AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season
2368. . . . Blazers . 4. team
Andy Kennedy’s UAB Blazers grew to be one of the best teams in Conference USA, reaching the NIT title game a year ago. As the coach begins his fourth season in a new conference, UAB’s depth should keep the Blazers in an elevated territory.
UAB’s ascendance was spurred largely by two players: Jordan “Jelly” Walker and Trey Jamison. Both players’ importance and skill can’t be understated and they each have a chance to latch on to an NBA roster, something a Blazer hasn’t done since Elijah Millsap.
Still, UAB is deep, especially after bringing in numerous transfers. Most of the team’s primary rotation will consist of upperclassmen, giving the team an experience advantage over many of its conference opponents.
Guard Eric Gaines is one of the conference’s best players, exemplified by his selection for the preseason All-AAC First Team. The former LSU guard averaged 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game last year, flirting with the NBA Draft before deciding to return.
3. team. 2116. . . . Green Wave
Tulane had one of its best seasons in recently memory last year, narrowly missing out on an NCAA Tournament berth. Ron Hunter should be able to keep the momentum going, though the Green Wave are at risk of disappointing.
Tulane had high expectations last year, due to the presence of the two Ja(y)lens: Jalen Cook and Jaylen Forbes. The former transferred to LSU during the offseason, though.
Forbes is back, though, and should be one of the conference’s leading scorers. Last year, he averaged 18.5 points per game and became the program’s single-season record holder for three-point makes with 84. His ability to score from all three levels of the court make him impossible to contain.
Sion James also showed he could handle a heavy workload in the backcourt last year, leading the conference in minutes while averaging 9.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. His presence should make Cook’s departure hurt a little less.
The Green Wave are a rising tide, recently landing the program’s best recruit ever. Whether or not this is a bridge year will depend on how often Forbes can take over.