Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball power rankings: Memphis, Wichita State leads heading into league play

By Ben Andreatta

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Precious Achiuwa #55 of the Memphis Tigers brings the ball up the court during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Precious Achiuwa #55 of the Memphis Tigers brings the ball up the court during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Head coach Ron Hunter (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Head coach Ron Hunter (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

12. East Carolina Pirates (Prior Ranking: 12)

Pirates have won three of their last four to move to 6-7 but it won’t be good enough to dig themselves out of last place heading into conference play. Jayden Gardner continues to put on a show every time he plays but he doesn’t have a lot of help still.

The team is really young with just one senior on the team but the rest of this season looks bleak for ECU. Still expect them to finish rock bottom in the AAC despite stringing together a few wins in a row before the start of conference play, they’re not very good.

East Carolina opens at Wichita State on New Year’s Day.

11.  Tulane Green Wave (Prior Ranking: 11)

Tulane maybe has the hardest opening four games for conference play with Memphis, Cincinnati, UConn, and Temple. This season will be all about building a good culture under new head coach Ron Hunter. 8-5 in conference play is a solid start.

TeShaun Hightower is playing well right now averaging 17.8 points per game and could earn his way on to one of the all-conference teams at the conclusion of the season. Tulane has already doubled last season’s win total and they should definitely win at least a few conference games this season.

Tulane will open conference play on New Year’s night at Memphis, they’re going to struggle early but I think they’ll win at least a few conference games.