AAC Basketball: 2024 conference tournament preview and predictions

Tournament Superlatives

Team to Beat - South Florida

While most teams in the AAC were jockeying for position during the final days of the regular season, the South Florida Bulls were sitting pretty at the top of the league, having already cliched the regular season title. What Amir Abdur-Rahim has done in his first season with the program is ridiculous, and it's even more ridiculous to think that his team may not make the NCAA Tournament if it doesn't win the AAC Tournament (more on that later). South Florida may get Tulsa in the quarterfinals - one of two teams to beat the Bulls in conference play this year - but the program is in good position to ride the wave to the confetti drop in Fort Worth on Sunday.

Top Contender - Florida Atlantic

Because of the expectations entering the season, much has been made about what the Owls haven't done this season. For instance, they didn't emerge as the top mid-major in the country. But Florida Atlantic has still made its presence felt in its first season in the league, finishing second in the conference with a 14-4 record. All four of those losses were on the road and none were by more than four points. It's concerning that each of those defeats came against the other teams that finished in the top five of the league standings, but Florida Atlantic can clearly go toe-to-toe with any of them.

Dark Horse - Tulane

Tulane finished win a five-way tie at the bottom of the AAC. And yet, it's hard to quit the Green Wave, despite the disappointing season. There's still plenty of talent on the roster, including Kevin Cross, Sion James, and Jaylen Forbes. This team has beaten Memphis and Cal and almost beat FAU twice, though ultimately falling short both times. The results have to matter, but when Tulane is clicking, the talent is still there to threaten any team in the league.