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Top 5 AAC Title Contenders Entering Conference Play

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By @BZarp

Top 5 AAC Title Contenders Entering Conference Play

Temple UConn
David Butler II - USATODAY Sports

The American Athletic Conference is a far cry from the old Big East from which the new league originated. But the AAC is still one of the better mid-major basketball conferences in the country and is the home of the defending national champions. There’s no standout team or clear favorite in the AAC at this point in the season, which should make for a competitive conference season. Here are the top five title contenders in the AAC.

5. Memphis Tigers

memphis NCAA Tournament
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5. Memphis Tigers

memphis NCAA Tournament
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The Tigers haven't been overly impressive this season, but most of their losses have come against quality teams. They have also started to blow out weaker teams late in the non-conference season. This isn't one of Josh Pastner's better teams, as there isn't a ton of star power. But Memphis is a fairly deep and balanced team, and they should play well enough during the conference season to be a factor in the AAC race.

4. Cincinnati Bearcats

NCAA Basketball: Cincinnati at Connecticut
David Butler II - USATODAY Sports

4. Cincinnati Bearcats

NCAA Basketball: Cincinnati at Connecticut
David Butler II - USATODAY Sports

Mick Cronin's health issues have cast some uncertainty on Cincinnati's season, but with or without Cronin, the Bearcats have a chance to compete in the AAC this year. There have been ups and downs thus far, but Cincy has a win over San Diego State and a convincing win over N.C. State to close out the non-conference season. Offensively, there's much to be desired, but the Bearcats' defense is good enough to play with anyone in the AAC.

3. Connecticut Huskies

amida brimah uconn
Nelson Chenault - USATODAY Sports

3. Connecticut Huskies

amida brimah uconn
Nelson Chenault - USATODAY Sports

The defending champs don't look like title contenders on the national stage, but they'll certainly be competitive within their own conference. The Huskies are a little too reliant on Ryan Boatright, who needs more help around him. But they've gone head-to-head with Texas and Duke and been competitive even in defeat, so they should be fine in the AAC -- especially with Boatright leading the way.

2. SMU Mustangs

AAC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinal Round - Houston v SMU
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2. SMU Mustangs

AAC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinal Round - Houston v SMU
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With Larry Brown running the show, SMU is a legitimate contender to win the AAC this year. The Mustangs have missed a few opportunities to get a marquee win outside the conference, but they did beat Michigan in late December. They also have an experienced inside-outside duo leading the way in Nic Moore and Yanick Moreira, which should put SMU in the thick of the AAC title race.

1. Temple Owls

Temple
Howard Smith - USATODAY Sports

1. Temple Owls

Temple
Howard Smith - USATODAY Sports

Temple looked good early in the season, but they've taken things to another level with the mid-season addition of Clemson transfer Devin Coleman and UMass transfer Jesse Morgan. The Owls are 4-0 since those two became eligible, including a thrashing of Kansas. Morgan has become the team's leading scorer, averaging 16 points per game. Temple is now 10-deep with good talent and versatility, and they look like the team to beat in the AAC.

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