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AAC Basketball: Tournament preview and predictions

By Steven Massucci

Mar 15, 2015; Hartford, CT, USA; The Southern Methodist Mustangs celebrate after defeating the Connecticut Huskies during the final round of the American Conference Tournament at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports at XL Center.
Mar 15, 2015; Hartford, CT, USA; The Southern Methodist Mustangs celebrate after defeating the Connecticut Huskies during the final round of the American Conference Tournament at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports at XL Center. /
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Feb 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave forward Dylan Osetkowski (21) dunks the over East Carolina Pirates forward Michael Zangari (34) during the second half of a game at the Devlin Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave forward Dylan Osetkowski (21) dunks the over East Carolina Pirates forward Michael Zangari (34) during the second half of a game at the Devlin Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Tulane Green Wave

The Tulane Green Wave finished with the worst record in the conference at 3-15. Only one of their three wins came in regulation when they won at USF.

The scoring output from the Green Wave comes from three main contributors. They are led by 6’3″ senior guard Louis Dabney who has put in four years of service in his hometown city of New Orleans. Senior guard Malik Morgan, an LSU transfer, mans the backcourt with Dabney.

The frontcourt weapon for Tulane is 6’9″ sophomore Dylan Osetkowski. Osetkowski is a promising young forward who averages 12 points and nine rebounds per game. At times, he has shown a knack for taking advantage of mismatches down low and is a glimmer of hope for the future of Tulane basketball.

Other than the Tulane’s “big three,” the rest of the team is made up of inexperienced freshman.

The key turning point in the season for Tulane came when 6’10” senior forward and Washington transfer Jernard Jarreau injured his leg in January. Their major inside presence has been out ever since. In his absence, Tulane has gone 2-12, needing overtime in both their wins.

Tulane has one of the worst offenses in the entire country, ranking 303rd in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings.

Prediction:

1st Round Loss to UCF – Tulane got swept in the season series against UCF, losing both home and away match-ups by eight points. Central Florida’s big frontcourt presence was able to contain Osetkowski in both bouts. Unless Jarreau is able to make an unexpected return by Thursday, expect a similar result.

Next: 9. South Florida Bulls