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Tulane Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Green Wave

By Benjamin Zacher

Feb 16, 2020; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Tulane Green Wave guard Jordan Walker (2) drives to the basket for a lay up against Wichita State Shockers guard Tyson Etienne (1) during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2020; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Tulane Green Wave guard Jordan Walker (2) drives to the basket for a lay up against Wichita State Shockers guard Tyson Etienne (1) during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tulane Basketball
Tulane Basketball Jordan Walker Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Schedule

One of the biggest issues Tulane will run into this season is the American Athletic Conference.  I talked about the AAC in good length in an East Carolina preview last month, and I will summarize what I said: this is a troublesome high-major conference with some quality programs at the top of the league. Five teams won 20 games each last season, and UConn and SMU were behind at 19 apiece.

This likely will not be as deep of a conference again this season.  Houston, Memphis, and SMU are undoubtedly, and arguably by far and away, the best teams in the AAC this year.  That, if anything, benefits Tulane, particularly given the Green Wave’s glimpses of success last season.

Tulane finished with the worst record in the AAC last season at 4-14, but one of those wins came against Cincinnati – the regular season co-champions – while another came against SMU.  This is a Tulane team that has enjoyed winning moments and upsets, and they are capable of that again.

The AAC has, in a way, become a bit easier.  UConn, a borderline top-25 team this year, has left for the Big East.  Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Temple have all lost their leading scorers.  Wichita State is a dumpster fire.  There are a few potential up-and-comers this year – South Florida, UCF, and East Carolina – and Tulane could potentially be in that group.

Not much is known about Tulane’s non-conference schedule.  A three-day Tulane Classic appears to be set for late November, where the Green Wave will play host to IUPUI, Lamar, and Lipscomb.  A Dec. 5th match-up against Central Michigan and a to-be-scheduled game with Southern Miss round out Tulane’s scheduled mid-major romp.  All of these games are immensely winnable and should supply the necessary confidence needed for the young Green Wave crew.

A Dec. 22nd tilt at Florida State will, most likely, be the toughest opponent Tulane faces all season.  It will be beyond difficult to come away from Tallahassee with a victory, but any success and challenge will help the program prepare for the AAC regular season and beyond.