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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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Jan 16, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; South Florida Bulls center Jaleel Cousins (15) during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Memphis Tigers defeated the South Florida Bulls 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; South Florida Bulls center Jaleel Cousins (15) during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Memphis Tigers defeated the South Florida Bulls 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

9. South Florida Bulls

The USF Bulls finished AAC play with a 4-14 record. The high point of their season came when they won a tough away game at Houston.

Freshman phenom Jahmal McMurray, a 6-foot guard, is the catalyst of the South Florida offense. He plays 35 minutes per game, averaging 15 points per game. Nehemias Morillo, a senior with two years of playing experience, is McMurray’s backcourt mate.

Morillo has been getting more playing time than anticipated since sophomore guard and Maryland transfer Roddy Peters broke his foot in a tilt against NC State. At the time, Peters was running the point for USF, leading the team in assists and sitting at 2nd in team scoring behind McMurray.

The USF frontcourt is five players deep, each playing around 25 minutes per game. 6’11” senior Jaleel Cousins, brother of NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, averages eight points and eight rebounds per game.

6’8″ junior Chris Perry and 6’8″ senior Angel Nunez play significant minutes with Cousins. This experienced frontcourt is the highlight for USF, ranking 4th in the AAC in total rebounds and rebounding margin. They also rank 3rd in blocked shots.

Despite their decent big men, USF’s offensive efficiency challenges Tulane for worst in the conference, ranking dead last in the AAC in scoring output, scoring margin, assists, three point field goal percentage, free throw percentage, turnover margin, and assist/turnover ratio.

Prediction:

1st Round Loss to ECU – USF will be tipping off the AAC tournament only eight days removed from a March 2nd loss to ECU.  The Bulls’ offense was held to only 39 points on 27.8% shooting.

The Pirates were able to shut down McMurray and stymie the USF backcourt as a whole. Unless they turn things around fast, USF will be the first team packing their bags in the AAC tournament.

Next: 8. East Carolina Pirates