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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CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 19: Keith Williams #2 of the Cincinnati Bearcats (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 19: Keith Williams #2 of the Cincinnati Bearcats (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Bearcats . 3. team. 449. . .

Never count out the Bearcats, they may look like they’re going to take a step back this season after the loss of one of the programs best ever players in Jarron Cumberland, but I think John Brannen and company are going to be just fine. Keith Williams is set to be the star of the team and he’s perfectly capable of leading this team to the tournament.

The Bearcats look to have found their answer to the primary ball handler situation with Michigan transfer David DeJulius. DeJulius was a bit of a surprise transfer for many, folks in Michigan through he was primed to compete for big minutes at the point guard spot for the Wolverines this season.

Michigan’s loss is Cincinnati’s gain, the numbers might not pop out but his contributions off the bench last season certainly didn’t go unnoticed. He’ll play a big role in the Bearcats new-look backcourt.

The Bearcats frontcourt will look a little different this season with double-double machine Tre Scott graduating. Chris Vogt should be primed to be the go-to guy down low, he announced this summer he’d be returning to UC after testing the draft waters. Freshman Tari Eason is a guy that could be battling for minutes right away, the four-star freshman is a solid two-way player and a potential replacement for Scott.

Brannen is going to need guys to step up next season look for Mika Adams Woods and Zach Harvey to have bigger roles as sophomores. Harvey is one of the Bearcats’ highest-rated recruits in program history but didn’t get to see the court very much last season with a deep backcourt.

Cincinnati is a team I expect to be in the mix for a tournament bid come the spring. Also, a reminder Cincinnati has never finished outside the top three since joining the AAC, won’t be surprised if they finish in that top three again.