Much to my surprise, the first college basketball magazine is on the newstands - Athlon. The first thing that is obvious in reading it is that the AAC has been spiked by the addtion of Wichita St. For instance, the Big 12 has two teams in their top 20, Kansas (#3) and West Virginia (#!0). But the AAC also has 2 in WSU (#9) and Cincy (#15).
The NCAA brackets are projected and both schools are predicted to go to the Sweet 16. Also UCF is in the field as a "First Four" team. So three AAC schools in a preseason magazine is a nice prediction. But again, I think the addition of the Shockers has improved the perception of the league.
More Later.
Lindy's is out now and did the AAC get the love!? Both Wichita St (#3) and Cincy (#8) are in the top 10. Actually WSU is rated above Kansas (#5) - Wow!. There is a womens section and UCONN is back at #1. 3 AAC teams are predicted to be in the dance - WSU, Cincy and SMU.
If this publication is anywhere close to accurate, WSU may be the highest rated team to play in the Don - ever.
BTW I got my MBB payment statement in the mail. Don't be left behind!
So the AAC predictions for the first two magazines are as follows:
Athlon -
1. WSU
2. Cincy
3. UCF
4. SMU
5. Temple
6. UCONN
7. Tulsa
8. Houston
9. ECU
10. USF
11. Tulane
12. Memphis
Lindy's -
1. WSU
2. Cincy
3. SMU
4. UCF
5. UCONN
6. Temple
7. Houston
8. Tulsa
9. Tulane
10. ECU
11. Memphis
12. USF
Looking at those two prediction models, it looks like UCF and SMU are fighting it out for 3rd and 4th, Temple and UCONN fighting for 5th and 6th and Houston and TU for 7th and 8th.
More Later.
BTW Lindy's picked the Final Four to be:
Arizona
Duke
Michigan St
Wichita St
Cincy and WSU made the Elite 8 and the National Champion was Michigan St.
Athlons NC was Arizona.
Street and Smiths is on the newstands and again good news for the AAC with WSU in the top 10 at #7 and Cincy at #14. Landry Shamet of the Shockers also a 3rd team All American at guard as well as Tacko Fall in the top "Rim Protectors" at Center.
Here are the S@S AAC predictions:
1. WSU
2. Cincinnati
3. UCF
4. UCONN
5. SMU
6. Temple
7. Tulsa
8. Houston
9. Memphis
10.ECU
11.Tulane
12.USF
Its kinda nice being able to fill in a full complement of teams now.
TU again is a middle of the pack team and again we are situated next to Houston.