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Memphis Basketball: 3 reasons why Tigers will win AAC title in 2019-20

By Jason Burgess

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 10: Kyvon Davenport #0 of the Memphis Tigers and Kyle Washington #24 of the Cincinnati Bearcats jump ball during a semifinal game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship at Amway Center on March 10, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 10: Kyvon Davenport #0 of the Memphis Tigers and Kyle Washington #24 of the Cincinnati Bearcats jump ball during a semifinal game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship at Amway Center on March 10, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

3. An elite offensive unit

The last reason I think Memphis wins the AAC is that the offense could be even better than last season while continuing their aggressive style of play. In the first season under Hardaway, The Tigers averaged 80 points while giving up over 74. The defense improved as the season went on as they only gave up over 74 points twice over their last 12 games.

While the Tigers weren’t the greatest shooting team in the country, shooting 45% from the field, but because they were the seventh-fastest team in the country in terms of tempo, they were able to put up points. I think with the improved talent on the roster, while they still might not shoot the ball all that well, an even higher offensive output would not surprise me.

Next. 5 biggest AAC questions heading into 2019-20. dark

With such a young roster, I wouldn’t anticipate the defensive numbers on the whole to improve much but just based on the style of play alone they should again be one of the top teams in the country in steals, turnovers forced and crashing the offensive glass. Memphis will win the AAC because of an even more prolific offense that will drown conference opponents with its aggressive style that will lead to more easy buckets for this super-athletic roster.