AAC Preview: An Overlooked Championship Conference

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College Basketball

American Athletic Preview: An Overlooked Championship Conference

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) could be considered one of the more overlooked conferences in all of the collegiate sports. Even with a Central Florida football team going undefeated, they missed the playoffs as the entire conference’s reputation is that of a “poor man’s” Power 5 (ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac-12 & SEC). The conference, however, continues to bring in championships from multiple sports,  in particular, the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) women’s basketball team. Since the conference’s inception in 2014, the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team has won every AAC Tournament.

Prior to the berth of the AAC, the UConn basketball program resided in the Big East. UConn’s women won 18 Big East Tournaments, all under head coach Geno Auriemma. They also had two separate streaks of five or more consecutive championships. The beginning of the UConn women success began well before they were brought into the AAC, seamlessly unchallenged within their new home of a conference.

The UConn men’s team also holds their own when discussing championship-caliber programs. Despite only winning one AAC Tournament since joining the conference, the Huskies are tied for the most Big East Tournament titles of all-time (7 – tied with Georgetown).

Southern Methodist’s men’s team has won the most AAC Tournament titles (2) since 2014, but UConn’s presence gives the entire conference a much-needed championship facelift. Keep in mind that the conference also has Cincinnati, a recently dangerous team with past championship accolades.

Two AAC Titles for UConn?

What are the chances that UConn can win both the men’s and women’s conference championships? Probably 50% at the minimum, since the women are undefeated in winning the AAC Championship. Actually, the UConn women have never lost a game to a conference opponent since joining the AAC.

The question for this women’s conference shouldn’t be will UConn repeat, but it should be can they win it all? The UConn women have lost the National Championship two straight seasons, both games in overtime and their only losses for each season. It should be worth noting that South Florida (USF) has faced UConn in four straight AAC Championship games. If any team in the conference has a shot of dethroning the UConn women, it may be USF.

It will be up to the men, more than likely, for UConn to hoist both conference championships this year. With former head coach Kevin Ollie out and Dan Hurley in, the success has potential to come sooner rather than later. Dan Hurley comes over from Rhode Island, turning the Rams into an Atlantic-10 powerhouse. Hurley’s track record as a head coach is quite impressive, turning around two losing programs into winning ones in two years or less.

Hurley’s first year at Wagner saw him compile a 13-17 record, but going 9-9 in the conference before finishing 25-6 the next season. When Hurley took over at Rhode Island, his first two seasons saw a record of 22-39 (.036%). In his next four seasons, he finished 91-43 (.067%) including two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT appearance as well.

Connecticut Challengers?

Stated earlier, the USF women’s team probably has the best chance of dethroning UConn. Those chances aren’t very high, however, as UConn has outscored USF 331-219 in the four championship games they’ve played. The closest USF came to defeating UConn was during the 2014-15 season when they lost by 14 points.

During the 2016-17 season, Tulane came the closest to beating UConn out of all the conference foes. On Feb. 18, 2015, Tulane fell short to the Huskies by three points while defending the home court.

The newly acquired Wichita State adds depth to the men’s conference, as they will enter their sophomore year within the AAC. Cincinnati and SMU are also formidable picks in the men’s conference, but Houston has officially put themselves among the conference contenders. Houston did lose Rob Gray, who led the team in points and assists a year ago.

Houston men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson has produced three consecutive 20+ win seasons for Houston. This, along with a track record that includes 14 NCAA Tournament appearances with four different programs makes Houston a great “sleeper” pick to win the AAC. Memphis will have a new head coach in Penny Hardaway; which could be intriguing to see, but a long shot to win.

Conference Facts

• 10 of the 12 men’s teams in the AAC return more than 50% of their points and minutes from a year ago.
• The men’s UCF, Memphis, and Temple teams all return more than 70% of their points from last season.
• The men’s East Carolina, SMU, and UConn teams all return at least 60% of their minutes from a year ago.
• There are three, first-year head coaches:
  • Dan Hurley (Connecticut Men)
  • Penny Hardaway (Memphis Men)
  • Joe Dooley (East Carolina Men)
• The UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, Houston, and USF women teams all made the NCAA Tournament last year.
• UConn’s women team looks to make a 12th straight Final Four appearance this season.

Photo credit to doublegsportsimages via Flickr