2022-23 AAC Basketball Power Rankings Week 6

The Nerd gives his AAC basketball power rankings for week 6 of the 2022-23 college basketball season.

Matchups of the week: Houston vs. Virginia and Memphis vs. Alabama

Sneaky good matchup of the week: UCF vs. Ole Miss

All games listed are EST.

PUT HIM ON A POSTER 🖼@UHCougarMBK | #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/yupsk4q5Vv

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 10, 2022

1) Houston Cougars

Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)

Record: 9-1

Last week: North Florida (W) 76-42, No. 8 Alabama (L) 65-71

Next week: NC A&T (Dec. 13 – 8 p.m.), @ No. 2 Virginia (Dec. 17 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Saint Mary’s, Oregon, Oral Roberts, Kent State

Worst losses: N/A

With the opportunity to cement themselves as the team at the top of the NCAA in basketball, the Cougars fell just short. Marcus Sasser struggled to shoot the ball, and Alabama came in fighting for the ball. While Houston showed some defensive toughness, the fouls and lack of ball movement hurt the team. Only having six assists in a game is not how this team wins. The Crimson Tide also outrebounded the Cougars. Coach Sampson will have to get this win or a very close game against Virginia to ensure the unit remains ranked this week.

2) Memphis Tigers

Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)

Record: 8-2

Last week: Little Rock (W) 87-71, #15 Auburn (W) 82-73

Next week: @ No. 4 Alabama (Dec. 13 – 9 p.m.), Texas A&M (Dec. 17 – 7 p.m.)

Best wins: Auburn, Ole Miss, Stanford

Worst losses: N/A

A massive win for the Tigers and Coach Hardaway taking down Auburn. After Coach Larry Brown had to step down due to health complications, this team came together for big wins. Shooting the leather off the ball against Little Rock helped boost the team’s confidence as it shot over 50% in every category. Memphis came up with some big steals but continues to have turnover woes. When it comes to Auburn, Davis was the shining star grabbing nine rebounds, handing out six assists, coming up with two steals, and putting up 27 points. The ball movement that the Tigers utilize makes it very difficult to defend.

3) UCF Knights

Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)

Record: 7-2

Last week: Tarleton (W) 75-49

Next week: @ Ole Miss (Dec. 14 – 7:30 p.m.), Missouri (Dec. 17 – Noon)

Best wins: Oklahoma State, Western Illinois, Samford

Worst losses: UNC Asheville

The Knights and Coach Dawkins handled Tarleton in their lone game this week. UCF has some battles this week that could boost its NCAA resume. These games will be challenging, and I expect UCF to split the week. If the Knights can continue to roll and pick up these two wins, this team will be a legitimate threat as the team continues to find itself. The changes and the impressive freshman Taylor Hendricks have seemingly put a stranglehold on AAC Freshmen of the year.

4) East Carolina Pirates

Last week’s ranking: 4 (-)

Record: 7-4

Last week: @ UNC Wilmington (L) 61-74, Coppin State (W) 84-75

Next week: South Carolina (Dec. 17 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Toledo, UT Arlington, Mercer

Worst losses: Old Dominion, South Carolina State, UNC Wilmington

The Pirates split the week. After dropping a tough loss to the Seahawks on the road, an excellent addition to the ECU squad has been freshman Ezra Ausar, who, since his first game on Nov. 26, where he scored four points, has yet to be under double-digits. Coach Schwartz is doing a great job and seems to be getting this team on the same page. Already have a solid first season as the Pirates is just under halfway to the number of wins it had last season.

What a dime from @small_javon to @ezraausar who slams it home!

2H | 11:26
Eagles – 51
𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 – 𝟓𝟔#PurpleReign🏴‍☠️ pic.twitter.com/2dLdl3uZVc

— East Carolina Men’s Basketball (@ecubasketball) December 11, 2022

5) Cincinnati Bearcats

Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)

Record: 6-4

Last week: Xavier (L) 77-80

Next week: Miami, OH (Dec. 14 – 7 p.m.), La Salle (Dec. 17 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Cleveland State

Worst losses: Northern Kentucky

The Bearcats faced off against a crosstown rival in Xavier. The Skyline Chili Crosstown shoot-out provided a fun game. The loss was tough as Landers Nolley struggled offensively. The turnovers led to the loss for Cincinnati as they allowed 15, with nine coming from steals. Coach Miller hopes that Davenport and Adams-Woods find their rhythm and return to their averages. The Bearcats are missing a little more offense that could not compete with the Musketeers, who had four players with double-digit points.

6) Tulane Green Wave

Last week’s ranking: 6 (-)

Record: 6-3

Last week: Buffalo (W) 88-63

Next week: George Mason (Dec. 17 – 3:30 p.m.)

Best wins: Rhode Island, Charleston Southern, Buffalo

Worst losses: N/A

A massive game for Tulane. The Green Wave needed this win over Buffalo and showed out. This team is something to be terrified of because matching up with them is difficult. With five players averaging double-digits,  the unselfish play is incredible. Coach Ron Hunter now needs to get his team to go for rebounds. The Green Wave is causing turnovers, shooting the ball well, taking care of it, and moving it very well. If this team can start crashing boards on both ends of the floor, this team could be even more terrifying come to the NCAA tournament.

7) Temple Owls

Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)

Record: 6-5

Last week: Saint Joseph’s (W) 70-60, @ Penn (L) 57-77

Next week: @ Ole Miss (Dec. 17 – 5 p.m.)

Best wins: Villanova, Rutgers, VCU

Worst losses: Wagner, Vanderbilt, Penn

The Owls continue to surprise me as they grab weird wins and then lose weird games. This team does not seem to have any consistency. Khalif Battle and Hysier Miller are the two consistent scorers. Owls fans are seemingly going to be on a rollercoaster all season.

8) Wichita State Shockers

Last week’s ranking: 8 (-)

Record: 5-4

Last week: Longwood (W) 81-63

Next week: Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 13 – 8 p.m.), Oklahoma State (Dec. 17 – 9 p.m.)

Best wins: Richmond, Grand Canyon, Central Arkansas

Worst losses: Alcorn State

Isaac Brown seems to have found things that work. The Shocker players must earn playing time, starting in school and practicing. After being sat out last week, Jaron Pierre came in hot and scored 15 points off the bench. Another surprise came in his first real opportunity. Melvion Flanagan is a walk-on who gave life to a struggling Wichita State team. The guard play in this game was excellent. The Shockers are still needing to find the hunger for the ball. The team is not fighting for boards. The impressive part was the ball movement and the massive minutes from Quincy Ballard, who scared away Longwood from the lane. Posting five season-high blocks, the Shockers forced the Lancers to put up 3-pointers.

9) South Florida Bulls

Last week’s ranking: 11 (+2)

Record: 4-6

Last week: @ Northern Iowa (W) 72-69

Next week: Dartmouth (Dec. 16 – 7 p.m.), Hofstra (Dec. 19 – 7 p.m.)

Best wins: Saint Joe’s, St. Francis-BK, Charleston Southern

Worst losses: Southeast Missouri State, Austin Peay, Stetson

The Bulls are charging as they grab their fourth win. USF shot the ball well, moved the ball well, caused turnovers, and outrebounded the competition. The top three scorers continue to lead this team, and Selton Miguel’s boost from the bench has been an enormous help. Tyler has become the leader, and Russell Tchewa has finally stepped into the role I expected from him last year. The clutch shot by Tyler Harris was a thing of beauty and something that he was made for.

HIM @iamyoungty1 🤘#HornsUp | #AllinAllout pic.twitter.com/8TMvj3EkIp

— USF Men's Basketball (@USFMBB) December 13, 2022

10) Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Last week’s ranking: 9 (-1)

Record: 3-6

Last week: Detroit Mercy (L) 72-76, Central Michigan (W) 70-63

Next week: Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 16 – 8 p.m.)

Best wins: Loyola-Chicago, Central Michigan, Jackson State

Worst losses: Charlotte, Murray State

The Golden Hurricane split the week with a close loss and a success. The constant is great ball movement for Tulsa. The team continues to stack up assists and shoot the ball well but keeps falling back a little as the team causes some fouls. This week, both opponents got to the foul line more than 20 times and shot over 70% from the free-throw line.

11) SMU Mustangs

Last week’s ranking: 10 (-1)

Record: 3-7

Last week: Arizona State (L) 57-75, #24 TCU (L) 75-83

Next week: Off week

Best wins: Texas A&M-Comm., Evansville, Lamar

Worst losses: Louisville, Louisiana, Jackson State

A challenging way for SMU to get some of the tougher matchups for the year. The Mustangs cannot seem to find a rhythm in the offense. I can’t tell if it is poor shot selection, bad shots, or the team is off. The low shooting percentage from the floor is surprising. If this team could start knocking down shots, they could have won one of the games and made the second more competitive. SMU has some growing to do, and these pains are challenging.