AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

If North Texas was in the AAC last year, they may have held a much higher spot in the power rankings. Much has changed for the Mean Green as they move to their new league, however, leaving them lean.

The Mean Green had more than 30 wins last year and captured the NIT title. While banners hang forever, the team’s top player and coach decided it was time to move on. Grant McCasland took the Texas Tech job, while star guard Tylor Perry transferred to Kansas State.

Ross Hodge has been an associate head coach for the Mean Green since 2017, so if there’s anyone that can continue the forward momentum of the program, it’s him. But a step back will be needed before Hodge can keep building up North Texas.

Low expectations do make the Mean Green dangerous, though. Particular attention needs to be bestowed on wing Aaron Scott, who can play both forward and guard while using his 6-foot-7 stature to his benefit. He was the only player to start every game for North Texas last year, averaging 7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Wichita State’s mid-major mojo vanished when Gregg Marshall was forced to leave the program. A new coach could revitalize the dormant squad.

Isaac Brown’s tenure, which started out surprisingly well after Marshall’s ouster, came to a quick end after three years. His replacement is Paul Mills, who took the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament twice over six years, including once to the second weekend.

Recognizable names from last year’s team are gone. Craig Porter Jr. is trying to crack the NBA – he signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers – and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler graduated.

This team now belongs to forward Kenny Pohto and guard Colby Rogers, the best returning players on the roster. Don’t sleep on transfer Jacob Germany, though, who averaged 12.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for UTSA last year, despite only starting 60 percent of the games he played in.