Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

By Holden Walter-Warner

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Boogie Ellis #23 passes during the Jordan Brand Classic boys high school all-star basketball game at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Boogie Ellis #23 passes during the Jordan Brand Classic boys high school all-star basketball game at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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ACC Basketball
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

Who is the most likely candidate from each AAC Basketball program to break out and emerge as a key player or star during the 2020-21 season?

When the 2020-21 college basketball season begins, AAC Basketball will be searching for a new cast of stars. That’s what happens when an established group of players moves on from the conference, for one reason or another.

Reigning AAC Player of the Year Precious Achiuwa declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and will likely remain there, as he has the potential to be a lottery pick. His former teammate James Wiseman burned bright for a few games at Memphis before being shot into the sun by the NCAA. Reigning AAC Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player Trevon Scott has exhausted his eligibility at Cincinnati. The same is true of Martins Igbanu, the Sixth Man of the Year out of Tulsa.

The issue is complicated by the departure of one of the most glamorous programs in the conference, UConn, which will be joining (rejoining?) the Big East beginning next season. That leaves just 11 programs for the coming season, which will surely create some fun scheduling headaches on top of the potential headaches the coronavirus pandemic will leave on the sporting schedule.

Alas, new starts and breakout players will emerge in the coming season. Cincinnati should be good, despite their big losses. Memphis and Houston should have special seasons again. Maybe a new contender will emerge at the top of the conference as well.

Here’s one breakout candidate from each AAC team, listed in order of our way-too-early conference power rankings.