Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: The conference runs through UConn and Cincinnati

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 13, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie cuts the net defeated the Memphis Tigers 72-58 to win the AAC Conference tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie cuts the net defeated the Memphis Tigers 72-58 to win the AAC Conference tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; East Carolina Pirates guard B.J. Tyson (21) drives to the basket against Cincinnati Bearcats guard Farad Cobb (21) and guard Troy Caupain (10) in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 75-60. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; East Carolina Pirates guard B.J. Tyson (21) drives to the basket against Cincinnati Bearcats guard Farad Cobb (21) and guard Troy Caupain (10) in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 75-60. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

10. East Carolina Pirates

2015-16 record: 12-20 overall, 4-14 in AAC

Head coach: Jeff Lebo

Key returning players: B.J. Tyson, Caleb White, Kentrell Barkley, Michel Nzege

Newcomers: Three-star SF Raquan Wilkins, three-star SF Elijah Hughes, three-star SG Jeremy Carter-Sheppard, non-ranked PG Shawn Williamson, JUCO F Jabari Craig, Wake Forest GS C Andre Washington

The Pirates, who are led by Jeff Lebo, return their leading scorer, B.J. Tyson, along with two other valuable contributors from last year’s team, Caleb White and Kentrell Barkley. They lose Prince Williams (third leading scorer) and Michael Zangari, but they also reeled in their best recruiting class in recent memory.

Lebo added three three-star talents, including small forward Raquan Wilkins. Wilkins is the 41st best power forward in the country for the class of 2016 and the 15th best player in the state of Georgia.

Because they don’t have much size, East Carolina reeled in 6’10” JUCO forward Jabari Craig and Wake Forest graduate transfer Andre Washington. In addition to the two new additions, redshirt freshman Deng Riak will have to give the Pirates more on the interior.

Moving forward, the Pirates also secured a commitment from Hawaii transfer Isaac Fleming. He will have to sit out the entire 2016-17 season, but he will be eligible to practice before gaining eligibility in 2017-18.