American Athletic Conference Preview 2021
Our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 projects the top two teams in this conference to be the Houston Cougars and Memphis Tigers. Additionally, the SMU Mustangs and Wichita State Shockers will be competitive. Still, Houston and Memphis start the season as the only two AAC teams in the AP Top 25 Preseason Men’s Basketball poll. The Cougars are ranked 15th and the Tigers are 12th.
American Athletic Conference Basketball Preview
1. Houston Cougars (28-4, 14-3)
After two straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019, last season, the Houston Cougars battled their way to their first Final Four appearance in 37 years. Head coach Kevin Sampson (167-64 Houston/7 years, 592-291 Overall/28 years) has pledged that the Cougars will be back. All-AAC Second-Team pick Marcus Sasser (13.7 PPG, 2.6 APG) is the backcourt anchor. The frontcourt is deep, as senior forward Fabian White, a fine three-point shooter, returns from an ACL injury, and sophomore J’Wan Roberts looks ready to take on an expanded role.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: 15
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 5
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Sweet 16
2. Memphis Tigers (20-8, 11-4)
Our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 sees the Memphis Tigers getting back to the Big Dance after spending the last two postseasons playing in the NIT. Center DeAndre Williams will be the primary man in the paint, as the Tigers go with four guards. Last season, Williams averaged 11.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.4 APG. He also shot 49.7 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from downtown. In back, Landers Nolley II and Lester Quinones averaged 13.1 and 9.5 PPG respectively. Alex Lomas starts at the point having recorded 6.0 PPG and 4.2 APG. Head coach Penny Hardaway (63-32 Memphis/Overall/3 years) has developed this team into a hearty competitor quickly.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: 12
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 35
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Round of 64
3. SMU Mustangs (19-7, 10-4)
Head coach Tim Jankovich (101-55 SMU/6 years, 258-176 Overall/15 years) has a very talented team. Senior guard Kendric Davis (19.0 PPG, 7.6 APG) is a premium shooter and distributor. Emmanuel Bandoumel, SMU’s third leading scorer last season, also returns. There’s plenty of depth in back. In front, transfer Tristan Clark (Baylor), a star for the Bears, comes to the Mustangs with injury issues. If he’s healthy, he’ll be a major asset. Junior Isaiah Jasey brings plenty of experience to the paint.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 59
Postseason Tournament: NIT
4. Wichita State Shockers (16-6, 11-2)
Wichita State head coach Isaac Brown (16-6 Wichita State/Overall/1 year) did fine work in his initial year. They topped the AAC and landed an at-large berth to the Big Dance. In the First Four, they lost to Drake by one point. The Shockers got great news when AAC Player of the Year Tyson Etienne decided to return. Last season, the guard hit 39.2 percent of his threes while averaging 16.3 PPG. Our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that also returning are key players big-bodied forward Morris Udeze (10.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG) and high-energy front man Monzy Jackson (5.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG). For his efforts, Brown received a five-year contract extension as well as the AAC Coach of the Year award.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 70
Postseason Tournament: NIT
5. UCF Knights (11-12, 8-10)
Head coach Johnny Dawkins (94-60 UCF/5 years, 250-175 Overall/12 years) has managed to hang onto just about the entire team from last season. The experience should pay off, and it goes a long way in making UCF a dark horse candidate. Last season, the Knights improved defensively and were very stingy down the stretch. Three guards, all double-digit scorers return, as Darius Perry leads the way with 14.7 PPG. Also in back, Brandon Mahan (12.3 PPG, 43.8 3PT%) hit 91 percent of his frees. Darius Green Jr., a defensive liability, posted 11.3 PPG. In the paint, Isaiah Adams, an AAC All-Rookie honoree, was good for 9.9 PPG and 3.9 RPG. This team is deep.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 103
Postseason Tournament: None
6. Cincinnati Bearcats (12-11, 8-6)
The Bearcats are recovering from a tumultuous season and postseason. Our American Athletic basketball preview 2021 - 2022 observes that it was a rollercoaster year that ended with Cincinnati missing a tournament berth for the first time in 11 years. Players bolted via the transfer portal while the school investigated coach John Brannen. Brannen, who had coached the team for two years, was fired, and Wes Miller hired. Under Miller, UNC Greensboro took down three Southern Conference regular-season titles, won at least 20 games in each of the last five seasons, and took the team to two NCAA appearances. Miller managed to talk some transfers into returning, used the portal to snare talented players, and has some young guys who look promising. There’s a sound core here that will work with a coach who brings youthful energy and a winning way to the program.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 121
Postseason Tournament: None
7. Temple Owls (5-11, 4-10)
The Owls, who finished tied for eighth in the AAC, struggled last season. As the year went on, their play disintegrated partly due to COVID and partly due to inconsistent play. Our American Athletic basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that last season Damian Dunn (13.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG) was one of the top freshman in the league. Junior Khalif Battle (15.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG) returns as the team’s top scorer. Senior forward Jake Forrester (9.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG) anchors the paint. To excel, this trio and others will need to develop and push forward. Head coach Aaron McKie (19-28 Temple/Overall/2 years) will try to get them there.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 160
Postseason Tournament: None
8. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (11-12, 7-9)
Head coach Frank Haith (127-88 Tulsa/7 years, 332-217 Overall/17 years) managed to recruit two promising freshmen, as guards Sterling Gaston-Chapman and Anthony Pritchard join the team. UT-Arlington transfer Sam Griffin brings scoring chops to the backcourt, averaging 13.3 PPG and connecting on threes 39.0 percent of the time. Sophomore guard Peyton Urbanic should see his minutes expand. He can hit three-pointers in bunches. The front includes center Nikita Konstantynovski (11.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and junior college transfer forward Tim Daiger (18.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG). There’s some fine talent that needs to be formed into a team as they continue to develop.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 127
Postseason Tournament: None
9. Southern Florida Bulls (9-13, 4-10)
The Bulls lost a slew of major talent. Head coach Brian Gregory (57-66 South Florida/4 years, 305-246 Overall/17 years) has brought in transfers and recruits as just three players from last season return. Our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that George Mason transfer Javon Greene will start at guard. He’s a versatile offensive player. AAC All-Rookie Caleb Murphy will start opposite Greene. Top-75 freshman recruit Corey Walker Jr. brings exceptional talent to the frontcourt and Triton junior college transfer D.J. Patrick can score upfront and pop out to hit threes at a rate of 44 percent. There’s even more talent to consider, but, also, a lot of work to do before they’re playing like a team.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 200
Postseason Tournament: None
10. Tulane Green Wave (10-13, 4-12)
As head coach Ron Hunter (22-31 Tulane/2 years, 414-305 Overall/23 years) starts his third season at the helm of the Green Wave, expectations are that this team is ready to have a breakthrough season. Hunter has a talented but young group. In fact, this team is deep. Quality players include LSU transfer Jalen Cook at guard, UNC-Asheville transfer DeVon Baker, a double-digit scorer and 44.8 percent three-point shooter, and returning forward Kevin Cross, a fine two-way player. Sophomore guard Jaylen Forbes (16.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG) is one of the AAC’s top performers.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 158
Postseason Tournament: None
11. East Carolina Pirates (8-11, 2-10)
Our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 observes that things are not good for coach Joe Dooley (84-104 East Carolina/7 years, 300-162 Overall/12 years). Dooley lost top AAC senior forward Jayden Gardner to Virginia, which means the coach is without an anchor. Plus, other quality players are gone. Four Pirates who last season averaged a minimum of eight points per game return, including J.J. Miles (9.8 PPG) and Brandon Suggs (9.6 PPG). Three Power Five transfers join the team with the best being Wynston Tabbs (13.3 PPG). Last place is almost assured.
AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 175
Postseason Tournament: None
American Athletic Conference Basketball Preview 2021 – Final Thoughts
This conference will likely see two teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Both Houston and Memphis bring sound units to the court. As we noted earlier, SMU and Wichita State possess potential. Additionally, if UCF and Cincinnati can play consistently, they will be dangerous. However, after that, our American Athletic Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that there’s a sharp fall off as far as the other five teams are concerned.