From the SMU Rivals (TheHillTopics.com) site...
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1. SMU (23-6, 14-3). The Mustangs couldn't extend their winning streak to six games against UConn on Sunday, but they are still the strongest team in this conference. The Huskies got great performances by Ryan Boatright and Daniel Hamilton, and a career game for Rodney Purvis. It was more that UConn won the game rather than SMU lost it. However, the loss puts Tulsa ahead in the conference standings, setting up a thrilling matchup in the two teams' final game of the regular season.
2. Tulsa (21-7, 14-2). Frank Haith's squad kept the winning going against Tulane and Memphis. The Golden Hurricane did need overtime to defeat the Tigers, but an SMU loss puts the team in first in the AAC. But keeping the top spot will be quite a challenge. The team takes on Cincinnati and then SMU to finish the season.
3. Cincinnati (20-9, 11-5). Two decisive wins last week over UCF and Tulane give the Bearcats firm momentum going in to their final games against Tulsa and Memphis. This team can't afford to lose with NCAA tournament aspirations on the line. These games will show whether this team fails to live up to the hype or has potential to be an early round upset later this month.
4. Temple (20-9, 11-5). The Owls did as they needed to and secured a double-digit victory over Houston. But the bigger story is the very close battle between them and Cincy. The two teams have identical records. Cincy beat Temple at home by 31, but then Temple beat the Bearcats by 16 at their place. The Owls play East Carolina and UConn this week.
5. Connecticut (17-11, 10-6). The Huskies showed against SMU on Sunday that they can beat just about any team if Ryan Boatright can get some assistance. Rodney Purvis played a stellar game, dominating inside and outside. Freshman Daniel Hamilton made a big contribution as well. If these three continue that production, UConn will be the team nobody wants to play in the AAC tournament.
6. Memphis (17-12, 9-7). A tough week for Memphis gave the Tigers two losses. The team surely had the talent to beat SMU or Tulsa, but the execution wasn't there. Shaq Goodwin scored 17 points in each of the losses though, and that production will be needed this week against UConn and Cincy.
7. Tulane (14-14, 5-11). The Green Wave couldn't put up much of a fight against Tulsa or Cincy last week. It puts them on a four-game losing streak, but they've got games against Houston and USF that could help them end the season on a high note.
8. East Carolina (13-16, 6-10). This team battled UCF for this spot, and the Pirates came out on top. The win over the Knights actually puts ECU at seventh in the AAC standings, the highest spot they've been in this season.
9. UCF (12-16, 5-12). After having a three-game winning streak, the Knights are now are in reverse and have lost three in a row. They close out the season against USF, a game that UCF should win.
10. Houston (10-18, 2-14). The Cougars got their rematch against USF and they did not disappoint. A 17-point win gave Houston some sweet revenge and another conference victory.
11. South Florida (8-21, 2-14). The Bulls on the other hand, crumbled under the bright lights. They lost their best chance to win another game this year, but they've still got UCF and Tulane to try to escape last place.
TheHillTopics.com
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1. SMU (23-6, 14-3). The Mustangs couldn't extend their winning streak to six games against UConn on Sunday, but they are still the strongest team in this conference. The Huskies got great performances by Ryan Boatright and Daniel Hamilton, and a career game for Rodney Purvis. It was more that UConn won the game rather than SMU lost it. However, the loss puts Tulsa ahead in the conference standings, setting up a thrilling matchup in the two teams' final game of the regular season.
2. Tulsa (21-7, 14-2). Frank Haith's squad kept the winning going against Tulane and Memphis. The Golden Hurricane did need overtime to defeat the Tigers, but an SMU loss puts the team in first in the AAC. But keeping the top spot will be quite a challenge. The team takes on Cincinnati and then SMU to finish the season.
3. Cincinnati (20-9, 11-5). Two decisive wins last week over UCF and Tulane give the Bearcats firm momentum going in to their final games against Tulsa and Memphis. This team can't afford to lose with NCAA tournament aspirations on the line. These games will show whether this team fails to live up to the hype or has potential to be an early round upset later this month.
4. Temple (20-9, 11-5). The Owls did as they needed to and secured a double-digit victory over Houston. But the bigger story is the very close battle between them and Cincy. The two teams have identical records. Cincy beat Temple at home by 31, but then Temple beat the Bearcats by 16 at their place. The Owls play East Carolina and UConn this week.
5. Connecticut (17-11, 10-6). The Huskies showed against SMU on Sunday that they can beat just about any team if Ryan Boatright can get some assistance. Rodney Purvis played a stellar game, dominating inside and outside. Freshman Daniel Hamilton made a big contribution as well. If these three continue that production, UConn will be the team nobody wants to play in the AAC tournament.
6. Memphis (17-12, 9-7). A tough week for Memphis gave the Tigers two losses. The team surely had the talent to beat SMU or Tulsa, but the execution wasn't there. Shaq Goodwin scored 17 points in each of the losses though, and that production will be needed this week against UConn and Cincy.
7. Tulane (14-14, 5-11). The Green Wave couldn't put up much of a fight against Tulsa or Cincy last week. It puts them on a four-game losing streak, but they've got games against Houston and USF that could help them end the season on a high note.
8. East Carolina (13-16, 6-10). This team battled UCF for this spot, and the Pirates came out on top. The win over the Knights actually puts ECU at seventh in the AAC standings, the highest spot they've been in this season.
9. UCF (12-16, 5-12). After having a three-game winning streak, the Knights are now are in reverse and have lost three in a row. They close out the season against USF, a game that UCF should win.
10. Houston (10-18, 2-14). The Cougars got their rematch against USF and they did not disappoint. A 17-point win gave Houston some sweet revenge and another conference victory.
11. South Florida (8-21, 2-14). The Bulls on the other hand, crumbled under the bright lights. They lost their best chance to win another game this year, but they've still got UCF and Tulane to try to escape last place.
TheHillTopics.com
