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Just for fun on a slow day...what are everyone's thoughts on the teams in the AAC this year? Unlike last year where the league was top heavy with UConn, Ville, Memphis, Cincy and SMU, I see this year having more balance. Here is how I would predict the league before the season:
Tier 1: The c0-favorites
UConn
SMU
I think these teams are the clear cut co-favorites to win the league. SMU losing Mudiay hurts them, but they return almost from last year, and some of their younger players will be more seasoned. Larry Brown is obviously a great coach. I think UConn and SMU will battle it out for the league title.
Tier 2: NCAA/Bubble Teams
Memphis
Cincinnati
Tulsa
Temple
These teams will decide how good this league is perceived. Memphis loses those 4 senior guards, but returns an impressive front court, and has some interesting pieces they added in the offseason. As always team chemistry may be an issue, and their coach has a reputation for not being able to beat teams better than him. Cincinnati loses A LOT, but their style will keep them in enough games that I can see them as a tournament team. Tulsa is interesting. New coach, new league, but they return most of their team from last year that played so well down the stretch and won the C-USA tournament. I could see them sneaking up on some people. And finally, Temple. I know a lot of people are down on them, and they did lose Lee. But they lost a LOT of close games last year, they have more depth this year with all of their transfers, and I just think Dunphy is too good a coach to have another year like last year. They may not be a tournament team, but I think they could be right on the bubble, just like Tulsa.
Tier 3: NIT
Houston
Say what you want about Sampson. Shaddy guy, but a good coach. Losing Thomas and House hurts them big time for this year, but they still have some talent, and Sampson will slowly build this program back up to respectability. But I think they will struggle this year.
Tier 4: The Basement
UCF
USF
East Carolina
Tulane
New league for East Carolina and Tulane. USF has a new coach but a real lack of talent right now. UCF has been patient with their coach, but how much longer will they wait for some results? These teams will struggle to beat anyone besides each other in this league.
So my pre-season rankings would be as follows:
1. UConn (co-favorites)
1. SMU (co-favorites)
3. Memphis
4. Cincinnati
5. Tulsa
6. Temple
7. Houston
8. USF
9. UCF
10. East Carolina
11. Tulane
This could be a 3-4 bid league next year if the Tier 2 teams struggle. They will need to win some games against OOC competition. Memphis and Cincy have decent schedules, as does Temple. Tulsa is the real wild card here. Thoughts?
Tier 1: The c0-favorites
UConn
SMU
I think these teams are the clear cut co-favorites to win the league. SMU losing Mudiay hurts them, but they return almost from last year, and some of their younger players will be more seasoned. Larry Brown is obviously a great coach. I think UConn and SMU will battle it out for the league title.
Tier 2: NCAA/Bubble Teams
Memphis
Cincinnati
Tulsa
Temple
These teams will decide how good this league is perceived. Memphis loses those 4 senior guards, but returns an impressive front court, and has some interesting pieces they added in the offseason. As always team chemistry may be an issue, and their coach has a reputation for not being able to beat teams better than him. Cincinnati loses A LOT, but their style will keep them in enough games that I can see them as a tournament team. Tulsa is interesting. New coach, new league, but they return most of their team from last year that played so well down the stretch and won the C-USA tournament. I could see them sneaking up on some people. And finally, Temple. I know a lot of people are down on them, and they did lose Lee. But they lost a LOT of close games last year, they have more depth this year with all of their transfers, and I just think Dunphy is too good a coach to have another year like last year. They may not be a tournament team, but I think they could be right on the bubble, just like Tulsa.
Tier 3: NIT
Houston
Say what you want about Sampson. Shaddy guy, but a good coach. Losing Thomas and House hurts them big time for this year, but they still have some talent, and Sampson will slowly build this program back up to respectability. But I think they will struggle this year.
Tier 4: The Basement
UCF
USF
East Carolina
Tulane
New league for East Carolina and Tulane. USF has a new coach but a real lack of talent right now. UCF has been patient with their coach, but how much longer will they wait for some results? These teams will struggle to beat anyone besides each other in this league.
So my pre-season rankings would be as follows:
1. UConn (co-favorites)
1. SMU (co-favorites)
3. Memphis
4. Cincinnati
5. Tulsa
6. Temple
7. Houston
8. USF
9. UCF
10. East Carolina
11. Tulane
This could be a 3-4 bid league next year if the Tier 2 teams struggle. They will need to win some games against OOC competition. Memphis and Cincy have decent schedules, as does Temple. Tulsa is the real wild card here. Thoughts?
