SMU and Temple should keep improving next year
The AAC is a far cry from the old Big East. As many have pointed out, the loss of UL is going to hurt, but as long as the AAC gets solid TV contracts, the top of the league should improve and help some of the programs that have been good in the past improve both their exposure and recruiting, which go hand-in-hand.
With Larry Brown at SMU, that program, which already looks strong and continues to get some big time recruits, should only get better.
I think Houston, which had its hay-day decades ago, has potential to be a legit top program.
Memphis and Cinci have been big time programs and will continue to do so.
The FL (USF & UCF) schools have their work cut out for them, having to compete against big time conference programs in their state (UF, FSU & Miami), but there's potential for them to have some solid stretches and find their way into the Tourney. I don't recall USF getting it done in the BE, but maybe it will easier for them in the AAC even though the committee says every year they don't look at numbers of programs per a given conference.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not happy we're not in one of the major conferences, but as long as the conference can build to where it has 4 to 5 tournament type teams most seasons, and they can schedule a solid OOC schedule, we'll be okay.
I must admit, I'm a tad more hopeful now than I was coming into this season. I'm waiting to see how things shape out over the next few years to get a better sense if our situation, hoops wise. FB wise, well it sure seems the gap between the AAC and the other major conferences is huge, though UCF did us proud this year by beating Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.
