AAC next year

[wichshock65]

These guys gotta be preseason conference favorite. Who would have thunk it a couple years ago when realignment was announced.

[SubGod22]

You're not wrong. My way too early guesstimate of preseason rankings would be

1 - FAU
2 - Memphis
3 - UAB
4 - Tulane
5 - North Texas
6 - Wichita
7 - Rice
8 - Temple
9 - SMU
10 - Charlotte
11 - ECU
12 - USF
13 - Tulsa
14 - UTSA

I'm not sure how many rosters are set so this is subject to change. I also need to do more research on who lost who on what was added. But I think this is a decent ballpark of preseason expectations. I might shuffle a few around upon more research.

[forevershockerfan]

Predictions of how many estimated teams from AAC will Dance. 2, maybe 3? Remember when WSU was in the Valley and 4 teams made it? Rare to hear such whining, wailing, and crying of crocodile tears that ensued that Year.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

You're not wrong. My way too early guesstimate of preseason rankings would be

1 - FAU
2 - Memphis
3 - UAB
4 - Tulane
5 - North Texas
6 - Wichita
7 - Rice
8 - Temple
9 - SMU
10 - Charlotte
11 - ECU
12 - USF
13 - Tulsa
14 - UTSA

I'm not sure how many rosters are set so this is subject to change. I also need to do more research on who lost who on what was added. But I think this is a decent ballpark of preseason expectations. I might shuffle a few around upon more research.

This is a pretty solid guesstimate. A few thoughts for the sake of discussion:

• I think the preseason top 3 is locked in, with the order remaining the same as you have listed. I don't see any other team jumping up that high.
• FAU, Memphis, and UAB are probably the only AAC teams with genuine NCAAT aspirations at this time.
• ECU has something cooking under Mike Schwartz. I wouldn't be surprised if they finish in the top half of the league.
• Memphis, WSU, North Texas, Charlotte, USF, Temple, and Tulsa still have multiple open scholarships so they have room for growth.
• SMU looks pretty solid on paper (NIT ceiling imo) but many seem to think Rob Lanier is a bad coach. Big year for him to prove he can do more than recruit.
• Rice has never played good defense under Scott Pera but this is their most talented team ever.
• UTSA is going to be competing with the 0-18 Tulane squad for worst AAC team ever.

[SubGod22]

This is a pretty solid guesstimate. A few thoughts for the sake of discussion:

• I think the preseason top 3 is locked in, with the order remaining the same as you have listed. I don't see any other team jumping up that high.
• FAU, Memphis, and UAB are probably the only AAC teams with genuine NCAAT aspirations at this time.
• ECU has something cooking under Mike Schwartz. I wouldn't be surprised if they finish in the top half of the league.
• Memphis, WSU, North Texas, Charlotte, USF, Temple, and Tulsa still have multiple open scholarships so they have room for growth.
• SMU looks pretty solid on paper (NIT ceiling imo) but many seem to think Rob Lanier is a bad coach. Big year for him to prove he can do more than recruit.
• Rice has never played good defense under Scott Pera but this is their most talented team ever.
• UTSA is going to be competing with the 0-18 Tulane squad for worst AAC team ever.

To your first point, I agree. Obviously, it's what I'd just posted lol.

Second point, I also agree. Those three teams enter the season with legitimate NCAA goals.

I do like what ECU has brought in and they showed some signs of life last year. I was tempted to move them up, but couldn't do it. Though upon reflection I wouldn't have any issues flipping them and SMU. SMU has recruited pretty well, but the new coach does have a lot to prove. I think I gave them benefit of the doubt simply because SMU has had more success than ECU since we've shared a conference.

Memphis will find talent to fill their spots. Jury is still out on Wichita. North Texas lost a couple of players, but keeping the AHC to take over has probably helped. Not sure who they've brought in. Charlotte lost a couple of their best players. Had they not, I'd have probably had them 5th. We'll see how they fill those holes. I like the USF hire, but I don't know what they've brought in other than a couple of Kennesaw guys. But I think they will get better. I wanted to put them higher than 12, but there's too many unknowns. Tulsa has brought in some decent talent. They're another that I wanted to put higher on the list, but they're in prove it territory for me right now. I won't be shocked if they end up in the 7-10 range in the standings. They should be better this year.

Rice was in a lot of games last year. They have the firepower to probably compete with most any team in the conference. Defense optional is always a risk and will bite you. Hopefully they're able to get some good wins early and provide some value to the top of the conference. I'm kind of excited to see what they do over the next few years. Their recruiting is one of the best in the conference on paper.

UTSA will get better over time. They actually had a better NET rating than Tulsa last year, but they're a mess. While Tulsa has gotten better, I'm not sure UTSA has. I do know they have talked about investing in basketball more now that they have football in a good place. So I'm hopeful that we will see some progress over the next few years. There is potential there if they can do things the right way.

[Topshock]

These guys gotta be preseason conference favorite. Who would have thunk it a couple years ago when realignment was announced.

It is a good story and the kind of culture I am hopeful our coach can build here.

[Stickboy46]

Wonder if Houston will fall back to a cellar dweller that gets 500 fans to a game once Sampson bounces to the NBA.

[Dan]

Wonder if Houston will fall back to a cellar dweller that gets 500 fans to a game once Sampson bounces to the NBA.

Yes

[shock]

I don’t think so. I think they are an attractive job now.

[Atxshoxfan]

I don’t think so. I think they are an attractive job now.

Isn't Kellen HC in waiting? If so maybe dad is trying to help him out a bit.

[Shocktoberfest]

Word on the street is that Sampson has withdrawn his name from contention. No dirty grey sweats are allowed on the sidelines.

[Dan]

Isn't Kellen HC in waiting? If so maybe dad is trying to help him out a bit.

Kellen could also be the next Pat Knight. Good for Houston though for getting their coach back. UH is a lot like WSU with its basketball. One wrong hire and things could go south really quick.

[Stickboy46]

Lol if true. Wonder what the waiver would even be for? He's damn near 30 now

[shoxlax]

Lol if true. Wonder what the waiver would even be for? He's damn near 30 now

That has to be a joke.

[Stickboy46]

That has to be a joke.

It's not