AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

6. Cincinnati

Last year was bad for Cincinnati and a slew of factors, both on and off the court, lead the Bearcats to a change that’s now brought on former UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller. Even after all that chaos, Cincinnati still brings back a bit of their talent from last season and add a group of transfers, with three coming with miller from UNC Greensboro.

Junior forward Jeremiah Davenport (11.7 ppg) returns and should continue to develop into a lethal threat all over the court on offense. Transfers John Newman (3.7 ppg at Clemson) and Abdul Ado (5.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Mississippi State) look to bounce back after down years and should get starting minutes this season. Miller’s teams play hard all over the court and are typically solid defensive squads, and if some of these players can come together, then maybe Cincinnati gets back on track quicker than everyone thinks.

5. SMU

Much of last year’s talent returns for the Mustangs, which is good news from coach Tim Jankovich, who may need a significant season to save his job. SMU has been one of the better offensive teams in the AAC under Jankovich’s watch, though last year’s team was a bit different, playing more up-tempo and making significant strides on interior shooting. Not only do they return a few studs, led by guard Kendric Davis (19.0 ppg), but a crew of transfers slide nicely into the rotation.

Guards Zach Nutall (19.3 ppg at Sam Houston State) and Michael Weathers (16.5 ppg at Texas Southern) slide nicely into that lineup, though despite those gaudy numbers each struggled offensively at times last year. Former Baylor forward Tristan Clark gives SMU a potentially dominant big man in the interior. Last year’s defense was solid, but should now have the players and ability to take that big step forward, especially when the shots aren’t falling for the Mustangs.