Memphis Poised for AAC Tournament Domination, NCAA Tournament Seeding on the Line
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) men’s basketball tournament tips off this week with the Memphis Tigers standing as the undisputed frontrunner. Regardless of their performance in the tournament, Memphis has already secured a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament, a testament to their strong regular-season showing. However, the stakes remain high for Penny Hardaway’s squad, as a dominant showing in the AAC tournament could propel them to a No. 7 or even a No. 6 seed in the national tournament.
Memphis has demonstrated its clear superiority over the conference, highlighted by a flawless 7-0 record against fellow AAC teams with winning records. This dominance underscores the significant gap between the Tigers and the rest of the conference contenders. Under the guidance of Coach Hardaway, the team is making its third consecutive tournament appearance, demonstrating consistent growth and solidifying its position as a national player.
Adding to their impressive credentials, Memphis boasts a series of notable non-conference victories against formidable opponents such as Missouri, Connecticut, Michigan State, Clemson, and Mississippi. These wins serve as a clear warning to potential March Madness opponents: Memphis is not to be taken lightly.
Potential Challengers Emerge, But Doubts Linger
While Memphis appears to be the team to beat, a few potential challengers could emerge. North Texas and Alabama-Birmingham are the teams most likely to threaten the Tigers’ dominance, although their chances are viewed with skepticism. Memphis swept both teams during the regular season.
North Texas put up a strong fight in a close 68-64 loss to Memphis earlier in the season, holding their own for much of the game. However, a subpar shooting performance from beyond the arc ultimately hampered their chances of victory. Alabama-Birmingham has struggled to match Memphis’ prowess.
Given the season’s trajectory, it would be a surprise if anyone other than Memphis is hoisting the AAC tournament trophy on Sunday afternoon.
Tournament Schedule Unveiled
The tournament action commenced with a first-round matchup on Wednesday, featuring Charlotte defeating Rice. The schedule unfolds as follows:
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Second Round (Thursday, March 13):
- South Florida vs. Wichita State, 12:30 p.m.
- Florida Atlantic vs. Charlotte, 2:30 p.m.
- Tulsa vs. Temple, 7 p.m.
- Texas-San Antonio vs. East Carolina, 9 p.m.
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Quarterfinals (Friday, March 14):
- Memphis vs. South Florida-Wichita State winner, 1 p.m.
- Tulane vs. Florida Atlantic-Charlotte winner, 3:30 p.m.
- North Texas vs. Tulsa-Temple winner, 7 p.m.
- Alabama-Birmingham vs. Texas-San Antonio-East Carolina winner, 9:30 p.m.
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Semifinals (Sunday, March 15):
- Memphis-South Florida-Wichita State winner vs. Tulane-Florida Atlantic-Charlotte winner, 3 p.m.
- North Texas-Tulsa-Temple winner vs. Alabama-Birmingham-Texas-San Antonio-East Carolina winner, 5:30 p.m.
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Championship (Sunday, March 16):
- Semifinal winners, 3:15 p.m.
Key Players to Watch
Several players have the potential to significantly impact their teams’ tournament fortunes:
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PJ Haggerty, G, Memphis: Haggerty, the AAC’s leading scorer, has been on a tear since a subpar performance against Wichita State. His ability to score and draw fouls makes him a dangerous offensive weapon.
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Yaxel Lendenborg, F, Alabama-Birmingham: Lendenborg is a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging impressive numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. His all-around game could propel the Blazers into contention.
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Quincy Ballard, C, Wichita State: Ballard showcased his potential in Wichita State’s upset win over Memphis, demonstrating his ability to score, rebound, and block shots.
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Atin Wright, G, North Texas: Wright, the league’s top three-point shooter, has the potential to catch fire and lead UNT past Memphis. He’s capable of scoring in bunches.
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Rowan Brumbaugh, G, Tulane: Brumbaugh has been a consistent scorer for Tulane, consistently reaching double figures in scoring. His ability to score and distribute the ball makes him a key player for the Green Wave.
NCAA Tournament Implications Beyond Memphis
Beyond Memphis, only North Texas has a remote chance of sneaking into the NCAA Tournament without winning the AAC tournament. The Mean Green currently sit at 60th in the NET rankings but lack a crucial Quad 1 victory. Therefore, for any team other than Memphis to reach the NCAA Tournament, they must secure the AAC’s automatic bid by winning the tournament.
This scenario places the AAC in a potential "spoiler" role, where a team like North Texas or Alabama-Birmingham could potentially upset Memphis and snatch the conference’s automatic bid, leaving the Tigers as the only representative. However, based on their dominant season, an upset seems unlikely.
Memphis: The Clear Favorite
In conclusion, the AAC tournament is Memphis’s to lose. The Tigers have demonstrated throughout the regular season that they are a cut above the rest of the conference. Their strong offense, solid defense, and experienced coaching staff make them a formidable opponent. While teams like North Texas and Alabama-Birmingham may pose a challenge, it would be a major surprise to see anyone other than Memphis celebrating on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers are poised to solidify their NCAA Tournament seeding and potentially make a deep run in the national tournament.
