Men’s College Basketball 2021-2022 Season Preview: American Athletic Conference

The American doesn’t get much respect despite being one of the more competitive basketball conferences in the country year after year. With teams like Houston and Memphis expected to make tournament runs, it’s time to recognize the AAC for what it is, an elite group of teams. Even the secondary teams like Wichita State and SMU have major appeal from top to bottom with key pieces throughout the roster. The AAC is one of those conferences that is above the mid major level but still gets overlooked by casual DFS players that focus primarily on the power 6. AAC slates come with a lot of edge similar to the way MWC does. Let’s finish up our preseason conference previews with the AAC.

(Check out our full college basketball season preview!)

Houston Cougars

2020-2021 record: 28-4 (14-3 AAC), second in AAC
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament Final Four

Key Departures | Houston Cougars

• Quentin Grimes (NBA)
• DeJon Jarreau (playing professionally)
• Justin Gorham (playing professionally)
• Brison Gresham (transferred to Texas Southern)
• Cameron Tyson (transferred to Seattle U)

Key Additions | Houston Cougars

• Kyler Edwards (transferred from Texas Tech)
• Taze Moore (transferred from Bakersfield)
• Josh Carlton (transferred from UConn)
• Ramon Walker (3 star recruit)

Returners | Houston Cougars

• Marcus Sasser (13.5 PPG/2.6 RPG/1.4 SPG)
• Fabian White (6.3 PPG/4 RPG)
• Tramon Mark (8 PPG/3 RPG)
• Reggie Chaney (4.6 PPG/2.8 RPG)
• J’Wan Roberts (2 PPG/4 RPG)
• Jamal Shead (3.3 PPG)
• Kiyron Powell (2.5 PPG/2.2 RPG)

Impact Players | Houston Cougars

• Marcus Sasser
• Kyler Edwards
• Fabian White

The Sneaks | Houston Cougars

• Taze Moore

Breakout Candidate | Houston Cougars

• Tramon Mark

Memphis Tigers

2020-2021 record: 20-8 (11-4 AAC), third in AAC
Postseason: Won NIT Tournament

Key Departures | Memphis Tigers

• Moussa Cisse (transferred to Oklahoma State)
• DJ Jeffries (transferred to Miss State)
• Boogie Ellis (transferred to USC)
• Damion Baugh (transferred to TCU)

Key Additions | Memphis Tigers

• Earl Timberlake (transferred from Miami)
• Chandler Lawson (transferred from Oregon)
• Tyler Harris (transferred back from Iowa State)
• Emoni Bates (top 5 recruit)
• Jalen Duren (top 5 recruit)
• Josh Minott (top 45 recruit)
• Johnathan Lawson (top 100 recruit)

Returners | Memphis Tigers

• Landers Nolley (13.1 PPG/4.1 RPG/1.1 SPG)
• DeAndre Williams (11.7 PPG/5.8 RPG/3.4 APG/2.2 SPG)
• Alex Lomax (6 PPG/2.9 RPG/4.2 APG/1.8 SPG)
• Lester Quinones (9.5 PPG/5.8 RPG/1.9 APG)
• Malcolm Dandridge (3.8 PPG/2.9 RPG)

Impact Players | Memphis Tigers

• Emoni Bates
• Jalen Duren
• Lester Quinones

The Sneaks | Memphis Tigers

• DeAndre Williams
• Earl Timberlake

Breakout Candidates | Memphis Tigers

• Lawson Brothers

Wichita State Shockers

2020-2021 record: 16-6 (11-2 AAC), first in AAC
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament First Four

Key Departures | Wichita State Shockers

• Trey Wade (transferred to Arkansas)
• Al Gilbert (graduated)

Key Additions | Wichita State Shockers

• Qua Grant (D2 transfer)
• Joe Pleasant (transferred from ACU)

Returners | Wichita State Shockers

• Tyson Etienne (16.3 PPG/3.4 RPG/2.5 APG/1 SPG)
• Dexter Dennis (9.6 PPG/4.4 RPG)
• Morris Udeze (10.3 PPG/4.7 RPG)
• Ricky Council (7.1 PPG/3.4 RPG)
• Craig Porter (2.1 PPG/2.1 RPG)
• Clarence Jackson (5 PPG/4.4 RPG)

Impact Players | Wichita State Shockers

• Tyson Etienne
• Morris Udeze

The Sneaks | Wichita State Shockers

• Dexter Dennis
• Qua Grant

Breakout Candidate | Wichita State Shockers

• Ricky Council

Cincinnati Bearcats

2020-2021 record: 12-11 (8-6 AAC), fifth in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Cincinnati Bearcats

• Tari Eason (transferred to LSU)
• Keith Williams (transferred to WKU)
• Zach Harvey (transferred to UCSB)
• Chris Vogt (transferred to Wisconsin)

Key Additions | Cincinnati Bearcats

• Abdul Ado (transferred from Miss State)
• John Newman (transferred from Clemson)
• Hayden Koval (transferred from UNCG)
• Jarret Hensley (transferred from UNCG)
• Ody Oguama (transferred from Wake Forest)
• AJ McGinnis (transferred from UNCG)

Returners | Cincinnati Bearcats

• David DeJulius (9.1 PPG/4.5 RPG/4.2 APG)
• Jeremiah Davenport (11.7 PPG/5 RPG/1.7 APG)
• Mika Adams-Woods (8.6 PPG/2.5 RPG/2 APG/1 SPG)
• Mike Saunders (3.5 PPG)
• Mason Madsen (6.5 PPG/3 RPG)

Impact Players | Cincinnati Bearcats

• David DeJulius
• Mike Adams-Woods
• Mason Madsen

The Sneaks | Cincinnati Bearcats

• Mike Saunders
• John Newman

Breakout Candidate | Cincinnati Bearcats

• Jeremiah Davenport

(Check out our rankings of the top 100 teams and top 100 players for men’s college basketball in 2021-2022.)

SMU Mustangs

2020-2021 record: 11-6 (7-4 AAC), fourth in AAC
Postseason: Lost in NIT Tournament first round

Key Departures | SMU Mustangs

• Feron Hunt (NBA)
• Tyson Jolly (transferred to Iona)
• Ethan Chargois (transferred to Oklahoma)
• Darius McNeil (transferred to UTSA)
• Yor Anei (transferred to DePaul)

Key Additions | SMU Mustangs

• Michael Weathers (transferred from Texas Southern)
• Marcus Weathers (transferred from Duquesne)
• Zach Nutall (transferred from Sam Houston State)
• Tristan Clark (transferred from Baylor)
• Stefan Todorovic (4 star recruit)

Returners | SMU Mustangs

• Kendric Davis (19 PPG/4.2 RPG/7.6 APG/1.6 APG)
• Isiah Jasey (3.6 PPG/3.8 RPG)
• Emmanuel Bandoumel (10.2 PPG/2.9 RPG)

Impact Players | SMU Mustangs

• Kendric Davis
• Marcus Weathers

The Sneaks | SMU Mustangs

• Zach Nutall
• Michael Weathers

Breakout Candidate | SMU Mustangs

• Stefan Todorovic

UCF Knights

2020-2021 record: 11-12 (8-10 AAC), sixth in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | UCF Knights

• Collin Smith (transferred to NC A&T)

Key Additions | UCF Knights

• Cheick Mbacke Diong (transferred from UNLV)
• Tyem Freeman (JUCO transfer)
• Darius Johnson (3 star recruit)

Returners | UCF Knights

• Darius Perry (14.7 PPG/3.6 RPG/3.4 APG/1.3 SPG)
• Brandon Mahan (12.3 PPG/5 RPG/1.1 SPG)
• Isaiah Adams (9.9 PPG/3.9 RPG/1.3 SPG)
• Darin Green (11.3 PPG/2.9 RPG)
• Dre Fuller (7 PPG/4.7 RPG/2.5 APG)
• CJ Walker (7 PPG/5 RPG)
• Jamille Reynolds (5 PPG/2.9 RPG)
• Sean Mobley (3 PPG/2.1 RPG)
• Tony Johnson (8 PPG)

Impact Players | UCF Knights

• CJ Walker
• Brandon Mahan
• Darius Perry

The Sneaks | UCF Knights

• Darin Green
• Jamille Reynolds

Breakout Candidate | UCF Knights

• Isaiah Adams

Temple Owls

2020-2021 record: 5-11 (4-10 AAC), ninth in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Temple Owls

• JP Moorman (transferred to UC Riverside)
• De’Vondre Perry (transferred to Albany)
• Brendan Barry (transferred back to Dartmouth)

Key Additions | Temple Owls

• Sage Tolbert (transferred from SEMO)
• Emmanuel Okpomo (transferred from Wake Forest)
• Hysier Miller (3 star recruit)

Returners | Temple Owls

• Damian Dunn (13.5 PPG/4.2 RPG/2.2 APG)
• Jake Forrester (9.3 PPG/6.4 RPG)
• Khalif Battle (15 PPG/6.4 RPG/2.4 APG)
• Jeremiah Williams (9.3 PPG/3.6 RPG/4.1 APG/1.2 SPG)
• Nick Jourdain (2.6 PPG)
• Jahlil White (redshirt)

Impact Players | Temple Owls

• Damian Dunn
• Khalif Battle

The Sneak | Temple Owls

• Jahlil White

Breakout Candidate | Temple Owls

• Jeremiah Williams

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

2020-2021 record: 11-12 (7-9 AAC), seventh in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

• Brandon Rachal (playing professionally)
• Elijah Joiner (transferred to Iona)
• Austin Richie (transferred to Florida Gulf Coast)

Key Additions | Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

• Sam Griffin (transferred from UT Arlington)
• Jeriah Horne (transferred back from Colorado)
• LaDavius Draine (transferred from Southern Miss)
• Tim Dalger (JUCO transfer)

Returners | Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

• Darien Jackson (7.6 PPG/4/ RPG/1.3 SPG)
• Curtis Haywood (5.3 PPG/3.6 RPG)
• Keyshawn Embery-Simpson (7.3 PPG/2.2 RPG)
• Rey Idowu (7.9 PPG/3.8 RPG)

Impact Players | Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

• Jeriah Horne
• Darien Jackson
• The Sneaks
• Rey Idowu
• Keyshawn Embery-Simpson

Breakout Candidate | Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

• Sam Griffin

Tulane Green Wave

2020-2021 record: 10-13 (4-12 AAC), 10th in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Tulane Green Wave

• Jordan Walker (transferred to UAB)
• Gabe Watson (transferred to Jackson State)

Key Additions | Tulane Green Wave

• Jalen Cook (transferred from LSU)
• DeVon Baker (transferred from UNC Asheville)
• Scott Spencer (transferred from La Salle)
• Quentin Scott (transferred from Texas State)
• Braelee Albert (transferred from Vanderbilt)

Returners | Tulane Green Wave

• Jaylen Forbes (16.4 PPG/5.3 RPG/1.4 SPG)
• Kevin Cross (6.9 PPG/4.7 RPG)
• Sion James (5.8 PPG/3.5 RPG/1.2 SPG)
• Tylan Pope (5.7 PPG/4.1 RPG)
• Nobal Days (1.8 PPG/3 RPG)
• RJ McGee (4 PPG/3.6 RPG)

Impact Players | Tulane Green Wave

• Jaylen Forbes
• DeVon Baker
• Kevin Cross

The Sneaks | Tulane Green Wave

• Tylan Pope
• Sion James

Breakout Candidate | Tulane Green Wave

• Jalen Cook

South Florida Bulls

2020-2021 record: 9-13 (4-10 AAC), eighth in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | South Florida Bulls

• David Collins (transferred to Clemson)
• Alexis Yetna (transferred to Seton Hall)
• Michael Durr (transferred to Indiana)
• Justin Brown (transferred to UAB)
• Xavier Castaneda (transferred to Akron)
• Rashun Williams (transferred to Radford)

Key Additions | South Florida Bulls

• Serrell Smith (transferred from ETSU)
• Javon Greene (transferred from George Mason)
• Jalyn McCreary (transferred from South Carolina)
• Corey Walker (transferred from Tennessee)
• Sam Hines (transferred from Denver)
• Jake Boggs (transferred from UNCW)
• Bayron Matos (transferred from New Mexico)
• Trey Moss (3 star recruit)

Returners | South Florida Bulls

• Caleb Murphy (8.3 PPG/2.3 RPG/2.9 APG)
• Russell Tchewa (3.3 PPG/2.4 RPG)
• Jamir Chaplin (5.3 PPG/3 RPG)

Impact Players | South Florida Bulls

• Javone Greene
• Jalyn McCreary

The Sneaks | South Florida Bulls

• Corey Walker
• Trey Moss

Breakout Candidate | South Florida Bulls

• Caleb Murphy

ECU Pirates

2020-2021 record: 8-11 (2-10 AAC), 11th/last in AAC
Postseason: None

Key Departures | ECU Pirates

• Jayden Gardner (transferred to Virginia)
• Bitumba Baruti (transferred to FAU)
• Tyrie Jackson (left program)

Key Additions | ECU Pirates

• Wynston Tabbs (transferred from BC)
• Vance Jackson (transferred from Arkansas)
• Alanzo Frink (transferred from South Carolina)
• Alexis Reyes (3 star recruit)

Returners | ECU Pirates

• Brandon Suggs (9.6 PPG/4.3 RPG/1 SPG)
• JJ Miles (9.8 PPG/2.9 RPG)
• Tremont Robinson-White (8.1 PPG/3.8 APG/1.1 SPG)
• Tristen Newton (8.7 PPG/4.3 RPG/4.2 APG/1.2 SPG)
• Ludgy Debaut (3.2 PPG/3.1 RPG)

Impact Players | ECU Pirates

• Wynston Tabbs
• Vance Jackson

The Sneaks | ECU Pirates

• Tremont Robinson-White
• Brandon Suggs

Breakout Candidate | ECU Pirates

• Tristen Newton