Busting Brackets
Fansided

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. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Feb 28, 2016; Storrs, CT, USA; Houston Cougars guard Damyean Dotson (21) and guard Galen Robinson Jr. (25) react after defeating the Connecticut Huskies at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Houston defeated UConn 75-68. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Storrs, CT, USA; Houston Cougars guard Damyean Dotson (21) and guard Galen Robinson Jr. (25) react after defeating the Connecticut Huskies at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Houston defeated UConn 75-68. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Houston Cougars

Houston tore through the latter half of their schedule to finish in 3rd place in the conference with a 12-6 record. They had convincing wins at UConn and against Cincinnati to close out the season.

More from Busting Brackets

This group is a patchwork of transfers, including leading scorer Rob Gray Jr., who came over from Howard in the offseason. Gray, a sophomore guard, leads the conference in scoring with 16.3 points per game.

Junior guard Damyean Dotson was forced to sit out last season after transferring from Oregon. His hot hand has been the key to igniting this late season push by Houston. Ronnie Johnson, a 6-foot junior guard, also sat out with Dotson last year after coming over from Purdue.

6’8″ senior Devonta Pollard mans the frontcourt for the Cougs. Pollard also is a Houston transplant, coming over from Alabama after the 2012-2013 season. He is joined by Denrad “Chicken” Knowles, a lanky 6’10” junior.

Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars have the most efficient offense in the conference, ranking 15th in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings.

Prediction

Quarterfinals Win vs. UCF – Houston’s athletic bunch will get out and run against the sluggish transition defense of UCF. They’ve shown superior talent across the board against the Knights in both meetings this year, which should be demonstrated again.

Semifinals Loss to Tulsa – The Coug’s 2014-2015 campaign came to an end at the hands of Tulsa last year in the AAC tournament quarters. The Houston roster has changed since then, losing leading scorer Jherrod Stiggers to the NBA draft but gaining eligibility for aforementioned transfers Dotson and Gray Jr.

If Houston stays hot, they could upset Tulsa to avenge last year’s loss. However, expect a more experienced Tulsa backcourt to take over and get the W.

Next: 3. Temple Owls