AAC Basketball Team Previews: Tulane Green Wave

After being picked to finish last in the AAC Coaches poll the Green Wave do not have very many expectation especially after coming of off a 12-22 year and winning just three games in the conference.  The Lone bright spot for the Green Wave last year was beating Central Florida and then upsetting Memphis to take a trip to the AAC Tournament semifinal.  We will see if first year head coach Mike Dunleavy can fire up this team and scrap together a decent season. 

After firing head coach Ed Conroy at halftime of the Memphis game (a game in which they won.)  The Tulane fan base has been pretty juiced about the new hire in Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy has never had a college job, but was the 1999 NBA Coach of the Year.  The story goes that Dunleavy emailed the Tulane AD that he was interested and the AD thought he was joking, and the rest is history. 

The Green Wave lost senor Louis Dabney, the teams leader in points and assist.  Dabney averaged at least 13 points in his last three seasons at Tulane.  This will hurt considering Tulane struggled too come up with any kind of offense last year.  The Green wave also lost their big center Dylan Osetkowski to the Texas Longhorns as he transferred this off season.  Every one else is returning. 

Tulane will be relying on their veteran players such as Malik Morgan who is probably their best player on the both sides of the floor.  The Wave only have one true big man and that's senior center Ryan Smith. Because of this Tulane will rely on their guards a lot more.  Morgan and Smith are the only two seniors on Tulane this year.  Tulane fans are hopping underclassmen such as Melvin Frazier can have a break out year.  The sophomore guard scored 20 points in their first exhibition season. The Green Wave have a bevy on underclassmen and are certainly headed in the right direction.

Cleary Mike Dunleavy's goal for Tulane is not to make the NCAA Tournament.  This season is to establish some respect and show that they can compete and not be a push over and an easy win in the conference.  Dunleavy seems to be committed for the long run and he will try to bring winning back to Tulane basketball.  Season Prediction:  13-17.