The AAC was one of the most exciting conferences in college basketball during the 2015-16 season, and it all comes down to Thursday when the AAC tournament finally begins. With no team in the American considered a “lock” for the 2016 NCAA tournament, winning tournament games will be absolutely necessary for teams to make it to the Big Dance.
Here are five bold predictions for the 2016 American Athletic Conference tournament.
5. Bottom Four Seeds Don’t Make It To Saturday
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsThe American Athletic Conference is one of the best all-around talented leagues in the country, but there is a huge gap between the top half teams and the bottom half teams. No matter what happens on Thursday, seeds No. 10 through No. 7 will lose their next game on Friday.
4. Cincinnati Ends Connecticut’s NCAA Tournament Hopes
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
One of the more disappointing teams in the country, the Connecticut Huskies are still clinging to the edge of the NCAA tournament bubble. Unfortunately, their bubble will burst as the Bearcats will defeat the Huskies in their opening game.
3. Top Two Seeds Do Not Make The Final
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsThe No. 2 seeded Houston Cougars and No. 1 seeded Temple Owls have been fantastic this season, but they will both get beat on Saturday in the semi-finals.
2. Cincinnati Defeats Memphis In Championship Game
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsThe Memphis Tigers boast tremendous talent, while Cincinnati boasts one of the most consistent teams in the country, statistically. These two teams will outperform their No. 6 and No. 4 seeds respectively and sneak into the final. The Bearcats will end up victorious.
1. Houston, Cincinnati, Temple Go To 2016 NCAA Tournament
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsOf these three teams, Cincinnati was the only one pegged to go to the Big Dance entering 2015-16. Houston and Temple have had great seasons and will not be left out of the tournament, despite floundering in the AAC semi-finals.
