So the SMU Rivals site is doing a power ranking for AAC Basketball. Here's the one they released today, which claims that Tulsa's win over Wichita State was somehow the first victory over a ranked team in TU history. I'm scratching my head on where they came up with that one...
1. SMU (3-0). The Mustangs were scared by Yale but the Bulldogs were a loss away from dancing last March and the performance does nothing to cast any doubt that SMU is still the team to beat after winning the American last year. Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy are on a mission after the sanctions and the SMU supporting cast is better than it's ever been. The convincing win against Stanford and the convincing win against Yale prove that Tim Jankovich is more than capable as Larry Brown's successor. If the Mustangs run the table with Jankovich at the reigns, SMU's biggest issue this offseason could be another team hiring Brown's heir apparent away.
2. Connecticut (3-0). The loss of a player like Ryan Boatright would be tough for most teams to overcome but UConn returns so much talent and added so much more that the Huskies turn out to be even better than the one that won the NCAA Tournament two seasons ago. The new core of Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Amida Brimah holds three easy games but faces its first challenge this week against Michigan. That will be a real litmus test for how far this iteration of UConn can go.
3. Tulsa (4-0). The Golden Hurricane scored the first trademark win of the season for the American with a 77-67 win over No. 9 Wichita State. It was the first victory over a ranked team in Tulsa's history and shows that Frank Haith has something special brewing in Oklahoma. Tulsa is a veteran team led by Shaquille Harrison and Marquel Curtis and will have another chance at a high-profile win against South Carolina on Monday.
4. Cincinnati (4-0). The Bearcats are off to fast start after Mick Cronin returned following his medical leave of absence last season. They have left no doubt, winning each game by at least 25 points and even beating Robert Morris by an astounding 65 points. Cincy is well-balanced, with each starter capable of carrying the team on any given night.
5. Memphis (2-1). Memphis lost a close one to No. 8 Oklahoma at home. The Tigers were ahead by one point with under two minutes left but OU finished on a 9-2 run to take the win. The Tigers will have the chance to prove themselves again Friday with a matchup against Ohio State.
6. Temple (1-3). The Owls front-loaded their schedule and it did not pay off. Temple lost to No. 1 North Carolina, No. 22 Butler and No. 16 Utah in a span of four games and those losses could come back to haunt not just Temple on Selection Sunday but the rest of the American as well. If Temple beats some top-tier American teams during the course of the season, the Owls' premium losses will be pointed at as some sign that the American is not ready to compete with the big boys. Again.
7. Houston (2-0). The Cougars won handily against Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M but neither opponent was particularly formidable. The encouraging sign for Houston is that former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer Devonta Pollard is finally tapping into his vast potential. He is shooting 66.7% from the field and averaging 20.5 points in only 24 minutes per game while contributing in a number of other ways. If Pollard can continue this then the Cougars could be ready to take the next step in the American.
8. East Carolina (2-1). The Pirates lost by only eight points on the road against No. 15 California, an impressive showing for ECU. Now East Carolina has to see if it can replicate that success Monday against San Diego State.
9. UCF (1-2). The Knights lost a couple of close games to two solid opponents in Davidson and UC-Irvine but UCF lacks the guy who can go and win a nail-biter for the team.
10. Tulane (2-2). Not a great start for the Green Wave this year, with losses to Southern University and Alabama A&M already blotching their record. Tulane is still a long way from competing in the AAC.
11. USF (0-4). Year-two in Tampa for Orlando Antigua looks no better than year-one. It's going to feel even worse when the Bulls play his old team Kentucky on Friday.
1. SMU (3-0). The Mustangs were scared by Yale but the Bulldogs were a loss away from dancing last March and the performance does nothing to cast any doubt that SMU is still the team to beat after winning the American last year. Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy are on a mission after the sanctions and the SMU supporting cast is better than it's ever been. The convincing win against Stanford and the convincing win against Yale prove that Tim Jankovich is more than capable as Larry Brown's successor. If the Mustangs run the table with Jankovich at the reigns, SMU's biggest issue this offseason could be another team hiring Brown's heir apparent away.
2. Connecticut (3-0). The loss of a player like Ryan Boatright would be tough for most teams to overcome but UConn returns so much talent and added so much more that the Huskies turn out to be even better than the one that won the NCAA Tournament two seasons ago. The new core of Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Amida Brimah holds three easy games but faces its first challenge this week against Michigan. That will be a real litmus test for how far this iteration of UConn can go.
3. Tulsa (4-0). The Golden Hurricane scored the first trademark win of the season for the American with a 77-67 win over No. 9 Wichita State. It was the first victory over a ranked team in Tulsa's history and shows that Frank Haith has something special brewing in Oklahoma. Tulsa is a veteran team led by Shaquille Harrison and Marquel Curtis and will have another chance at a high-profile win against South Carolina on Monday.
4. Cincinnati (4-0). The Bearcats are off to fast start after Mick Cronin returned following his medical leave of absence last season. They have left no doubt, winning each game by at least 25 points and even beating Robert Morris by an astounding 65 points. Cincy is well-balanced, with each starter capable of carrying the team on any given night.
5. Memphis (2-1). Memphis lost a close one to No. 8 Oklahoma at home. The Tigers were ahead by one point with under two minutes left but OU finished on a 9-2 run to take the win. The Tigers will have the chance to prove themselves again Friday with a matchup against Ohio State.
6. Temple (1-3). The Owls front-loaded their schedule and it did not pay off. Temple lost to No. 1 North Carolina, No. 22 Butler and No. 16 Utah in a span of four games and those losses could come back to haunt not just Temple on Selection Sunday but the rest of the American as well. If Temple beats some top-tier American teams during the course of the season, the Owls' premium losses will be pointed at as some sign that the American is not ready to compete with the big boys. Again.
7. Houston (2-0). The Cougars won handily against Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M but neither opponent was particularly formidable. The encouraging sign for Houston is that former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer Devonta Pollard is finally tapping into his vast potential. He is shooting 66.7% from the field and averaging 20.5 points in only 24 minutes per game while contributing in a number of other ways. If Pollard can continue this then the Cougars could be ready to take the next step in the American.
8. East Carolina (2-1). The Pirates lost by only eight points on the road against No. 15 California, an impressive showing for ECU. Now East Carolina has to see if it can replicate that success Monday against San Diego State.
9. UCF (1-2). The Knights lost a couple of close games to two solid opponents in Davidson and UC-Irvine but UCF lacks the guy who can go and win a nail-biter for the team.
10. Tulane (2-2). Not a great start for the Green Wave this year, with losses to Southern University and Alabama A&M already blotching their record. Tulane is still a long way from competing in the AAC.
11. USF (0-4). Year-two in Tampa for Orlando Antigua looks no better than year-one. It's going to feel even worse when the Bulls play his old team Kentucky on Friday.
