Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

By Joey Loose

Mar 13, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) dribbles the ball against Memphis Tigers guard Landers Nolley II (3) during the second half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) dribbles the ball against Memphis Tigers guard Landers Nolley II (3) during the second half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports /
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AAC Basketball Jeremiah Williams Temple Owls (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
AAC Basketball Jeremiah Williams Temple Owls (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

8. Tulsa

Tulsa was not as hard hit as some of the other AAC schools by the transfer market, but they did see the departures of last year’s two top leading scorers in Brandon Rachal and Elijah Joiner. Last year was coach Frank Haith’s worst season at Tulsa since taking over the program in 2014, though there’s reason to believe the Golden Hurricane will be improved this year. There’s been a few additions to the rotation, hoping to boost a team that was one of the worst in the nation at both 3-point shooting and defensive rebounding.

An extra year for guard Darien Jackson (7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is a great start, as well as the addition of UT Arlington guard Sam Griffin (13.3 ppg), who should greatly improve that exterior shooting clip. Tulsa throws in Colorado transfer Jeriah Horne (10.8 ppg), who spent the previous two seasons with the Golden Hurricane and knows Haith’s system well. It’s hard to understand this early just how this Tulsa squad will come together, especially after last season’s struggles.

7. Temple

We’ve already considered a few teams with major roster overhauls; it can be an ordeal trying to fit all those pieces in just right and figuring out what your team is capable of doing. Now in year three as head coach, Aaron McKie brings back most of his roster, including his top four scorers, and looks to finally take a step forward after struggling these last few seasons in the AAC. Interior offense has been abysmal for Temple, but can these faces make an impact in this conference this season?

Among those top returning scorers are talented guards Khalif Battle (15.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Damian Dunn (13.5 ppg), and Jeremiah Williams (9.3 ppg). Forward Jake Forrester (9.3 ppg) plays a significant role in the interior, but this Owls program needs to get better at taking care of the basketball and getting it done at the rim. The bottom line is that a big step forward from any of these dynamic guards could propel this program back into contention, though a middle-of-the-pack finish is far more likely.