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Message: [QUOTE="Drew, post: 3301240, member: 3723"] [B]Tier 1: Should Go To NCAA Tournament: John Brannen, [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2132/cincinnati-bearcats']Cincinnati[/URL]:[/B] Much of this depends on the health of [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4066486/jarron-cumberland']Jarron Cumberland[/URL], who has been dealing with a foot injury since last season, but if the returning AAC Player of the Year is good to go, the Bearcats should compete for a conference title and get to the NCAA tournament. That shouldn't come as a surprise, as Cincinnati has heard its name on Selection Sunday in each of the past nine seasons under Mick Cronin. Cumberland and his cousin, Oakland graduate transfer [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3913701/jaevin-cumberland']Jaevin Cumberland[/URL], are two bona fide perimeter scorers, while [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278217/keith-williams']Keith Williams[/URL] and [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3934620/tre-scott']Tre Scott[/URL] are returning starters. There's going to be a different style at Fifth Third Arena this season, but winning won't change. [B]Tier 2: Enough To Contend For A Bid, But Questions Remain Aaron McKie, [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/218/temple-owls']Temple[/URL]:[/B] Another first-time head coach, McKie replaces Philadelphia staple and Big 5 legend Fran Dunphy. The Owls only made the NCAA tournament twice in the past six seasons, but there are reasons for optimism this season. [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4066471/quinton-rose']Quinton Rose[/URL] and [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278333/nate-pierre-louis']Nate Pierre-Louis[/URL]are back on the perimeter, and high-scoring Kennesaw State transfer [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4067159/james-scott']James Scott[/URL] should help replace Shizz Alston. The backcourt should be in good hands, but [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278332/jp-moorman-ii']J.P. Moorman[/URL] will need help up front. The ceiling of this team is likely the bubble, but the top of the AAC is also more crowded than usual and could make it difficult for the Owls to get above the middle of the pack. [B]Tier 4: Total Rebuild Ahead Ron Hunter, [URL='https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2655/tulane-green-wave']Tulane[/URL]:[/B] The Green Wave were dreadful last season, winning four games total and going winless in AAC play, but this wasn't just a one-year dip. Mike Dunleavy won eight total AAC games in three years, and the team hasn't won two straight conference games since February 2016. Hunter does bring energy and optimism, however. He's essentially transforming the entire roster this season, bringing in four freshmen, three graduate transfers and two sit-out transfers who could be eligible immediately, while also regaining the services of two players who sat out last season. Only two contributors from last season are back. Hunter recognized a complete overhaul was needed, and he's trying to do it quicker than the other two schools in this tier. [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/27845212/makes-ncaa-tournament[/URL] ————————————————————————————————————————————————— Interesting write up on new coaches, as well as some teams we’ll be playing this year. I’m curious how Cincinnati looks with Brannen, everyone has them penned to the tournament again but its a complete change in style and pace [/QUOTE]

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