CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 15. Up next: The American Tournament.
A major shift has arrived in the American Tournament format this season. Instead of the traditional bracket, the league has moved to a step-ladder format that includes only the top 10 teams in the conference.
The new system heavily rewards the teams at the top of the standings. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive a double bye, meaning they will not play until Saturday’s semifinals. Meanwhile, the 7–10 seeds must begin play on Wednesday and would need to win five games in five days to capture the title.
The American was extremely competitive in the middle of the standings all season, with several teams making late pushes to create separation. At the top, however, four teams finished the year with 20+ wins, highlighting the strength of the conference’s upper tier.
The bottom half of the standing was far tighter. The final six teams finished within one game of each other, forcing multiple tiebreakers to determine seeding.
Final Seeds in that group:
- 5. Charlotte (9-9)
- 6. North Texas (9-9)
- 7. Florida Atlantic (9-9)
- 8. Memphis (8-10)
- 9. Tulane (8-10)
- 10. Temple (8-10)
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Memphis, a preseason favorite, finishing near the bottom of the bracket. Despite the disappointing record, the Tigers remain one of the most talented rosters in the field. With the transfer portal reshaping rosters across the league, the American has become a conference full of impactful transfers. Only Jordan Riley, Rowan Brumbaugh, and Devin Vanterpool ranked among the top ten scorers while remaining with the same program as the previous season. I am giving my awards slightly differently since the American has already posted theirs. Their awards can be found here.
2026 American Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Jordan Riley, East Carolina
Freshman of the Year: Josiah Parker, FAU
Transfer of the Year: Kenyon Giles, Wichita State
Coach of the Year: Bryan Hodgson, USF
First Team:
- G: Jordan Riley, East Carolina (23.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG)
- G: Kenyon Giles, Wichita State (19.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.7 SPG)
- G: Rowan Brumbaugh, Tulane (18.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG)
- F: David Green, Tulsa (16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG)
- F: Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida (15.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG)
Second Team:
- G: Derrian Ford, Temple (18.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 SPG)
- G: Je’Shawn Stevenson, North Texas (18.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG)
- G: Wes Enis, South Florida (16.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG)
- F: Daniel Rivera, UAB (11.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 50.0 3P%)
- C: Giovanni Emejuru, East Carolina (12.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.7 BPG)
2025 American Tournament Simulation
First Round – Wednesday, Mar. 11
8. Memphis (13-18, 8-10) vs. 9. Tulane (17-14, 8-10) – 6 p.m. CT on ESPNEWS
Tulane enters the American tournament struggling, having dropped its last four games, including the most recent matchup against Memphis. That game turned into a thriller, with Memphis escaping 96–95 in overtime. Rowan Brumbaugh has been outstanding in this matchup, averaging 29 points in the two meetings with Memphis. Neither team is known for defensive consistency, which is reflected in the 151.5 over/under. Memphis enters as a 3.5-point favorite, but considering how these teams play, that total feels low.
Jason’s pick: 8. Memphis
7. Florida Atlantic (17-14, 9-9) vs. 10. Temple (16-15, 8-10) – 8 p.m. CT on ESPN+
Florida Atlantic has had Temple’s number this season, winning both matchups and claiming Owl supremacy. Defense has been an issue for FAU recently, but the context matters. The Owls have been playing without their top scorer and a top-level defender. The team’s second leading scorer has been struggling with an injury, but has continued to play through it.
Devin Vanterpool has been dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined, while Kanaan Carlyle has been battling a calf injury but has continued to play through it. If Vanterpool returns, FAU should have the advantage. If he remains sidelined, however, Temple could make things interesting.
Jason’s pick: 7. FAU
Second Round – Thursday, Mar. 12
5. Charlotte (15-16, 9-9) vs. 8. Memphis – 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU
These teams met only once during the regular season, and Memphis dominated in a 77-54 blowout. Memphis would likely enter this game with momentum after beating Tulane, while Charlotte is coming off a difficult 83-60 loss at South Florida to close the regular season. The 49ers will have the benefit of rest in the American Tournament, but the question is whether the breaks help them reset or leaves them dwelling on that final tough game.
Jason’s pick: 8. Memphis
6. North Texas (18-13, 9-9) vs. 7. Florida Atlantic – 8 p.m. CT on ESPNU
North Texas used its signature slow tempo to secure a 73-72 win in the lone regular-season meeting. Despite the loss, FAU actually controlled much of the stat sheet. The difference came at the free-throw line and on the glass. FAU sent North Texas to the line 29 times, resulting in 22 points, and the Mean Green collected 13 offensive rebounds. Since that meeting, FAU has improved in both areas. Because of that growth, I’m once again leaning toward the lower seed.
Jason’s pick: 7. FAU
Quarterfinals – Friday, Mar. 13
4. UAB (20-11, 11-7) vs. 8. Memphis – 12 p.m. CT on ESPN2
These teams split the regular-season series, making this another potential coin-flip game. However, this is where Memphis’ run likely ends. Playing their third game in three days, the Tigers could begin to show fatigue. UAB’s fresh legs and preparation time should provide a significant edge in its first American Tournament game. Memphis has struggled with turnovers and foul trouble at times this season. Two areas where UAB thrives. That combination could be the difference maker.
Jason’s pick: 4. UAB
3. Tulsa (25-6, 13-5) vs. 7. FAU – 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2
Tulsa enters the tournament in strong form and will look to extend its winning streak against FAU to six games. The lone meeting between these teams this season was tight, with Tulsa winning 78-76. While the Golden Hurricane had a few mid-season stumbles, including a brief three-game skid, they also showed their potential with a seven-game conference winning streak that pushed them near the top of the standings. Expect another close game, but Tulsa’s consistency should carry them through.
Jason’s pick: 3. Tulsa
Semifinals – Saturday, Mar. 14
1. South Florida (23-8, 15-3) vs. 4. UAB – 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2
South Florida’s extended rest could lead to a slow start, but the Bulls have been remarkably resilient all season. Their only conference losses came in an overtime opener against UAB, an overtime loss at home to Wichita State, and a one-point road loss to Temple. This is a battle-tested team that understands the tournament stakes. USF knows this environment and handled the Blazers the first time and plans to do it again.
Jason’s pick: 1. South Florida
2. Wichita State (21-10, 13-5) vs. 3. Tulsa – 4 p.m. CT on ESPN2
Wichita State brings a veteran roster into the tournament, but the long layoff before this game is a concern. The Shockers have struggled this season when coming off four or more days of rest. Several of their biggest losses: at FAU, at Tulsa, and at home against USF, have had similar situations. Tulsa, meanwhile, will have the advantage of already playing in the tournament environment. That momentum could help the Golden Hurricane start fast and put Wichita State on its heels. Tulsa has a chip on its shoulder with the Shockers having the tie-breaking win over USF that led to its 2-seed.
Jason’s pick: 3. Tulsa
Championship – Sunday, Mar. 15
1. South Florida vs. 3. Tulsa – 2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN
South Florida has controlled this matchup for most of the season. Across the two regular-season meetings, the Bulls trailed Tulsa for only six total minutes. In their most recent matchup in Florida, USF never relinquished the lead for the entire 40 minutes. Given the Bulls’ dominance this season, they appear poised to finish the job.
USF should be able to stampede into the NCAA Tournament not only as regular-season champions, but also as American Tournament champions. Unfortunately for the league, unless USF is upset in the semifinals or final, the American projects as a one-bid conference this year.
Jason’s pick: 1. South Florida
Season Overview
South Florida’s season has been one of the most impressive turnarounds in the conference. After the loss of its head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim in October of 2024, coach Hodgson, has taken over this team and assisted in its turn around that included two first place votes in the preseason.
The Bulls closed the regular season on a nine-game winning streak, securing both the regular-season title and the No. 1 Seed in the tournament. They finished 23-8 overall and 15-3 in conference play. Their first league game was a narrow overtime loss to UAB, followed later by another overtime defeat to Wichita State by a single point. Finally, their only regulation conference loss came against Temple in a chaotic finish that featured a late turnover on an inbounds play.