AAC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Joey Loose | Jun 9, 2022

Mar 24, 2022; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) tries to save a ball from going out of bounds during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the semifinals of the South regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

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AAC Basketball Tulane Green Wave guard Jalen Cook Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Tulane

Among the surprises of last season in the AAC was the play of Tulane, coming together in coach Ron Hunter’s third year down in New Orleans. The Green Wave struggled out of conference, but put together a pretty solid season overall, finishing 10-8 in AAC play. The reason expectations are much higher is the level of young and established talent returning for next season.

Tulane was barely bitten by the transfer bug, getting guards Jalen Cook (18.0 ppg last year) and Jaylen Forbes (16.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg) back for their sophomore and junior years respectively. The Green Wave get talented forward Kevin Cross (13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) back and add former Georgetown wing Collin Holloway for depth. From last year’s rotation, they’ll also retain Jadan Coleman, Sion James, and RJ McGee, all of whom look to improve on solid starts to their careers.

This lineup is young, talented, and very familiar with each other. This Tulane team could be quite the surprise next season if everything goes their way and they avoid things like injuries. If anything, it should be one of the best teams Tulane has put forth in decades and one in position to break a 28-year NCAA Tournament drought.