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AAC Basketball: Predicting end of season awards for 2019-2020 season

By Ben Andreatta

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: A detailed view of the AAC hashtag and Gatorade water coolers before the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: A detailed view of the AAC hashtag and Gatorade water coolers before the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket as William Douglas #3 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs and Ethan Chargois #25 defend during the first half at Fertitta Center on March 07, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars drives to the basket as William Douglas #3 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs and Ethan Chargois #25 defend during the first half at Fertitta Center on March 07, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Who are expected to be the top performers for AAC Basketball this season? Here are some early predictions before things get started.

As we inch closer to the start of the college basketball season there are a lot of unanswered questions for teams and coaches. There are a lot of high expectations for teams to make their mark on the national stage and make deep runs in the tournament. There’s plenty of new faces when it comes to players and a few new head coaches in the mix.  With all of that said we try and look ahead towards March and attempt to predict AAC Basketball end of season awards including who will make up the All-Conference Teams. Let’s start with a few of the individual awards.

Defensive Player of the Year: Laquincy Rideau

Rideau originally started his playing career at Gardner Webb before he transferred to South Florida and in his first year playing he earned himself the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2018/19 season. Averaging almost three steals a game last season Rideau was a lockdown defender for the South Florida Bulls who made big contributions on both sides of the ball. Rideau will be a big piece of a Bulls team looking to make a push for an NCAA tournament bid.

Sixth Man of the Year: Zach Harvey

The Cincinnati freshman Zach Harvey is the pick for the Sixth Man of the Year award, Harvey is the top-rated recruit in the Cincinnati class this year and is poised to make an immediate impact for the Bearcats. Harvey will likely see most of his time off the bench this season having to play behind both Jarron and Jeavin Cumberland. Harvey will likely be seen as Jarron Cumberland’s back up but could feature in situations where new head coach John Brannen wants to see Jarron as the primary ball-handler. Cincinnati has a deep backcourt that is easily one of the best in the conference and Harvey should have that big impact for them off the bench.

Most Improved Player: Dejon Jarreau

There are big expectations down in Houston that this kid is going to be special, after coming off the bench last year behind Armoni Brooks and Corey Davis Jr. Dejon Jarreau is set up to have a huge year for the Cougars. Many are writing Houston off due to the loss of their top two scorers but Kelvin Sampson will have a squad that’s ready. The UMass transfer joined Houston as a sophomore where he was the AAC Sixth Man of the Year last season. As a regular starter, Jarreau has a lot of potential and a strong contender to be the most improved player this season.