Busting Brackets
Fansided

AAC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Ben Andreatta

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 22: Caleb Mills #2 of the Houston Cougars dribbles the ball against Alex Lomax #2 of the Memphis Tigers during a game at FedExForum on February 22, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Houston 60-59. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 22: Caleb Mills #2 of the Houston Cougars dribbles the ball against Alex Lomax #2 of the Memphis Tigers during a game at FedExForum on February 22, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Houston 60-59. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Tulane Green Wave (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Tulane Green Wave (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

11. Tulane Green Wave

Key Losses: Christion Thompson, Teshaun Hightower, K.J Lawson, Nic Thomas,

Key Returners: Jordan Walker, Kevin Zhang

Potential Impact Newcomer: Ryan Murphy

Breakout Candidate: Nobal Days

Ron Hunter is building something down at Tulane and is heading in the right direction. However, things will be difficult without Christion Thompson, K.J Lawson, and most recently Teshaun Hightower. The production that these three had is going to be a tough ask to replace.

Pittsburgh graduate transfer Ryan Murphy will make an impact immediately. he made 30 appearances with Pitt last season. Hunter has added three more transfers in Gabe Watson, Oton Jankovic, and most recently the Alabama transfer Jaylen Forbes but under current NCAA rules, all three are likely to sit out for next season.

There’s a lot of young talent on Tulane this season, Hunter is trying to build his team with transfers similar to what happened last year. Teshaun Hightower had originally declared for the draft but has elected to keep his eligibility before being charged with murder and dismissed from the team.

Hightower coming back to the Green Wave would have been season changing and given Tulane a little bit of hope for next season. The former Georgia transfer had 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last year in his first under Ron Hunter.

There’s not a lot of experience coming back and the Green Wave now has to deal with dismissing Hightower. Had he come back the Green Wave probably wouldn’t be sitting in the cellar. Ron Hunter has his work cut out for them and hopefully, Tulane can build on some momentum from last year and change the culture.