Week 15: AAC Power Rankings

1. Cincinnati – Two more games and two more blowout wins. This time it was UCF and SMU who felt the Bearcats wrath. The Bearcats are nearly impossible to beat when Clark, Washington, and Evans are all clicking. They will get the only two teams who I think can hang with them this week, at Houston on Thursday and then they host Wichita State on Sunday.

2. Houston – The Coogs were able to fend off SMU at home with a big run to end the game and then destroyed Tulane in a payback game. Houston can secure their spot in the field this week with two big wins over Cincinnati and Temple

3. Wichita State – The shockers have started to get their mojo back and they did it with two double digit wins this week. Connor Frankamp also found his shot against UConn and if he is hitting three’s then Wichita will be very competitive again. They host Temple on Thursday and then travel to Cincinnati for the biggest conference game of the year.

4. Temple – They have won 5 in a row and 7 of their last 8 and climbed their way back onto the bubble. Temple beat the two worst teams in the league this week – ECU and USF. This week will be huge as they play at Wichita on Thursday and then host Houston on Sunday.

5. Tulsa – Frank Haith’s club is still quietly having a great year. Tulsa is currently 4th in the AAC and holding onto that final bye in the conference tournament. They grinded out a win over Tulane this week and have won 4 of their last 5 and they can keep it rolling with UConn and USF this week.

6. UCF – They were absolutely crushed by Cincinnati on Tuesday night and had just 2 points with 6 minutes left in the first half, but they bounced back and got a nice road win over a reeling Memphis squad. This team has been consistent on beating the teams they should beat.

7. Memphis – I don’t like having Memphis this high, but nobody else is taking advantage right now. Memphis lost a contested battle to Wichita which is no shame, but then feel at home to UCF. This team is struggling to stop any one on offense and that is mainly due to their inability to rebound.

8. SMU – The injuries have just absolutely killed this team and it’s pretty sad. The Ponies had two chances this week to make a last ditch effort for the tournament and they blew a late lead at Houston and then Cincinnati mopped the floor with them in their own building.

9. UConn – UConn squeaked out with a win against South Florida and then went on the road to Wichita. The Shockers made just about everything in the first half, but a lot of that was due to the Huskies poor defense. Kevin Ollie is going to have a very stressful month as his job security is up in air.

10. Tulane – It was an amazing performance by the Green Wave on Wednesday as they fell short to Tulsa on the road in OT. Tulane was without 2 starters and once a couple guys fouled out Tulane had to finish the game with just 3 scholarship players. Unfortunately, Tulane couldn’t put up the same fight against Houston as it ended in a 33 point loss.

11. East Carolina – ECU had some momentum after beating Memphis, but couldn’t sustain it as they were blown out to Temple this week.

12. South Florida – Again USF is getting closer and I think Brain Gregory has done okay this year considering the circumstances. The Bulls fell 68-65 at UConn, but continued to take steps in the right direction.