CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2023. Up next: The AAC Tournament.
No surprise, as the top two seeds advanced into the AAC Tournament finals by massive margins. However, the Memphis Tigers defeated the Houston Cougars, 75-65 to capture the championship. DeAndre Williams and Kendric Davis had big games to lead the Tigers, but the Cougars looked lost on defense without Marcus Sasser.
CBB Review AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Kendric Davis, Memphis
Kendric Davis’ experience and leadership significantly boost this Memphis team. This team has grown around him and DeAndre Williams being great role models. His scoring ability and stat line for this tournament are flat-out impressive. Davis is a piece that had this team had last year, would have been competing against Houston potentially in the Final Four.
CBB Review All-AAC Tournament First Team
- G: Kendric Davis, Memphis – 3 games played (28.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, 54.5 3P%)
- G: Jamal Shead, Houston – 3 games played (14.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG)
- G: Landers Nolley, Cincinnati – 2 games played (18.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 41.1 3P%)
- F: DeAndre Williams, Memphis – 3 games played (26.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 58.0 FG%, 66.7 3P%)
- F: Ezra Ausar, East Carolina – 2 games played (14.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.5 APG)
Memphis’ NCAA Tournament Prediction
Sweet 16
Memphis has so much going right for them. After a big win against the number one team in the nation, they will get next year’s conference opponent in Florida Atlantic in the round of 64. This team should cruise past them.
You are excited about the next matchup but think that Memphis’ guard play and leader in Kendric Davis could be too much for Purdue to handle. If they can remove Davis, DeAndre Williams’ ability to stretch the floor and attack big men will be an issue. The other pieces on this team will be vital, but I also expect that Malcolm Dandridge and, potentially, Williams to cause problems for Zach Edey.
[…] Hardaway nearly coached them to two wins over Houston – one close loss and one win in the AAC Championship. Even despite some seasons falling below the bar, Hardaway has put together five straight 20-win […]