AAC Basketball: Biggest strengths/weaknesses of each team in 2021-22

Memphis: Getting to the free-throw line

Memphis is the youngest and most athletic team in the conference, While the Tigers rely on their athleticism in most of what they do, they lead the nation in getting to the charity stripe. Memphis averages almost 26 free throws a contest as the Tigers draw slightly over 20 fouls a game (20th).

They are fourth in the country with 17.5 free throw makes, although they are sinking those shots at a 68.1% clip, and 30th in free throw rate at .373. Seven Tigers are attempting at least two free throws a game, led by Lester Quinones who is attempting nearly four a game. Tyler Harris, Alex Lomax, Emoni Bates, Landers Nolley as well as Quinones are shooting over 70% from the charity stripe,

Temple: Drawing fouls

The Owls, like the Tigers, have done an excellent job at drawing fouls. Temple is drawing a little over 19 fouls a game, resulting in almost 22 free throw attempts. However, the Owls are only connecting on 69.1% of their attempts from the charity stripe on the season. Dunn is the Owls best free-throw shooter connecting those shots at an 86% clip (3.4-4.2). However, they have four key contributors making less than 68% of their shots.

Tulsa: Keeping Opponents off the foul line

Tulsa is a below-average defensive team and owns a defensive rating of 100.7 as the Golden Hurricane’s opponents are shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc. However, Tulsa has done a fairly good job limiting their opponents from huge numbers on the scoreboard as they rarely send them to the free-throw line.

Part of the reason for Tulsa’s success at keeping opponents off the free throw line is due to the fact that they force nearly 16 turnovers a game. The Golden Hurricane’s opponents are going to the charity stripe at a rate of .243 (70th) and their FT/FG rate of .160 is the 46th lowest in the nation. Opponents are averaging just 13.7 free throws a contest as the Golden Hurricane have been whistled for less than 14 fouls a game.

South Florida: Pace

The Bulls know who they are, which is a young decently athletic squad that defends fairly well but shoots the ball poorly. USF plays the slowest pace in the American at just 64.6 possessions a game. This slow pace keeps their games low-scoring and helps their defense which has been pretty good.

USF allows the 50th fewest field goal attempts in the country as they do a fairly good job at defending the paint, holding opponents to less than 45% shooting on 2-point field goal attempts. Seven of their 12 opponents have scored less than 60 points.

Tulane (3-6): Youth/Future

Tulane can take some solace in  the fact that their top five players are either freshmen or sophomores. The Green Wave only have two seniors on the team and neither are among the top eight players in Ron Hunter’s rotation.

Tulane’s youngsters do have some talent. Freshman guard Jalen Cook leads the way for the Green Wave with 19.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Jaylen Forbes (16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG), Kevin Cross (13.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG. 3.6 APG), and Sion James (6.8. PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.7 APG) are the other top contributors.