Busting Brackets
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 13
Next
Mar 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Tulane Green Wave forward Dylan Osetkowski (21) defends Memphis Tigers forward Dedric Lawson (1) in the second half during the AAC tournament at the Amway Center. The Memphis Tigers won 74-54. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Tulane Green Wave forward Dylan Osetkowski (21) defends Memphis Tigers forward Dedric Lawson (1) in the second half during the AAC tournament at the Amway Center. The Memphis Tigers won 74-54. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Memphis Tigers

2015-16 record: 19-15 overall, 8-10 AAC 

Head coach: Tubby Smith (first year)

Key returning players: Dedric Lawson, K.J. Lawson, Markel Crawford, Jeremiah Martin, Craig Randall II

Newcomers: Non-ranked PG Keon Clergeot, JUCO SF Jimario Rivers, Coppin State GS SG Christian Kessee, Baylor GS F Chad Rykhoek

It seems rather obvious that 1-through-5 in the AAC preseason projections stand out above the rest of the conference. There is a major drop-off after the five slot, as Tulsa, South Florida, Temple, UCF, East Carolina and Tulane are all dealing with either new coaches, a fresh wave of players, difficult departures or all three of these changes.

The top five teams won’t all make the Big Dance, but you can make the argument that all of them potentially have an opportunity if the ball bounces in the proper direction.

Memphis seems like the sleeper team in the conference. They return our preseason AAC Player of the Year in Dedric Lawson, who averaged 15.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and blocked 1.7 shots per game.

More from AAC

The sophomore big man only shot 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the three point line, while also turning the ball over 3.2 times per game. Those numbers are likely to improve in 2016-17 though.

Lawson will receive help from his brother K.J. Even though the 6’7″ forward missed 24 games due to injury last season, he impressed with four double-figure scoring games during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Markel Crawford is also back, along with Jeremiah Martin and Craig Randall II.

Meanwhile, graduate transfer guard Christian Kessee possesses the shooting ability to stretch the floor, newcomer Chad Rykhoek gives the Tigers more size and Jimario Rivers adds an extra scorer to the lineup.

Most importantly, the Tigers add head coach Tubby Smith. Smith has coached at six different schools, won one National Title in 1998 and led Texas Tech to surprising NCAA Tournament appearance last season.

Smith will elevate some of the players on this roster by putting them in the correct position to be successful.