The American Athletic Conference (AAC) enters 2026-27 as a competitive mid-major league with a clear favorite. However, there are a few high-upside teams that could challenge the favorite. Teams have enough depth to produce multiple postseason teams. Continuity at the top of the standings contrasts with heavy portal activity across the middle and bottom. Who will win it? Let’s take a look at the American Conference preview and best bets to be the winner at the end of the year.
College Basketball 2026-27: American Conference Preview, Odds, And Best Bets
American Conference Preview
The AAC has 13 teams. In 2025-26, South Florida won the regular-season and conference tournament titles and reached the NCAA Tournament. Wichita State finished in the upper half, advanced to the NIT, and showed nice improvement under Paul Mills. Memphis was the preseason favorite a year ago but finished tied for eighth! Tulsa also reached the NIT championship. In other words, when doing a preview of the American Athletic Conference, it’s important to remember it could be anybody’s game.
The preseason coaches’ poll has Wichita State as the clear favorite, with Memphis coming in second. South Florida is third, followed by Tulsa, Charlotte, UAB, North Texas, Florida Atlantic, Temple, Tulane, East Carolina, Rice, and finally, UTSA. North Texas guard Je’Shawn Stevenson was named the Preseason Player of the Year. Florida Atlantic’s Felipe Quinones earned Preseason Freshman of the Year honors.
This league projects as one of the deeper mid-majors. A strong regular season from the top four or five could end up seeing multiple NCAA bids or at-large consideration.
Biggest Changes And Portal Impacts
We’ll start with Wichita State. They return the most production in the conference and look to be its oldest and most experienced roster. 7-2 center Will Berg anchors the frontcourt. Dillon Battie and transfer point guard Jordan Frison will also play an important role. Kenyon Giles’ eligibility brings more continuity under Paul Mills. The Shockers have the best frontcourt in the conference, in my opinion, and a clear path to the top of the standings.
Memphis underwent major roster turnover under Penny Hardaway. However, they do get back Jayden Reid and Tylik Weeks. The Tigers added a large group of transfers as well. Last year’s disappointment creates both pressure and opportunity. Hardaway’s NIL investment and experience give them a high ceiling if they can get the pieces to mesh.
North Texas brings back the second-most returning production in the conference. Je’Shawn Stevenson leads a group with a strong defensive identity. They are the consensus number 2 team in many independent rankings. South Florida returns pieces from the defending championship team, including Sonny Wilson. They open as a solid top-three contender with continuity from last year’s success.
Odds To Win The American Championship
Wichita State +250
Memphis +450
South Florida +520
Tulsa +580
North Texas +900
Florida Atlantic +1100
Temple +1400
UAB +1500
Charlotte +2200
Tulane +4500
East Carolina +5800
UTSA +50000
Rice +50000
American Conference Best Bets
Favorite: Wichita State to Win The American Regular Season (+250)
The Shockers have the most continuity, the best frontcourt, and coaching momentum after a breakthrough year. They return multiple starters and added some quality pieces. They had less turnover than the rest of the conference. It’s time the Shockers got back to shocking us all. At +250, they are the favorite, but you can still cash nicely due to the plus money.
Longshot: North Texas To Win The American Conference (+900)
For a longshot team to win the American Conference, I’m looking at North Texas. Daniyal Robinson took over a completely rebuilt roster and still went 19-14 last year. They also reached the conference tournament quarterfinals. They now return one of the higher levels of production, including Je’Shawn Stevenson.
Robinson’s defensive-oriented style showed up immediately when he took over and will continue to be solid. They may be ranked seventh in the coaches’ poll, but they have nice value at +900.
