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 *** /
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WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 07: David Collins #11 of the South Florida Bulls scores a basket. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 07: David Collins #11 of the South Florida Bulls scores a basket. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

South Florida finished dead-last in the AAC a year ago and it seems as though it will be difficult for the team to leave the cellar this year as well. This is due to the fact that the program had to say goodbye to 10 players this offseason due to graduations and transfers, leaving just three players left on the roster who saw any minutes at all this past season. Amidst all of these losses included six of the top seven scorers from 2017-18.

In addition, the Bulls are not bringing in any tremendously highly-rated transfers or recruits this season to help push the program higher up the rankings. Because of this, a few newcomers will need to immediately outplay their ranking in order for South Florida to make something happen this season. Thankfully, though, the amount of roster turnover means that there are several possibilities for breakout players.

Furthermore, the Bulls are bringing back one of the best rising sophomores in the country in David Collins. A 6-foot-3 guard, Collins averaged 10.0 points per game last season in his first collegiate year. While this is already impressive, his efficiency was also commendable as he posted shooting slashes of .497/.417/.717. He will be the go-to offensive player for the Bulls this season and he could emerge as a star in the AAC.