Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

By Tristan Freeman

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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse looks on during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse looks on during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. Cincy lands top-50 prospect for new head coach

When Mick Cronin left Cincinnati this offseason for UCLA, the Bearcats were in trouble of losing most of their roster to the transfer portal. But for the most part, all of their key pieces remained for new head coach John Brannen from Northern Kentucky. That included the reigning AAC Player of the Year Jarron Cumberland along with Tre Scott and Keith Williams.

He also got to work in the transfer portal, landing a trio of grad transfers in Chris McNeal, Jaevin Cumberland and Jaume Sorolla. All of these guys will be key rotation pieces for the Bearcats next season. But where Coach Brannen gets the most credit is his quick work this offseason on short notice with his new team’s recruiting class.

The first thing was to make sure that top JUCO guard transfer Jeremiah Davenport remained with Cincinnati. He then landed Mika Adam-Woods, a 6’3 guard who was committed to Nebraska before their own coaching change. But it was the late pickup of Zach Harvey that made this a successful offseason for the program.

Ranked No. 49 overall and the highest non-Memphis player in the class, Harvey’s recruitment took a drastic turn after a serious legal situation occurred. During this time, many of the top schools going after took a backseat. Once that issue was resolved, Brannen and Cincy were able to secure the talented scoring guard in the end.

Next. Hidden stars from 2019 freshmen class. dark

There certainly were extenuating circumstances involved with the Bearcats lucking upon a top-50 prospect but he’ll serve as the foundation of the 2020-21 team and beyond once the rising seniors graduate. The Bearcats have made the NCAA Tournament nine straight years under Cronin and should be able to extend that streak with Brannen in town.