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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Cincinnati Bearcats guard David DeJulius Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bearcats guard David DeJulius Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

. . Bearcats . 2. team. 449.

Cincinnati is entering its second year under Wes Miller. While some of the core pieces are back from an underwhelming season, the results should be much different.

There were plenty of obstacles facing Miller after his predecessor John Brannen was fired following a rash of negative transfer decisions. Cincinnati had a good squad but was predicted to finish in the middle of the pack last year and did, going 7-11 in conference play.

The most significant loss was guard Mike Saunders Jr., who transferred to Utah. While he didn’t start a single game last year, he finished fourth in scoring and was one of the most reliable bench players in the nation.

Most of last year’s team is back, though. The returning core and a couple of high-level transfers could be all the boost the Bearcats need.

David DeJulius is back. The former Michigan transfer averaged a career-high 14.5 points per game last season, earning Third Team All-AAC accolades. He should lead the Bearcats into battle again.

Local guard Jeremiah Davenport is back. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his first season as a full-time starter. His 35.9 percent marksmanship from three ranked fourth in the AAC.

John Newman III and Mika Adams-Woods are also back. The two seniors have been through a lot of lumps with the program, but also know what it takes to win. They bring even more senior leadership to a veteran-laden roster.

Cincinnati also has a couple of big transfers in former Memphis star Landers Nolley II and former Indiana guard Rob Phinisee. The former Hoosier should shore up the bench, but Nolley projects to be one of the top scorers on the Bearcats.

Almost the entire rotation is filled with seniors. While that may not bode well for the future, that’s a problem for the Big 12 Bearcats. For AAC Cincinnati, the experience will definitely work to their advantage.

Cincinnati has taken home two AAC titles since joining the old Big East in 2005, which was rebranded in 2013. If they want to make it a trifecta, this is their last chance. It’s not a bad one.