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2017 American Athletic Conference: Five bold predictions for tournament

By Daniel Benjamin

Feb 25, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Shake Milton (1) works the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Christian Vital (1) in the second half at XL Center. SMU defeated UConn 69-61. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Shake Milton (1) works the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Christian Vital (1) in the second half at XL Center. SMU defeated UConn 69-61. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-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 /

1. SMU tops Cincinnati for conference supremacy

SMU and Cincinnati are the two most complete teams in the AAC. The teams are very similar and have played outstanding basketball all season long.

SMU and Cincinnati are ranked one and two in the conference (any order) in scoring defense, field goal percentage, assists, assist-to-turnover ratio, and offensive rebounding. Both teams are also ranked in the top three in scoring, field goal percentage, and defensive rebounding.

SMU, led by Semi Ojeleye, is the American’s most talented team. Ojeleye is one of five Mustangs averaging at least 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. The Duke transfer, a first team all-conference selection, averages 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 48.4% from the field and 43.1% from beyond the arc. He has 30 double-digit scoring performances and four double-doubles.

Shake Melton, Sterling Brown, Ben Moore, Jarrey Foster, and Ben Emelogu are the other key players for the Mustangs. Brown, Melton, and Moore were selected to the all-conference second team. While Emelogu was tabbed as the co-sixth-man of the year.

Cincinnati relies a lot on its defense. The Bearcats are fourth in the nation in scoring defense and fifth in defensively efficient. Jacob Evans (13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Kyle Washington (13.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) lead six players producing over seven points along with two rebounds. Troy Caupain and Washington were named to the all-conference second team. Meanwhile, Jarron Cumberland was selected as the conference’s co-sixth man of the year with Emelogu.

SMU and Cincinnati split their two meetings this year, though the Bearcats leads the series 5-3 over the last three years.

SMU has been the best team since the AAC was established winning two regular season titles and one postseason crown. The Mustangs are 57-15 during the regular season and 3-1 in two tournament appearances – SMU was ineligible for all postseason tournaments a season ago.

Cincinnati owns the second best all-time record in the conference with a 56-17 record. The Bearcats were co-conference champions in 2013-14, but are only 1-3 in the conference tournament.

UCF and Memphis are the two teams that could prevent this matchup.