Busting Brackets
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AAC basketball: Five teams that can win the 2017 title

By Brock Zimmermann

Feb 1, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Kyle Washington (24) pulls down a rebound as Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Sterling Taplin (4) defends during the second half at Donald Reynolds Center. Cincinnati won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Kyle Washington (24) pulls down a rebound as Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Sterling Taplin (4) defends during the second half at Donald Reynolds Center. Cincinnati won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

2. SMU Mustangs

The Mustangs are the no the no. 14 team in the country and clinched the outright AAC regular season championship with a win over Memphis. They blew out the Tigers 103-62 in emphatic fashion and finished the season on a 13 game winning streak. They closed out the season with a 27-4 (17-1) record

The Mustangs have one of the best defenses is the country and allow an average of 59.4 points per game. It’s the 3rd lowest in the nation. They have allowed 70 or more points just five times this year.

The Mustangs are led by Ben Moore and Sterling Brown who both look locked in down the stretch. They weren’t able to participate in the postseason last year following an NCAA ban, and they should be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The last time the Mustangs won the regular season in 2015 they also won the conference tournament.

Moore leads the team in field goal percentage, rebounds per game, and blocks per game. He is shooting.575 from the floor and average 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Brown is leading the team in steals with 1.5 per game, and the combination of the two makes the defense one of the best in the nation.

These two get a lot of help from Semi Ojeleye and Shake Milton. They are versatile scorers and lead the team in points per game. Five players shoot over .400 from three-point range and give the Mustangs the options to spread the ball around.