American have strongest teams in tournament

[HuskyHawk]

So says some guy at Forbes.

Here’s an early March Madness trivia question: Which conference has the most teams by percentage in the Big Dance of any other? The answer could be the inaugural American Athletic Conference, which will have at least five of its 10 (50 percent) in the tourney. The only other conference that figures to match it is the Big 12, which will also have at least five of its 10 invited.
One could argue that the AAC has the best group of five teams of any conference as four (Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis and surprising SMU) are ranked in the Top 25 and Connecticut is the top unranked team in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls this week

Good press I guess, given that we may be stuck here for awhile.

 

[ctchamps]

So says some guy at Forbes.



Good press I guess, given that we may be stuck here for awhile.

Now we have a name and face to @upstater! And yes this type of press is valuable for recruiting and future media contracts.

 

[upstater]

Now we have a name and face to @upstater! And yes this type of press is valuable for recruiting and future media contracts.

A face only a mother could love.

 

[ctchamps]

A face only a mother could love.

That guy stated everyone of your arguments. I guess it's not just the Connecticut rag crew that comes to the Boneyard for ideas.

 

[upstater]

That guy stated everyone of your arguments. I guess it's not just the Connecticut rag crew that comes to the Boneyard for ideas.

I'm actually underwhelmed by the conference this year. I knew SMU would be this good, but I expected much more from Temple and Houston. Even USF and UCF should be roughly where Houston is. And Rutgers is putrid. I thought the conference was going to be a lot tougher than this. Well, at least we're getting rid of Rutgers.

All I know is that Temple and Houston better get their act together ASAP.

 

[UChusky916]

Kind of agree with this guy.
UConn, SMU, UL, Cinci, and Memphis all have the 2 biggest things that are important come March:

-Great defensive efficiency
-Great guards

Wouldn't surprise me to see one or even 2 American teams in the final 4 this year. I think most will make it at least a round further than each is expected to go.

 

[ctchamps]

I'm actually underwhelmed by the conference this year. I knew SMU would be this good, but I expected much more from Temple and Houston. Even USF and UCF should be roughly where Houston is. And Rutgers is putrid. I thought the conference was going to be a lot tougher than this. Well, at least we're getting rid of Rutgers.

All I know is that Temple and Houston better get their act together ASAP.

Probably the only disappointment from my point of view is Houston. Knew Temple was going to have a down year. USF lost the point guard who plays the role of Bazz for that team. And Houston has redeemed itself somewhat lately.

 

[jfuchs91]

Kind of agree with this guy.
UConn, SMU, UL, Cinci, and Memphis all have the 2 biggest things that are important come March:

-Great defensive efficiency
-Great guards

Wouldn't surprise me to see one or even 2 American teams in the final 4 this year. I think most will make it at least a round further than each is expected to go.

If the American were somehow able to get two teams into the Final Four this year, it would be amazing for the perception of the conference.

I do really think that looking at many of the projected brackets, that AAC teams are generally slotted too low. But a good showing in the NCAA Tournament this year is very important for the American Conference.

 

[ctchamps]

If the American were somehow able to get two teams into the Final Four this year, it would be amazing for the perception of the conference.

I do really think that looking at many of the projected brackets, that AAC teams are generally slotted too low. But a good showing in the NCAA Tournament this year is very important for the American Conference.

Another week like this past week and a lot of the stubborn voters who are insisting on maintaining pre and early season perceptions will reconsider that viewpoint.

It's hard to believe there is only one week left in the regular season. And it's a huge week for lot's of teams this year. Normally things are pretty well established with just 8-10 teams vying for the right side of the bubble. But this year only a few teams are set for the seeding. Just crazy.

 

[Kitaman]

Now all we need is for an AAC non-ranked team to win the Tourney and then the inaugural conference will have 6 teams repping.

Wait ................did I just say that?

 

[Pudge]

I'm actually underwhelmed by the conference this year. I knew SMU would be this good, but I expected much more from Temple and Houston. Even USF and UCF should be roughly where Houston is. And Rutgers is putrid. I thought the conference was going to be a lot tougher than this. Well, at least we're getting rid of Rutgers.

All I know is that Temple and Houston better get their act together ASAP.

I agree ... except for the SMU comment.

SMU, with Larry Brown, is having a transformative year. A tough, hardworking Team. They have pulled in the athletes; but, lots of Universities have gone on great series of recruiting wins. (a NC State or a Texas or a Illinois or a St John's) Brown has created a winning culture whereby they are going to continue to develop, We have seen this ... Jim Calhoun 1990-1993.

You are absolutely right on the dregs of this conference. No excuse for Rutgers sucking the way they do; Eddie Jordan retained some good players from the Rice fallout. USF is far less than they were in the last 3 years. UCF is getting a wake-up call; do you like losing by 40? And TEMPLE? This is a monumentally poor performance from a damn good coach; can't understand how this roster got this way. And, Houston ... I believe ... is actually far more talented than their record. They should be a better more competitive team GIVEN what I see as some solid length and talent.

American Athletic Conference is well positioned with some tough teams. It could have been better.

 

[metsfan2323]

All I know is that Temple and Houston better get their act together ASAP.

After reading the Houston board it seems likely their coach will be fired. Next year is the last year of his contract and nobody there is happy. If Houston can find a top level coach they can be a tournament team next year with good talent returning. BTW I also read that Houston is building their own $40 million basketball practice facility so they are serious about basketball.

If Houston, Temple and Tulsa can rediscover themselves this league will be a beast next year. Tulsa has a decent shot at winning the CUSA tournament this year and the bulk of their team are sophomores. Danny Manning seems to be turning things around at Tulsa.

 

[tzznandrew]

After reading the Houston board it seems likely their coach will be fired. Next year is the last year of his contract and nobody there is happy. If Houston can find a top level coach they can be a tournament team next year with good talent returning. BTW I also read that Houston is building their own $40 million basketball practice facility so they are serious about basketball.

If Houston, Temple and Tulsa can rediscover themselves this league will be a beast next year. Tulsa has a decent shot at winning the CUSA tournament this year and the bulk of their team are sophomores. Danny Manning seems to be turning things around at Tulsa.

Beast is strong. UConn, Memphis, and Cincy all lose key parts (i.e. their best players). And Louisville leaves. It has some potential next year, but not to be one of the best 2-3 conferences. More likely, it's A-10 like, with SMU being just really good, and UConn, Memphis, and Cincy potentially growing into really good teams by the end of the year.

 

[James]

Idk about those other teams but next we have top 5 in the country potential. Losing an AA but gaining two burger boys (Hamilton shoulda been) with uber talent as well as another big body . Pastner has a slough of top 100 kids too

 

[ctchamps]

After reading the Houston board it seems likely their coach will be fired. Next year is the last year of his contract and nobody there is happy. If Houston can find a top level coach they can be a tournament team next year with good talent returning. BTW I also read that Houston is building their own $40 million basketball practice facility so they are serious about basketball.

If Houston, Temple and Tulsa can rediscover themselves this league will be a beast next year. Tulsa has a decent shot at winning the CUSA tournament this year and the bulk of their team are sophomores. Danny Manning seems to be turning things around at Tulsa.

Idk about those other teams but next we have top 5 in the country potential. Losing an AA but gaining two burger boys (Hamilton shoulda been) with uber talent as well as another big body . Pastner has a slough of top 100 kids too

Next year I agree with tzz. It's the following few years that will be interesting.

I don't recall anyone from this forum predicting five AAC teams being in the top 25 this season. People considered four teams as NCAA teams with SMU having a chance to get into the tourney this season and definite likelihood next season.

So with apologies to Pudge and upstater, I feel this season was better than predicted for the AAC and next season will be a down season unless Temple and Houston make big leaps. The season after is where it gets interesting.

 

[tzznandrew]

Idk about those other teams but next we have top 5 in the country potential. Losing an AA but gaining two burger boys (Hamilton shoulda been) with uber talent as well as another big body . Pastner has a slough of top 100 kids too

I'm excited about next year. But let's not pretend there are not going to be problems in losing Bazz, Giffey, and Kromah. I think we have a lot of potential, but that doesn't always translate into a lot of wins.

 

[James]

I'm excited about next year. But let's not pretend there are not going to be problems in losing Bazz, Giffey, and Kromah. I think we have a lot of potential, but that doesn't always translate into a lot of wins.

yeah there will be a serious drop in overall basketball iq. Ollie will have a lot of parts , but will have to do more coaching. I'm also expecting boatright to continue this trend, and stay . Bet we nab a 5th year too , maybe pg.

 

[tzznandrew]

yeah there will be a serious drop in overall basketball iq. Ollie will have a lot of parts , but will have to do more coaching. I'm also expecting boatright to continue this trend, and stay . Bet we nab a 5th year too , maybe pg.

We'll have Boat, Samuel, Cassell, and Purvis who can all take over ball-handling duties. I doubt they'll be in the market for that next year. But who knows.

Besides that, a senior DD, who maybe stays healthy and consistent? Some bigs all with 1 year of experience, along with Lubin.

And Hamilton, who, as we said, should have been an AA. Lots of great pieces.

 

[Marat]

I'm excited about next year. But let's not pretend there are not going to be problems in losing Bazz, Giffey, and Kromah. I think we have a lot of potential, but that doesn't always translate into a lot of wins.

I agree.

I'm still excited about this year. We have one of the best players in the country and have a chance to do damage in the NCAA. This was the team we were excited about when Bazz/Boat/DD decided to return end of last year.

Regarding next year - we don't even know if Boat and/or DD will return (regardless of what we think).

 

[James]

Forgot 6'4 Cassell. Wow. So even if boat doesn't return we have a point and a back up. Still hope he does

 

[ctchamps]

Forgot 6'4 Cassell. Wow. So even if boat doesn't return we have a point and a back up. Still hope he does

I'll feel a lot better if RB returns. He's shown better and better handling of running the team as this season has progressed. KO has given Bazz increased sitting time and recently when RB is running things without Bazz the offense is moving well. I wouldn't have said that the first half of the season.

Having a senior run the ship is preferable to letting a barely tested soph or a guy new to the system take the reins. It gives KO much more lee way in how he develops the team.

 

[Inyatkin]

I agree ... except for the SMU comment.

SMU, with Larry Brown, is having a transformative year. A tough, hardworking Team. They have pulled in the athletes; but, lots of Universities have gone on great series of recruiting wins. (a NC State or a Texas or a Illinois or a St John's) Brown has created a winning culture whereby they are going to continue to develop, We have seen this ... Jim Calhoun 1990-1993.

Except Calhoun was 40-ish and Brown is 73. It's their next coach who will determine if SMU has any staying power.

 

[Fishy]

It's counter-intuitive given that we're losing Shabazz, but I think UConn is better positioned in the next two years than they are now. Like most of the American's top 5 teams, we kinda look Sweet Sixteen-ish this season.

We lose Bazz and Griffey this year, but, the returning players are a better than solid base and we're adding three grown men and a serious scorer to the mix. I think the team dynamic changes completely - we go from "kinda small" to "Holy crap, they have big people all over the court".

Memphis could fall off the table for a year or two - they have seven players averaging around 15 minutes a game and up and they lose five of them. It will take them a season or two to rebuild.

SMU will be better - they should be a top 15 team next season. They're not losing much and they're adding the one and done.

Cincinnati will be an all-time rock fight team next season. I just don't see how they score - impossible that they do not take a good, solid step backwards.

In theory, Houston should be better next year, but Dickey is a terrible coach and his team has the IQ of a bag of squirrels. I suspect they will charge into the NIT next season on the back of a bunch of WTF losses.

USF and UCF are going nowhere quickly. Stan Heath needs to be canned and Donnie Jones was a better coach when he was cheating. Temple won't be worse, but they're not going to be much better either.

Tulane is bad. Tulsa leads CUSA but they've lost to every good team they've played.

Looks like a three or four bid league next year - probably three.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think Temple will turn around very quickly to solid NIT caliber with an outside shot at an NCAA bid. They get everyone but Pepper back and add a quality big man and get Dingle back from injury. It will be a good team next year.

I think UCF, USF, ECU and Tulane will reach a new level of terrible. Houston and Tulsa will be garden variety bad.

 

[pj]

Even if Boat and DD don't return, we'll have a decent roster:

- Rodney Purvis, Terence Samuel, Omar Calhoun, Daniel Hamilton, Sam Cassell Jr on the perimeter
- Lubin and Facey at the 4
- Nolan and Brimah at the 5

I've gotta believe Facey will have learned his defensive assignments and gotten stronger by next year, so he could be a decent starter. Brimah should be much improved. That perimeter has a lot of talent. It should be a competitive team. If Boat and/or Daniels come back it's even better. And who knows, maybe Tolksdorf will be able to contribute a few minutes.