Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology: Bubble Watch (Building a resume and the bubble as it is)

By Lukas Harkins

Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
Dec 13, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Justin Jenifer (3) reacts with forward Tre Scott (13) in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 96-58. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Justin Jenifer (3) reacts with forward Tre Scott (13) in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 96-58. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

American Athletic Conference

Lead-Pipe Lock: N/A

Some Perspiration: Cincinnati

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: SMU, Houston, Memphis, Central Florida, Temple

Cincinnati Bearcats, 10-2: Cincinnati had a very comfortable non-conference schedule, where they were able to finish 10-2. Their non-conference strength of schedule wasn’t great and they received very few quality wins. However, they’re still the highest and only seeded team (seven seed) from the conference in this week’s Bracketology.

Quality wins: @ Iowa State.

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: @ Butler, vs. Rhode Island.

Next up: @ Temple (12/28), vs. Tulane (1/1)

SMU Mustangs, 11-3: Although currently sitting in the First Four Out section of this week’s Bracketology, SMU is off to a solid start. Despite a road loss against Boise State, they were able to grab a win against TCU, who is sitting in the bracket at the moment. The AAC has several teams sitting just outside the tournament. That will likely stay that way for the majority of the season because they will battle with each other throughout conference play. Starting AAC play, SMU was able to get a crucial road win over Memphis.

Quality wins: vs. TCU, @ Memphis

Bad losses: @ Boise State

Missed opportunities: @ USC

Next up: @ East Carolina (12/31), vs. Temple (1/4)

Houston Cougars, 10-3: The good news for Houston is that they took advantage of their biggest game of the year in knocking off Rhode Island. URI isn’t off to the start many expected, but they’re still a quality win for the rest of the year. Losing at LSU is a rough loss, even considering the fact that LSU is a major conference team. Rob Gray Jr. leads the team in scoring with just over 20 points per game, and they’ll need his play to be strong in back-to-back road games to start the conference schedule.

Quality wins: vs. Rhode Island

Bad losses: @ LSU

Missed opportunities: None

Next up: @ Connecticut (12/28), @ USF (12/31)

Memphis Tigers, 9-4: Is Iowa really a quality win this year? Is Monmouth really a bad loss? It is too early to tell, and at this point, the strength of schedule has been pretty average for Memphis. Their next two games come at home against likely tournament teams, so going 2-0 could have a huge impact on their movement up into the bracket.

Dedric Lawson is averaging over 20 points per game on over 50 percent shooting, while also coming down with 11 rebounds per game. Lawson is a major talent who can really carry this team. The loss to SMU was not a great way to start AAC play, but it is hard to argue that it is a bad loss. A four-point loss at home to a quality opponent does not hurt Memphis, but they could do with a win on the road next time.

Quality wins: vs. Iowa

Bad losses: vs. Monmouth

Missed opportunities: vs. SMU

Next up: vs. South Carolina (12/30), vs. Connecticut (1/5)

Central Florida Knights, 9-3: The lack of quality wins is a daunting start to the season for UCF, as their non-conference play will not help them come March. Still their 9-3 record is impressive. They do not have the most difficult start to AAC play, but wins against both Tulane and Temple might get them rolling in the way that they need to play.

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: vs. Penn

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova

Next up: @ Tulane (12/28), vs. Temple (12/31)

Temple Owls, 9-4: The Owls might have suffered four non-conference losses this season, but they also tout two of the best wins that the conference has to this point, along with a great strength of schedule. Temple was able to defeat two tournament teams in Florida State and West Virginia on neutral courts. Cincinnati is the favorite to win this conference, and Temple could use a victory at home to snag a key conference win along with a marquee victory.

Quality wins: vs. FSU, vs. West Virginia

Bad losses: vs. New Hampshire, vs. George Washington

Missed opportunities: @ Villanova

Next up: vs. Cincinnati (12/28), @ UCF (12/31)

Home/Bracketology