AAC Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

Quarterfinals matchups

#1 Wichita State vs. #8 USF

Wichita State is coming in, winners of their last eight and among the hottest teams in the country. Their slate includes a win over Houston and a season-finale 17 point win over South Florida.

USF was held to just 20% from three-point range and had 15 turnovers. It was Etienne and Dennis, who combined for 35 in the game after the Shockers drained 11 3’s.

An opponent is hard to beat three times and USF brings more energy than in the season finale. However, Wichita State has too much talent and prevails to the semi-finals.

Prediction: Wichita State 81, USF 74

#5 Cincinnati vs. #4 SMU

Cincinnati has had the definition of an up-and-down season. From losing six of their first eight to start the season, all the way to winning four straight in conference play. They were also apart of the aforementioned weird scheduling when they lost by 14 to Vanderbilt on March 4.

The comforting advantage over the Mustangs is that SMU has not been able to even practice for almost five weeks. That takes a massive amount to overcome. Cincinnati meanwhile, is coming off a 13 point win at East Carolina on Sunday.

SMU hopes of making the NCAA Tournament are gone in the quarterfinals as Cincinnati cruises in the second half to secure a spot in the Semi-Finals.

Prediction: Cincinnati 70, SMU 56

#2 Houston vs. #7 Tulsa

Houston is coming off a buzzard beating shot from Tramon Mark to down Memphis in a wild finish. Tulsa comes off a win against Tulane in the first round.

After Tulsa upended Houston for their first loss of the season, Houston returned the favor with a 27 point thrashing of the Golden Hurricane. The first loss came on a night, where Houston shot just 19% from beyond the arc and lost by just one point.

Houston advances to the Semi-Finals while playing similarly to how they did in the second matchup during the regular season.

Prediction: Houston 78, Tulsa 62

#3 Memphis vs. #6 UCF

After back-to-back wins over East Carolina, UCF would have won their sixth straight game. Meanwhile, the Tigers are coming off of an emotional loss to Houston on a buzzer-beater. This smells like an upset to me.

The Tigers blitzed the Knights during the regular season, blowing them out by 27 and 14. However, both of those games were in Memphis and on a neutral court in March, anything can happen.

This is the same UCF team that has wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Cincinnati. Led by a hellacious effort from Darius Perry and elite three-point shooting, UCF pulls off the first major upset of the AAC Tournament.

Prediction: UCF 64, Memphis 60