CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading to Selection Sunday on Mar. 16. Up next: The AAC Tournament.
This was another year when the preseason polls had the American Athletic Conference (AAC) shaking out differently than it did. The preseason named the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) to take the number one spot. However, the crew at CBB knew better. The talent and ability of the Memphis Tigers this year took our number one spot, and that is where they finished. In my mind, I had three top contenders for this league: Memphis, North Texas, and UAB.
The committee clearly picked UAB to repeat after winning last year’s AAC Tournament to fall short against a tough San Diego State team. With the transfer portal, predicting teams’ rankings and records has been difficult. However, the Memphis Tigers look to have the best chance to play spoiler as the lone team that doesn’t need to win to punch its ticket.
The 2023-2024 AAC Tournament was one of impressive feats as the championship game came down to 11-seed Temple and 4-seed UAB. These two teams beat the 1-seed South Florida and 2-seed Florida Atlantic University.
The AAC tournament lasts five days, with the first day being a play-in game for the 12 and 13 seeds. Will the AAC produce a bid stealer, or will the Tigers take complete control?
2025 AAC Conference Awards
Player of the Year: PJ Haggerty, Memphis
Freshman of the Year: Kam Williams, Tulane
Transfer of the Year: Jamal Mashburn Jr., Temple
Coach of the Year: Ron Hunter, Tulane
First Team:
- G: PJ Haggerty, Memphis (21.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 SPG)
- G: Jamal Mashburn Jr., Temple (22.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG)
- G: Primo Spears, UTSA (19.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.7 SPG)
- F: CJ Walker, ECU (10.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.9 BPG)
- F: Yaxel Lendenborg, UAB (17.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.7 BPG)
Second Team:
- G: RJ Felton, ECU (18.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG)
- G: Nik Graves, Charlotte (17.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG)
- G: Rowan Brumbaugh, Tulane (15.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG)
- F: Corey Washington, Wichita State (13.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG)
- F: Dain Dainja, Memphis (13.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG)
2025 AAC Tournament Simulation
First Round – Wed., Mar. 12
12. Rice (13-18, 4-14) vs. 13. Charlotte (10-21, 3-15) – 1:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+
At one point, UTEP was 7-4 in conference play. Then, they lost seven in a row, including a two-point road loss to Sam Houston five days ago. Lamar Wilkerson has been phenomenal down the stretch, including a 29-point performance in that game, and he’ll do enough to lead this team to the next round.
Jason’s pick: 12. Rice
Second Round – Thurs., Mar. 13
8. Wichita State (18-13, 8-10) vs. 9. USF (13-18, 6-12) – 11:30 a.m. CT on ESPNU
The Wichita State Shockers have been a team of streaks. After losing seven of their first eight games, the Shockers went on an incredible run of six straight, including a win against Memphis. However, UAB and North Texas ended that. Now, it becomes a question of whether they can bounce back and continue their sweep of USF. They beat them twice in the regular season and should be able to pull off a three-peat.
Jason’s pick: 8. Wichita State
5. Florida Atlantic (17-14, 10-8) vs. 12. Rice (13-18, 4-14) – 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU
This is the second meeting of these two teams, and it was a nail-biter as FAU came out ahead with a couple of free throws with the closing seconds on the clock. After that surprise, FAU hopes to show why they are the top Owls in the AAC.
Jason’s pick: 5. FAU
7. Temple (17-14, 9-9) vs. 10. Tulsa (12-19, 6-12) – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU
This is the first game that seems like a coin flip. These teams split their series, with each team winning on the road. Temple recently won without its best player, Mashburn Jr., who has been sidelined with a foot injury for the past month. Temple has found a groove and seems to have the advantage after a massive home win against North Texas to seal the 7-seed.
Jason’s pick: 7. Temple
6. ECU (18-13, 10-8) vs. 11. UTSA (12-18, 6-12) – 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU
The next coin flip on the docket is this game. ECU swept them in the regular season, but the first game was by one point, and the second took overtime. There is no question that ECU has the more talented players; however, this team has the ability to be upset. Being that I have stayed chalk, this game has to be the one that lands the wrong way. Sorry, Pirates, but I think you are sailing off into the sunset in this game.
Jason’s pick: 11. UTSA
Quarterfinals – Friday., Mar. 14
1. Memphis (26-5, 16-2) vs. 8. Wichita State – 12:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2
This should be a wire-to-wire battle. These teams split the game, and it is a constant grind. However, Memphis’s talent should win out. The Shockers have lost their defensive intensity, ball movement, and ability to create shots during the Wichita State basketball’s six-game winning streak. The Tigers offense should be able to work the team if the team can stay focused on the game plan instead of falling into the trap of being individual stars. This game is another coin flip, with both teams having their issues, but they also seem to bring out the best in each other.
Jasons pick: 1. Memphis
2. North Texas (23-7, 14-4) vs. 7. Temple – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU
After losing its final regular season to Temple, North Texas will be prepared for this game. This team slows the game down, has the talent, and is difficult to score on with its strong defense. The Mean Green had more scoring opportunities but did not convert like the team typically does. Atin Wright also struggled shooting, going 3-for-12 from the field to 18 points. I am also worried that Mashburn Jr. will try to return, and the flow that Temple has gotten into without him may cause issues for Temple.
Jason’s pick: 2. North Texas
4. Tulane Green Wave (18-13, 12-6) vs. 5. FAU – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2
Tulane handled FAU in their lone matchup. While I wish I could believe in FAU, the loss of some of its stars to Michigan, my trust in a first-year coach is minimal. The Owls have a “new” head coach and had a solid run in his first year. However, Tulane is moving on all cylinders right now with a healthy and in a rhythm team. With all the scoring threats and how the team shares the ball, FAU will have to cause turnovers and hope that Tulane struggles beyond the arc.
Jason’s pick: 4. Tulane
3. UAB (20-11, 13-5) vs. 11. UTSA – 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU
UAB narrowly escaped with a win in this two-team lone matchup this season. UTSA has been impressive under new head coach Austin Claunch. This will be UAB’s first game in the tournament. UTSA will have a game under its belt, and I am calling for the upset. Primo Spears continues to be a standout in the AAC. The team has found a flow without Raekwon Horton, who has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. The new lineup has been solid, and in their final game, every starter hit double-digits. The lack of gameplay could be what ends UAB’s solid year. However, the additional preparation time could assist in allowing the Blazers to take down the Roadrunners.
Jason’s pick: 11. UTSA
Semifinals – Sat., Mar. 15
2. North Texas vs. 11. UTSA – 4:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2
These two teams split the regular season. However, UTSA ended Mean Green’s six-game win streak. This is the last lucky number in the AAC, as they lost in game seven, with Memphis being the only team to hit seven wins in a row in conference play. This game truly comes down to who will win over 40% of their shots from the field. With that number being the one to hit, it is difficult not to trust in the Mean Green. This team is gritty, and it wasn’t a blowout even in their loss. As long as North Texas dictates the style of play, the run will be ended by UTSA.
Jason’s pick: 2. North Texas
1. Memphis vs. 4. Tulane – 2:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2
These two teams meet for the second this season. Memphis had the upper hand in the first meeting. However, the Green Wave has changed its surge in the two months since. The billow of this offensive and ball-moving team is about to cause the Tigers to fight a strong curl. Tulane has found strength and has a fight that won’t happen in Memphis. After securing its bid and likely inability to change its seeding, this team has little to play for out of pride. The tide is turning, and I am riding this Green Wave into the Semifinals.
Jason’s pick: 4. Tulane
Finals – Sun., Mar. 16
2. North Texas vs. 4. Tulane – 2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN
These two teams have their second meeting. Tulane struggled behind the arc in their first meeting. The Green Wave has found a rhythm, and I expect an all-battle here. North Texas’ ability to switch defenses and slow down the game may disrupt that rhythm. However, if it becomes a shootout, Tulane will take it home. However, North Texas has surprised many people in their second year under head coach Ross Hodge. I hate to say it, but the pace and defense will be too much for Coach Ron Hunter and the Green Wave to overcome. After making it to the NIT’s second round last year, the Mean Green have their eyes on the NCAA tournament.
Jason’s pick: 2. North Texas