The AAC did not entirely plan out as expected over the regular season. South Florida was a pre season long shot and finished the season two games clear of the field. They were extremely consistent all year and answered all the questions thrown at them. Here is my 2024 AAC Tournament preview, best bets, and picks!
2024 AAC Tournament Preview, Best Bets, and Picks
The two AAC preseason favorites were out of the picture, with a week left in the season. Florida Atlantic did not get away with “playing with their food” all season long. Game after game, they allowed inferior opponents to get big leads on them, which were too hard to overcome so often.
Memphis dealt with so many injuries and were not able to capitalize after the really hot start to the season. Let’s take a deeper look at the conference and see which teams are ready to make a run. Now, let’s get into some picks and best bets!
The Favorite: Florida Atlantic +185
FAU came into this season with very high hopes. Although they entered a new conference this season, they were still expected to win it. They returned everyone from last season’s Final Four team, so this was probably a disappointing season to this point. The Owls still control their own destiny and are the clear favorite to get the job done.
They play a fantastic style of basketball on both ends of the floor and can run with anyone in the country.
I mentioned above how FAU “played with their food” at times during the year. I believe this was more a mental thing than anything.
The Owls knew they were better than all of their conference opponents, but they came out the gates too slow too often. They should realize that there is no more time to mess around and be locked in to reach the finals of this tournament.
Best Bet: SMU +400
The Mustangs really exceeded expectations this season. They got off to a great start but fell off late in the season. Losing four of their final five games moves The Mustangs to the sixth seed in the conference when they were fighting for the top seed just two weeks ago.
I believe they overachieved early on this season, and their true ceiling has shown recently. March is not the time to play your worst basketball of the season, but sadly, that is the case for SMU.
Longshot: Memphis +500
I will continue to believe in Coach Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers. Their talent level is off the chart, but they struggle to put it together as a team from time to time.
When your roster is full of transfers and players who are not comfortable with each other, this is the product. That being said, we know their ceiling is truthfully a top-ten team in the nation.
Volatile basketball is great in tournament settings. If The Tigers can get hot, they can easily win the American Athletic Tournament. They know they may be on the outside looking in on the NCAA Tournament, so playing solid basketball is important. Winning this tournament may be the only route for Memphis, and I believe they have what it takes.
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