Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Holden Walter-Warner

Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars players and coaches celebrate as confetti falls after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars players and coaches celebrate as confetti falls after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeAndre Williams Memphis Tigers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
DeAndre Williams Memphis Tigers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. team. 451. . . . Tigers

There seems to be less hype and drama surrounding the Memphis Tigers this season. That could work to Penny Hardaway’s advantage.

In Hardaway’s fourth season, the Tigers put controversy aside to finish third in the league and 22-11 overall. Memphis made the NCAA Tournament, where it lost to top-seed Gonzaga in a tight second-round contest.

It’s hard to write all the names gone from the program since there are so many. Jalen Duren and Josh Minott are in the NBA. Lester Quinones is in the G League. Landers Nolley II is still in the AAC, but at Cincinnati. Earl Timberlake is at Bryant. Emoni Bates is in legal trouble but as a member of the Eastern Michigan program.

All of those exits have allowed Memphis to fly under the radar, despite the fact that they’ll still have a good team. The discussion around Memphis in the offseason hasn’t been this quiet during Hardaway’s tenure before.

It starts with SMU transfer Kendric Davis, who simultaneously weakened a rival and strengthened the Tigers with his arrival. The reigning AAC Player of the Year averaged 19.4 points per game and immediately becomes Memphis’ best player.

Back in the saddle are also trusted veterans Alex Lomax and DeAndre Williams. Lomax has been around the program forever and is a steady hand for the Tigers. Williams hasn’t been around as long, but he was a Second Team All-AAC player after averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The trio of upperclassmen should give Memphis a sturdy group up top.

Depth for the Tigers may be a legitimate concern. There’s nobody else on the roster that immediately comes to mind as a playmaker or top-level scorer. Damaria Franklin and Elijah McCadden are intriguing additions, but landing Emmanuel Akot would’ve made a bigger impact.

Nevertheless, Memphis may have the best combination of talent and experience with its top trio. That alone should be enough to propel the Tigers to another top finish in the AAC and an NCAA Tournament berth.