20. Memphis Tigers - 17-4 (7-1 AAC)
Before the season started, one storyline emerged in the AAC via its preseason rankings. Instead of Memphis, it was the UAB Blazers, thanks to returning star forward Yaxel Lendeborg. But it was clear early on that was a mistake, with the Tigers looking like a top 25 team, while UAB suffered several bad losses to have no postseason hopes outside of the autobid.
And last Sunday, Memphis reminded folks who the king of the American is, getting a dominant 100-77 home win over the Blazers. Lendeborg (18 pts and 10 rebs) had a solid game for the Blazers but Memphis had the best player in the game, as PJ Haggerty went for 23 points and nine assists, joined by 21 points and eight rebounds from Dain Dainja.
The next game was at Tulane, a team that has given the Tigers fits in recent years. That proved to be the case again, with the Waves leading in the second half. However, a late lead by the Tigers allowed them to pull away with a 68-56 victory. Dainja had 19 points again, while Colby Rogers and PJ Carter each chipped in with 14 points.
Road games have been tricky for Memphis, and their next one is on the road, taking on the Rice Owls. After that, they take on Tulsa at home. As the Temple loss earlier showed, the Tigers are still vulnerable in AAC play.