Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Ben Andreatta

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: The AAC Championship trophy to be presented to the Cincinnati Bearcats after the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against Houston Cougars at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: The AAC Championship trophy to be presented to the Cincinnati Bearcats after the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against Houston Cougars at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 24: Collin Smith #35 of the UCF Knights (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 24: Collin Smith #35 of the UCF Knights (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

455. . . . Knights . 8. team

With both Collin Smith and Darin Green back and with the work that the Knights did in the transfer portal there should be some optimism for the upcoming season. Louisville transfer Darius Perry and former five-star transfer CJ Walker both joined the Knights program from power five schools this offseason and should both make immediate impacts.

The backcourt duo of Green and Perry should be able to thrive, Perry should have an expanded role from what he saw at Louisville and Green is in line for a big sophomore jump. Darin Green is definitely one of my breakout candidates for this upcoming season.

Green entered his name in the NBA Draft this offseason presumably to get feedback on where he stands, Green is a lethal outside shooter and if he continues to develop other parts of his game there’s no reason he can’t play pro ball.

The Knights bring back three of their top scorers from a team that didn’t score that many points, they’ll hope that guys returning will step up and that new faces like Walker and Perry will fill in and transition well. UCF scored less than 60 points in seven conference games losing all but one of them, some more consistency on offense should see the Knights improve on their 7-11 finish last season.