Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball Power Rankings: Temple, UCF, Houston in top tier

By Brian Rauf

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 05: Shizz Alston Jr. #10 and Quinton Rose #1 of the Temple Owls reacts after an offensive foul in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Finneran Pavilion on December 5, 2018 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Temple Owls 69-59. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 05: Shizz Alston Jr. #10 and Quinton Rose #1 of the Temple Owls reacts after an offensive foul in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Finneran Pavilion on December 5, 2018 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Temple Owls 69-59. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 08: Eliel Nsoseme #22 of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights for the ball against Tyrique Jones #0 of the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of the game at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 08: Eliel Nsoseme #22 of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights for the ball against Tyrique Jones #0 of the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of the game at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2) Cincinnati Bearcats (16-3, 5-1)
LW: 2

Cincinnati’s offensive struggles are well documented but they continue to roll in conference play thanks to their talent edge and typical stingy defense.

Though they are not as potent as past years, the Bearcats have held eight opponents under 60 points and rank in the top 10 nationally in interior defense and block percentage. Offensively, they rely on Jarron Cumberland to carry them, and that has been enough in AAC play.

Cincinnati has benefitted so far as they have not played one of the one-loss teams yet. That first game will come on Sunday at Temple, and head coach Mick Cronin’s squad will be looking to flex their muscle as one of the top teams in the conference. Given that they only have one KenPom top 50 win (Ole Miss), it’s a win Cincinnati needs to help preserve their seeding.

1) Houston Cougars (19-1, 6-1)
LW: 1

Houston has to be No. 1 on this list. They’re a controversial call away from still being undefeated and have already handled some of the conference’s better teams.

While Cincinnati has traditionally been the conference’s best defense, that title belongs to the Cougars this year. They rank 12th in the country in defensive efficiency and second in both three-point defense and effective field goal percentage defense.

Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks carry the offensive as the only players to average over 8.5 points per game, and Houston is vulnerable when one of them is struggling. That said, the Cougars are deep and have had several players step up when needed.

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Houston has clearly been the best team in the American so far this season but faces plenty of still competition in the conference title race – and that will make for a very intriguing February.