the second lowest mark in the nation, and they don't fare better from deep (28.3%) than in the paint (43.7%). They also have the highest adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom in the conference, and they make 39.1% of their threes. Plus, the lead the conference in rebounding. So to recap: you can't score on them, they're popping threes in your face, and they control the glass.. Have fun.
Cincinnati (25-6, 14-4)
The Bearcats have been a consistent program under Mick Cronin, and this year was no different. Despite losing three of their top four scorers, Cincinnati barely missed a beat, winning 25 games and finishing second in the conference. When you're playing them, prepare for a brawl. They play as hard, if not harder, than any team in the nation, and they are physical. 40 minutes against them feels like 80 against any other team, and they have talent as well. They are second in offensive efficiency and third in defensive efficiency in the AAC, and while they aren't exactly sharpshooters, they grind out wins in a way that I don't think any other team in the country can. They feel like they would take the lunch money of the Bad Boy Pistons, and with their grit and physicality, they pose a unique challenge in a tournament setting.
Sleeper Teams
Memphis (19-12, 11-7)
The Tigers made noise this offseason by hiring Penny Hardaway as their head coach, and the move looks like it has paid off. Not only is Penny putting in work on the recruiting trail, but he has a pretty good product on the floor. He has the Tigers playing at a breakneck pace, sixth fastest tempo in the country, and it has them pouring in points, leading the AAC in points per game by 5. With stud senior Jeremiah Martin, who can go off at any moment, they would be a threat no matter what. However, the tournament is being held in Memphis, and the crowd should be heavily in their favor. Memphis is 15-2 at home this season, and their two losses came against Tennessee and Cincinnati. With a dynamic scorer, an up and down tempo, and home court advantage, it wouldn't be shocking to see Memphis make a super deep run.
Wichita State (17-13, 10-8)
A perennial powerhouse in the Missouri Valley, the Shockers transitioned last year and didn't miss a beat, going 14-4 and tying for second place in the conference. However, after losing basically their entire rotation, they struggled this season. However, the young Shockers clearly turned a corner in February, as starting on January 30, they went 9-2 down the stretch and played some really good basketball. Their numbers are still pretty down from a rough start to the year, but this team is hot at the right time, and they might be able to catch one of the higher seeds off guard and pick up a win.
Bubble Watch
UCF
Threat Level: Low
The Knights looked for a long time like they would be sitting on the bubble come Selection Sunday, with losses to Florida Atlantic, Missouri, and Wichita State, and wins over Alabama and Temple holding up their resume. However, after taking down Houston on the road and then Cincinnati at home, the Knights look very comfortably in the tournament right now. Bracket Matrix has them as the top 8 seed, so it would take a lot to drop them onto the bubble. If they were to lose to Tulane, that would probably do it, but that seems highly improbable, and they are probably playing for seeding at this point.
Temple
Threat Level: Sweating it Out
The Owls were really relying on a win over Houston being enough to get them in for a while, with losses to Penn and Tulsa dragging their resume down. However, they took down UCF on the final day of the season, which not only gave them another good win, but also the 3 seed, which means they avoid Houston and have an easier road to the finals. They are currently in the Last Four In on Bracket Matrix, so at the moment, they are very much hoping for no more bid thieves. They can't afford to lose their first game, and if they could make a run to the finals, that would go a long way in establishing themselves in the field.
Players to Watch
Corey Davis
Stats: 16.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1 SPG, 0 BPG, 43.1/38.5/85.5
The senior JuCo transfer has been excellent all season for Houston. He leads the team in scoring, and is eighth in the AAC. Not only can he light it up from deep, but he excels at attacking the rim, He's also a rock solid defender, like everyone of this team, and there are few players in the nation as well rounded as he is. He's also playing very well at the moment, coming off a career high 31 points in the last game of the season against Cincinnati and he's averaging 21 points a game over his last 10 contests. Look for him to lead the Cougars on a deep run this March.
Jarron Cumberland
Stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 40.5/40.4/78
One of the main reasons Cincinnati hasn't fallen off this season has been Cumberland. The junior is one of the best scorers in the conference, third in points per game, and he has stepped into an alpha role for the Bearcats to lead them offensively. He's a big, physical wing, and although he weirdly often struggles to finish at the rim, but he's a knockdown shooter from behind the arc, ranking sixth in the American in three point percentage at 40.4%. He has taken over games multiple times, including a 34 point performance to lead his team over South Florida. Look for him to play a key role in any Cincinnati game in this tournament.
Shizz Alston
Stats: 19.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 40.8/35.1/90.6
The senior point guard has been a key part in Fran Dunphy's final season in charge of the Owls. He is tied for the AAC lead in points per game while also ranking third in assists and steals, and has been amazing for the Owls all season. He's one of the best finishers at the rim in the conference, and when he can make his shots from deep, he's tough to contain. He's also hot coming into the tournament, averaging 23.5 points and 5.4 assists over the last 10 games, and he could lead them to a NCAA Tournament bid.
Jeremiah Martin
Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 46.8/37.3/74.1
Martin led the conference in scoring for the second straight year, and his average went up under Penny this season. If you just want to see a pure scorer, look no further than Martin, as the senior is liable to going absolutely unconscious. He scored 41 points against South Florida, which is an impressive feat, but becomes even more impressive when you consider all of them came in the second half. Over the last five games, Martin has scored 30+ three different times, and is averaging 31.6 points during that span. In what could be his final games, look for him to have big performances at home.
My All Conference Teams
First Team
G: Jeremiah Martin, Memphis
G: Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati
G: Shizz Alston, Temple
G: Corey Davis, Houston
F: Markis McDuffie, Wichita State
Second Team
G: Armani Brooks, Houston
G: Jahmal McMurray, SMU
G: BJ Taylor, UCF
F: Tacko Fall, UCF
F: Jayden Gardner, East Carolina
Third Team
G: Jalen Adams, UConn
G: Galen Robinson, Houston
G: LaQuincy Rideau, South Florida
G: Aubrey Dawkins, UCF
F: DaQuon Jeffries, Tulsa
My Pick: Houston over Temple
I am enamored with this Houston team, and I think they can make a lot of noise in the tournament that kicks off next week. I also think Temple will play really well in an effort to lock up a tournament berth, and get in by knocking off Cincinnati in the semifinals. Memphis takes down UCF in the quarters with a big performance from Jeremiah Martin, but it's the Cougars who take it all.
I watched a weird amount of the American Athletic Conference this year, but to be fair, it was really good basketball this year. Former back in 2014 with the remnants of the Big East, it is consistently produced good teams, from Louisville the first year after they won their championship, to SMU, Cincinnati, and Wichita State, the conference has quietly been very good. This was probably it's best season yet, top to bottom, with Houston cracking into the top 10 at one point, and currently has two teams ranked with UCF the first team outside of the top 25. With four teams currently in good position to make the tournament, the American could be well represented in March, but don't sleep on some of the lower seeds.
Bracket
Contenders
Houston (29-2, 16-2)
The Cougars have been the class of the American all season. They went undefeated in non-conference play, and then lost just two games in the conference, winning the regular season title by two games.They are one of the best defensive teams in America, and they do an excellent job of challenging every shot. Teams are shooting 37.4% against the Cougs, the second lowest mark in the nation, and they don't fare better from deep (28.3%) than in the paint (43.7%). They also have the highest adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom in the conference, and they make 39.1% of their threes. Plus, the lead the conference in rebounding. So to recap: you can't score on them, they're popping threes in your face, and they control the glass.. Have fun.
Cincinnati (25-6, 14-4)
The Bearcats have been a consistent program under Mick Cronin, and this year was no different. Despite losing three of their top four scorers, Cincinnati barely missed a beat, winning 25 games and finishing second in the conference. When you're playing them, prepare for a brawl. They play as hard, if not harder, than any team in the nation, and they are physical. 40 minutes against them feels like 80 against any other team, and they have talent as well. They are second in offensive efficiency and third in defensive efficiency in the AAC, and while they aren't exactly sharpshooters, they grind out wins in a way that I don't think any other team in the country can. They feel like they would take the lunch money of the Bad Boy Pistons, and with their grit and physicality, they pose a unique challenge in a tournament setting.
Sleeper Teams
Memphis (19-12, 11-7)
The Tigers made noise this offseason by hiring Penny Hardaway as their head coach, and the move looks like it has paid off. Not only is Penny putting in work on the recruiting trail, but he has a pretty good product on the floor. He has the Tigers playing at a breakneck pace, sixth fastest tempo in the country, and it has them pouring in points, leading the AAC in points per game by 5. With stud senior Jeremiah Martin, who can go off at any moment, they would be a threat no matter what. However, the tournament is being held in Memphis, and the crowd should be heavily in their favor. Memphis is 15-2 at home this season, and their two losses came against Tennessee and Cincinnati. With a dynamic scorer, an up and down tempo, and home court advantage, it wouldn't be shocking to see Memphis make a super deep run.
Wichita State (17-13, 10-8)
A perennial powerhouse in the Missouri Valley, the Shockers transitioned last year and didn't miss a beat, going 14-4 and tying for second place in the conference. However, after losing basically their entire rotation, they struggled this season. However, the young Shockers clearly turned a corner in February, as starting on January 30, they went 9-2 down the stretch and played some really good basketball. Their numbers are still pretty down from a rough start to the year, but this team is hot at the right time, and they might be able to catch one of the higher seeds off guard and pick up a win.
Bubble Watch
UCF
Threat Level: Low
The Knights looked for a long time like they would be sitting on the bubble come Selection Sunday, with losses to Florida Atlantic, Missouri, and Wichita State, and wins over Alabama and Temple holding up their resume. However, after taking down Houston on the road and then Cincinnati at home, the Knights look very comfortably in the tournament right now. Bracket Matrix has them as the top 8 seed, so it would take a lot to drop them onto the bubble. If they were to lose to Tulane, that would probably do it, but that seems highly improbable, and they are probably playing for seeding at this point.
Temple
Threat Level: Sweating it Out
The Owls were really relying on a win over Houston being enough to get them in for a while, with losses to Penn and Tulsa dragging their resume down. However, they took down UCF on the final day of the season, which not only gave them another good win, but also the 3 seed, which means they avoid Houston and have an easier road to the finals. They are currently in the Last Four In on Bracket Matrix, so at the moment, they are very much hoping for no more bid thieves. They can't afford to lose their first game, and if they could make a run to the finals, that would go a long way in establishing themselves in the field.
Players to Watch
Corey Davis
Stats: 16.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1 SPG, 0 BPG, 43.1/38.5/85.5
The senior JuCo transfer has been excellent all season for Houston. He leads the team in scoring, and is eighth in the AAC. Not only can he light it up from deep, but he excels at attacking the rim, He's also a rock solid defender, like everyone of this team, and there are few players in the nation as well rounded as he is. He's also playing very well at the moment, coming off a career high 31 points in the last game of the season against Cincinnati and he's averaging 21 points a game over his last 10 contests. Look for him to lead the Cougars on a deep run this March.
Jarron Cumberland
Stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 40.5/40.4/78
One of the main reasons Cincinnati hasn't fallen off this season has been Cumberland. The junior is one of the best scorers in the conference, third in points per game, and he has stepped into an alpha role for the Bearcats to lead them offensively. He's a big, physical wing, and although he weirdly often struggles to finish at the rim, but he's a knockdown shooter from behind the arc, ranking sixth in the American in three point percentage at 40.4%. He has taken over games multiple times, including a 34 point performance to lead his team over South Florida. Look for him to play a key role in any Cincinnati game in this tournament.
Shizz Alston
Stats: 19.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 40.8/35.1/90.6
The senior point guard has been a key part in Fran Dunphy's final season in charge of the Owls. He is tied for the AAC lead in points per game while also ranking third in assists and steals, and has been amazing for the Owls all season. He's one of the best finishers at the rim in the conference, and when he can make his shots from deep, he's tough to contain. He's also hot coming into the tournament, averaging 23.5 points and 5.4 assists over the last 10 games, and he could lead them to a NCAA Tournament bid.
Jeremiah Martin
Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 46.8/37.3/74.1
Martin led the conference in scoring for the second straight year, and his average went up under Penny this season. If you just want to see a pure scorer, look no further than Martin, as the senior is liable to going absolutely unconscious. He scored 41 points against South Florida, which is an impressive feat, but becomes even more impressive when you consider all of them came in the second half. Over the last five games, Martin has scored 30+ three different times, and is averaging 31.6 points during that span. In what could be his final games, look for him to have big performances at home.
My All Conference Teams
First Team
G: Jeremiah Martin, Memphis
G: Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati
G: Shizz Alston, Temple
G: Corey Davis, Houston
F: Markis McDuffie, Wichita State
Second Team
G: Armani Brooks, Houston
G: Jahmal McMurray, SMU
G: BJ Taylor, UCF
F: Tacko Fall, UCF
F: Jayden Gardner, East Carolina
Third Team
G: Jalen Adams, UConn
G: Galen Robinson, Houston
G: LaQuincy Rideau, South Florida
G: Aubrey Dawkins, UCF
F: DaQuon Jeffries, Tulsa
My Pick: Houston over Temple
I am enamored with this Houston team, and I think they can make a lot of noise in the tournament that kicks off next week. I also think Temple will play really well in an effort to lock up a tournament berth, and get in by knocking off Cincinnati in the semifinals. Memphis takes down UCF in the quarters with a big performance from Jeremiah Martin, but it's the Cougars who take it all.
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