Busting Brackets
Fansided

AAC Basketball: Updated 2018-19 preseason rankings for the conference

By Lukas Harkins

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 13
Next
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars reacts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars reacts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Houston was one of the most underrated teams in the country throughout most of last season. Even though they ended receiving a No. 6 seed in the Big Dance and knocked on the door of the Sweet 16, the Cougars were often overlooked. It might not have been fair but I think part of the reasoning for this was due to people writing off the team for falling to Drexel in the second game of the entire season.

Yet, the Cougars rose from that defeat to post a successful season thanks in large part due to the presence of superstar guard Rob Gray Jr., who emerged as one of the most clutch players in the sport this past March. Overall, Houston posted a 27-8 (14-4 AAC) record and finished the year ranked 21st in the final AP poll. Now, heading into this upcoming season, the team has a ton of returning talent even though Gray and Devin Davis graduated.

Most notably, the backcourt duo of Corey Davis Jr. (13.1 points on 42.9 3P%) and Armoni Brooks (9.1 points on 41.9 3P%) could prove to be one of the best in the country this season with more opportunities. Both players are elite shooters who can fill up the basket from just about anywhere on the floor. With this kind of offensive firepower in the backcourt, Houston could be extremely dangerous and this does not include the potential of seeing a breakout season from 6-foot-7 rising sophomore Fabian White Jr. (5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds).

Under the tutelage of head coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars successfully employed small-ball basketball last season and there is no reason to believe that they cannot do it again in 2018-19. Houston should enter this season as one of the favorites to win the AAC this season and their defense might be just as strong as it was a year ago.