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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
SMU Mustangs.Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

AAC basketball predicted order of finish

  1. Houston Cougars
  2. Memphis Tigers
  3. SMU Mustangs
  4. Cincinnati Bearcats
  5. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
  6. UCF Knights
  7. South Florida Bulls
  8. Wichita State Shockers
  9. East Carolina Pirates
  10. Temple Owls
  11. Tulane Green Wave

There are some undeniable questions with Houston as, despite the immense strength of their backcourt, the frontcourt has a lot to replace from last season and must rely on largely unproven players to provide an impact on both sides of the ball. At the end of the day, however, the strength of the guard play should buoy them to an AAC title.

Just behind them will be Memphis and expect this to be a neck-and-neck race between the two. Despite Precious Achiuwara (and, in name, James Wiseman) now being in the NBA, Penny Hardaway still has four members of the nation’s top recruiting class from a year ago while adding another top-10 freshman in Moussa Cisse. It would not be far-fetched for them to win the league.

Beyond the top two, both SMU and Cincinnati are talented teams that could knock off Houston or Memphis once or twice this season but also might lack the consistency to finish in the top two of the AAC. As for the biggest “shock”, Wichita State appears due for an awful season with a ton of key players transferring out followed by Gregg Marshall’s resignation amid scandal.

Simply put, the race for the AAC basketball crown might actually be a two-team race but the strength of the conference is solid and this should be a tight finish to see who ends up with the regular season title.