As non-conference play winds down, the American Conference is beginning to take shape. There is a clear frontrunner at the top, but much of the league remains tightly packed, with several teams capable of climbing once conference play begins. Early results and NET rankings provide some separation, yet the margin between the middle tiers is thin, setting the stage for movement throughout January and February.
1. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (11-1, NET: 40)
Tulsa checks in as the clear No. 1 team in the conference. The Golden Hurricane are up to No. 40 in the latest NET rankings and have won seven straight games since their lone loss at Kansas State.
While the wins have not come against elite competition, Tulsa has consistently taken care of business. In a recent victory, Jaylen Lawal scored 20 points off the bench. Tulsa will put its one-loss record on the line on the road at Western Kentucky on Friday, host Denver on Monday, and open conference play on New Year’s Eve at home against Rice.
2. Florida Atlantic Owls (8-3, NET: 111)
Florida Atlantic is 8-3 on the season with losses to Liberty, George Mason, and St. Bonaventure. Since that last loss, the Owls have won three straight games.
In their two most recent wins, FAU has averaged 108.5 points per game. The offense is anchored by Devin Vanterpool, who is scoring more than 17 points per game. Florida Atlantic will travel to Saint Mary’s on Friday night, return home to host UCF on December 23, and begin conference play on New Year’s Eve against UTSA.
3. South Florida Bulls (6-4, NET: 77)
South Florida enters conference play with one of the stronger NET rankings in the league. The Bulls are in the middle of a two-game winning streak after bouncing back from a home loss to Colorado State.
Victories over Utah State and Charleston have stabilized momentum, though a difficult road test at Alabama is still ahead. South Florida will return home to host UMBC before opening American Conference play on January 4 against UAB.
4. Wichita State Shockers (6-5, NET: 92)
Wichita State likely did not expect to have five losses this early in the season. Recent defeats to DePaul and Western Kentucky have been setbacks, though the Shockers do own a strong road win over Northern Iowa.
Kenyon Giles leads the team with 17 points per game. Wichita State is scoring 76.5 points per game while allowing just 66.7. The Shockers will face Wofford and Eastern Kentucky before opening conference play on December 31 at UAB.
5. Memphis Tigers (4-5, NET: 124)
Memphis has been one of the more surprising teams in the conference, and not in a good way. Many expected the Tigers to sit near the top of the league, but they are just 4-5 entering a key stretch.
That said, Memphis has won four of its last five games, including a notable win over Baylor. The most recent concern came in a 26-point loss to Louisville, where the Tigers allowed a season-high 99 points. Dug McDaniel leads the team at 14.1 points per game. Memphis will host North Texas on December 31 to open conference play.
6. North Texas Mean Green (8-3, NET: 183)
North Texas has taken a familiar path, winning games with defense. The Mean Green are allowing fewer than 65 points per game, though scoring continues to be a challenge at just 69.1 points per contest.
Their three losses have come to Oregon State, Saint Mary’s, and TCU, all on the road. A recent road win over South Alabama helped regain momentum. North Texas will open conference play on the road at Memphis.
7. UAB Blazers (7-4, NET: 126)
UAB is coming off a tough home loss to Troy, their fourth loss in 11 games. Earlier in the season, the Blazers put together a five-game winning streak after back-to-back losses to NC State and Alabama State.
That streak was snapped by a loss at Middle Tennessee. Chance Westry leads the team in both scoring and assists, averaging 15.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. UAB opens conference play at home against Wichita State.
8. Tulane Green Wave (7-4, NET: 260)
While Tulane’s football team grabs headlines, the basketball program is off to a respectable 7-4 start. Rowan Brumbaugh leads the team at 19.1 points per game and recently scored 22 in a win.
As a team, Tulane is scoring 75.5 points per game but allowing nearly 79, which has shown up in blowout losses to Akron and San Diego. The Green Wave will look to regroup before opening conference play at East Carolina.
9. Temple Owls (6-5, NET: 199)
Temple enters conference play on a two-game winning streak after losses to Rhode Island, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s earlier this month.
Derrian Ford leads the Owls at 18.1 points per game, while Jordan Mason contributes 10.5 points and five assists per contest. Temple will play at Davidson and host Princeton before opening conference play on December 30 at Charlotte.
10. Charlotte 49ers (4-7, NET: 193)
Charlotte is 4-7 on the season but checks in just outside the top 190 in the NET rankings. The 49ers have dropped back-to-back games against Utah State and Charleston.
Ben Bradford leads the team with 14 points per game while playing 27.4 minutes per night. Charlotte will have chances to pick up wins before opening conference play at home against Temple.
11. Rice Owls (5-6, NET: 225)
Rice has quietly turned its season around. After starting 1-6, the Owls have won four straight games, including victories over Oral Roberts, Texas State, Arkansas State, and Southwest Christian.
Rice will travel to Pepperdine before opening conference play on the road at Tulsa on New Year’s Eve.
12. UTSA Roadrunners (4-6, NET: 308)
UTSA enters league play after three straight losses to South Alabama, Alabama, and Colorado. The Roadrunners’ four wins have not come against notable competition.
Jamir Simpson leads the team at nearly 19 points per game. UTSA opens conference play on the road at Florida Atlantic.
13. East Carolina Pirates (4-7, NET: 310)
East Carolina sits at the bottom of the conference despite a recent win over Buffalo that snapped a two-game losing streak.
Jordan Riley leads the Pirates with 21.5 points per game, but as a team, ECU is scoring just 67.9 points per game, one of the lowest marks in the country. The Pirates will host Presbyterian and travel to North Carolina before conference play begins.
While Tulsa has established early control, the rest of the American Conference is far from settled. With contrasting styles, uneven resumes, and plenty of head-to-head opportunities ahead, league play should bring rapid changes to these rankings. As always in the American, consistency will go along way towards winning a championship.