AAC Basketball: 5 biggest questions heading into 2019-20 season

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: The AAC Championship trophy to be presented to the Cincinnati Bearcats after the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against Houston Cougars at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Can Jarron Cumberland establish himself as a POY candidate?

Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the American Championship Tournament Most Outstanding Player and a unanimous first-team all-conference selection (GoBearcats.com). Jarron Cumberland’s accolades certainly speak for themselves. He’s legit. Cumberland elected to test the draft waters after a stellar junior season as he should have but made the decision to withdraw his name for consideration and return for his senior season. A win-win for Cumberland and John Brannen’s Bearcats.

Cumberland will play at a high-level this season but if he is able to take his game to that next level, can he be in that player of the year conversation? I absolutely think he can and think he will; the kid is special. He’s on a mission to prove to not only college basketball fans but NBA scouts that he can play at the next level. It almost feels as if Cumberland is entering this season with a chip on his shoulder.

Must Read. Bearcats will remain AAC contenders in 2019-20. light

Coming off his almost 19 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season, Cumberland was a game-changer. He wanted the ball in his hands at crunch time and he oftentimes delivered. New head coach John Brannen will want to see Cumberland take on a similar role. He will undoubtedly draw teams best defenders this year and so Cumberland’s focus will need to be on how to get his teammates involved. The thought of a Cumberland-led Bearcats team should be something not only the AAC fears but the rest of the country as well.