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AAC Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Andrew Tineo

Jan 21, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Jaden Seymour (22) and Wichita State Shockers forward Clarence Jackson (25) react after the game against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Jaden Seymour (22) and Wichita State Shockers forward Clarence Jackson (25) react after the game against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bearcats Jeremiah Davenport AAC Basketball Vanderbilt At Cincinnati Basketball March 4
Cincinnati Bearcats Jeremiah Davenport AAC Basketball Vanderbilt At Cincinnati Basketball March 4 /

Key Teams

Team to beat: Houston

Kelvin Sampson’s squad last season made a ton of noise during the back half of the season, topping then-No. 16 Wichita State. They were streaky toward the back half, finishing 3-3. However, with the amount of returning production, the sky was the limit for the Cougars.

They have matched that this season, with a 21-3 record and multiple postseason honors. Grimes is expected to be a contender for conference player of the year, alongside Justin Gorham and Jarreau for potential All-Conference awards.

Houston is among the best teams defensively in the country and can shoot from anywhere around the perimeter when they need to.

It was a toss-up, with Wichita State winning the head-to-head battle. However, Houston has a slight advantage with veteran experience and veteran coach.

Top Contender: Wichita State

Wichita State had similar success to the Cougars, with reaching as high as No. 16 in the AP Top 25. Gregg Marshall turned the program into a consistent Mid-Major juggernaut.

With the departure over the off-season, Isaac Brown had a massive job to do in Kansas. He not only met expectations but exceeding them with a terrific regular season. They finished with the highest conference winning percentage since 2016-2017 when they were ranked as high as 19th in the AP.

The before mentioned Etienne has transformed into a star for the Shockers and has been helped with impact transfers in Alterique Gilbert and Trey Wade.

Team likeliest to surprise: Cincinnati

Cincinnati has had an unusual schedule, but who hasn’t this year. They played six non-conference games, with three of them coming from the SEC. Cincinnati doesn’t do anything super special with a relatively below-average offense and defense.

However, they rank third in points per game in conference play, while generating assists and rebounds well. They rank second and fourth in the conference in those categories.

Luckily for the Bearcats, their chances of a deep run have some favorable matchups involved.

Mick Cronin has worked his magic in the past in the tournament, bringing the Bearcats two trophies. Brannen has a chance to surprise the conference and make a run at a third-straight for Cincinnati.