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NCAA basketball: 5 bold predictions for the AAC in 2020-2021

By Cody Williams

Memphis Tigers guard Boogie Ellis defends a drive by Houston Cougars guard Caleb Mills during their game at the FedExForum on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.W 29331
Memphis Tigers guard Boogie Ellis defends a drive by Houston Cougars guard Caleb Mills during their game at the FedExForum on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.W 29331 /
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AAC basketball predictions
Houston Cougars. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

AAC basketball predictions for the 2020-2021 season as Houston is the favorite but could be challenged by the likes of Memphis and SMU. 

To say that it was a down year for AAC basketball last season would be an understatement. If they were lucky, the conference would’ve gotten two teams in the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament had it been played. And the highest-seeded team would’ve been the Houston Cougars, a team that would’ve been lucky to get above a No. 7 seed. There is hope, however, that things will turn around in the 2020-2021 season.

Now that the James Wiseman controversy is no longer casting a shadow, Memphis should challenge Houston to win the AAC this season and give us a phenomenal two-team race to win the conference. Having said that, there are other quality teams such as SMU and Cincinnati, among others, that could pop up and make plenty of noise this year.

While the conference should be better as a whole, the big question is how everything in the league will shake out. Let’s dive into that with some AAC basketball predictions for the 2020-2021 season, from awards to order of finish and more.

AAC basketball Player of the Year: Caleb Mills, G, Houston

There’s no question that the Houston Cougars will be looking for their guards to guide the way to success this season, which should be a successful strategy. But while former 5-star recruit and Kansas player Quentin Grimes is the bigger name, former 3-star recruit and redshirt sophomore guard Caleb Mills could be the more impressive and impactful player for Kelvin Sampson’s team this season.

Despite playing a limited role last season with Houston, averaging under 23 minutes per game as a reserve, Mills was one of the AAC’s most dangerous scorers as he put up over 13 points per contest on the year. Now he’s set to step into a bigger role that should see him clear 30 minutes every time out, a lot of the time by quite a bit. And in doing so, he’s set up to light the conference on fire if he can maintain the same scoring prowess, showing the potential to potentially put up 20 points per night.

Mills’ scoring at the heart of a Houston team that figures to be the favorite to win the AAC this season should be enough to make him one of the best Player of the Year candidates in the conference. He gets the nod here, though, because of the other steps forward he should be able to make with experience, hopefully making strides as a facilitator and defender. If that all transpires, Mills will undeniably look like the best player in the conference.