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Top 10 Players In AAC Entering 2014-15 College Basketball Season

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Top 10 Players In AAC Entering 2014-15 College Basketball Season

American Athletic Conference
Thomas Campbell -- USA TODAY Sports

In its second year of existence, the American Athletic Conference has proven to be front and center when it comes to quality men's basketball teams and players. Here is a look at 10 of the top players to watch on this year's AAC rosters.

10. Ryan Boatright

Ryan Boatright Connecticut
Matthew Emmons -- USA TODAY Sports

10. Ryan Boatright

Ryan Boatright Connecticut
Matthew Emmons -- USA TODAY Sports

Boatright has big shoes to fill as the preseason AAC Player of the Year. Boatright showed a glimpse of what he could be this year when he averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in the two Final Four games, plus he was one of four double-digit scorers in the AAC tournament. He was part of last year's NCAA champions and will be watched nationwide.

9. Jherrod Stiggers

Jherrod Stiggers Houston
Troy Taormina -- USA TODAY Sports

9. Jherrod Stiggers

Jherrod Stiggers Houston
Troy Taormina -- USA TODAY Sports

The junior guard was third on his team in scoring last year with 11.2 points per game, but his perimeter offense was also on display with an average of 2.4 successful three-pointers per contest. His presence should drive the Cougars' offense this season.

8. Shaq Goodwin

Shaq Goodwin Memphis
Rob Kinnan -- USA TODAY Sports

8. Shaq Goodwin

Shaq Goodwin Memphis
Rob Kinnan -- USA TODAY Sports

A preseason all-AAC first-team selection, this junior forward from Atlanta will be one of Memphis' go-to players this season. Memphis was only a few games off the pace in the AAC title picture a year ago, and Goodwin and fellow preseason honoree Austin Nichols will be counted on heavily.

7. Corey Allen

Corey Allen South Florida
David Manning -- USA TODAY Sports

7. Corey Allen

Corey Allen South Florida
David Manning -- USA TODAY Sports

Last season Allen was a junior college transfer from the St. Louis area who struggled to keep South Florida relevant in the AAC. His presence should stabilize a USF team constantly in flux with roster turnover, even if the team doesn't do well once again.

6. Nic Moore

Nic Moore Southern Methodist
Adam Hunger -- USA TODAY Sports

6. Nic Moore

Nic Moore Southern Methodist
Adam Hunger -- USA TODAY Sports

Moore was one of the main reasons why SMU became relevant on the college basketball landscape once again last season. The junior shot 72 three-pointers and finished tied for 14th in scoring in the AAC last year at 13.6 points per game.

5. Will Cummings

Will Cummings Temple
Howard Smith -- USA TODAY Sports

5. Will Cummings

Will Cummings Temple
Howard Smith -- USA TODAY Sports

This standout senior was sixth in the conference in scoring at 16.8 points per game and should be a primary factor in the Owls' 2014-15 success. He is especially adept at taking care of the basketball with a solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.

4. Quenton DeCosey

Quenton DeCosey Temple
Justin Ford -- USA TODAY Sports

4. Quenton DeCosey

Quenton DeCosey Temple
Justin Ford -- USA TODAY Sports

With 58 threes shot last year and a 15.4 scoring average, this junior squarely landed in the top 10 in terms of AAC scorers. DeCosey will combine with Cummings to give Temple a strong presence in this conference once again.

3. Louis Dabney

Louis Dabney Tulane
Chuck Cook -- USA TODAY Sports

3. Louis Dabney

Louis Dabney Tulane
Chuck Cook -- USA TODAY Sports

The junior guard and New Orleans native electrified Conference USA last year with his presence, not to mention his solid free-throw shooting (151 last season). Dabney had seven games last season where he scored over 20 points, and that high-potency offense should translate well to the AAC.

2. Jonathan Stark

Jonathan Stark Tulane
Anthony Grupposo -- USA TODAY Sports

2. Jonathan Stark

Jonathan Stark Tulane
Anthony Grupposo -- USA TODAY Sports

Stark scored 20 points or more in 12 games as a freshman with the Green Wave. The defenses may be a little stronger in the AAC, but Stark will be up to the challenge. He was one of the league's top first-year players in Conference USA.

1. James Woodard

James Woodard Tulsa
Ivan Pierre Aguirre -- USA TODAY Sports

1. James Woodard

James Woodard Tulsa
Ivan Pierre Aguirre -- USA TODAY Sports

The junior guard was the most valuable player at the Conference USA tournament, and like the Tulane duo, Woodard will take his talents to a brand new conference. Woodard has averaged 13.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game over the course of his career.

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