Get ready for an exciting season in the American Conference, now rebranded and ready to showcase some intense competition! With a fresh start and a new name, the conference is set to deliver an action-packed year, featuring a league-wide turnover that promises an unpredictable race to the top.
The American Conference: A Preview of the Season's Fiercest Battles
Here's a breakdown of the predicted order of finish, with some intriguing teams and storylines to watch out for:
South Florida Bulls: New head coach Brian Hodgson has brought a wave of talented transfers to Tampa. With a surplus of big men, including Izaiyah Nelson and Joseph Pinion, the Bulls boast an impressive interior defense. Power conference transfers Daimion Collins and De'Ante Green add further strength to the middle. The guard positions are also well-covered with Xavier Brown and CJ Brown battling it out for the lead role. Josh Omojafo provides an additional scoring threat, making the Bulls a fast-paced, high-energy team to watch.
Memphis Tigers: Penny Hardaway's team has a new look this year, with zero returners from last season's conference-winning squad. The departure of star guard PJ Haggerty to NC State leaves a void, but the Tigers have brought in Dug McDaniel and Sincere Parker to fill the backcourt. The 7-foot-1 Aaron Bradshaw adds height and defense, but the lack of forwards could be a concern. Can the Tigers adapt and find success with this new lineup?
See Also2023-24 ACC Basketball Preview: Preseason Predictions, Top Players & Teams to WatchNotre Dame vs Butler Basketball Exhibition: Preview, History & Key PlayersKentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope's Defense Transformation - Elite Offense & DefenseNebraska Women's Basketball Adjusts After Alexis Markowski's Exit | 2025-26 Season PreviewTulsa Golden Hurricane: Trust me, this ranking might surprise you, but Eric Konkol's team has an impressive roster with few weaknesses. Terrance Ford Jr., a redshirt junior, leads a talented group of transfers, including Miles Barnstable and Myles Rigsby. The frontcourt is bolstered by Atlantic-10 transfers David Green and Romad Dean, while Doryan Onwuchekwa, fully healthy now, is ready to anchor the paint. Ian Smikle, an All-American Conference Freshman team member, returns to add depth.
Temple Owls: Head coach Adam Fisher has an abundance of backcourt scoring talent to manage. CJ Hines, AJ Smith, Derrian Ford, Jordan Mason, Masiah Gilyard, and Gavin Griffiths all bring their scoring prowess to Philly. In the frontcourt, Ayuba Bryant Jr. and Jamai Felt, a leading blocker last season, provide a defensive edge. Temple's success could hinge on finding the right balance in their lineup.
Wichita State Shockers: Head coach Paul Mills has assembled a new lineup with a strong balance between frontcourt and backcourt. Kenyon Giles leads the backcourt, while 7-foot-2 Will Berg anchors the frontcourt. Karon Boyd, the 2024 SoCon defensive player of the year, adds defensive prowess. The Shockers have depth with Brian Amuneke, Michael Gray Jr., and Dre Kindell in the backcourt, and Jaret Valencia, Dillon Battie, and Emmanuel Okorafor in the frontcourt. Consistency from key players will be crucial for their success.
UAB Blazers: With Yaxel Lendeborg's departure, head coach Andy Kennedy has reloaded with a roster of new faces. The small guard duo of Ahmad Robinson and Jacob Meyer is a highlight, along with Quaran McPherson and Chance Westry. Kennedy has also brought in a host of community college transfers, including KyeRon Lindsay-Martin and Daniel Rivera. The success of this team will depend on how well these transfers gel.
Tulane Green Wave: Rowan Brumbaugh and Asher Woods, key pieces from last season, return to lead the Green Wave. The addition of transfers Scotty Middleton and Curtis Williams Jr. gives them a much-needed frontcourt punch. However, depth could be an issue, with many unproven players joining the team. If some freshmen step up, Tulane could have an exciting season with a star backcourt.
Florida Atlantic Owls: Head coach John Jakus has assembled a diverse roster with P4 transfers, international imports, and freshmen. Kanaan Carlyle, a former Indiana guard, is expected to be the main scoring threat. Devin Williams and Isaiah Elohim, Big Ten transfers, add an air of mystery. The big men Vincent Neugebauer and Xander Pintelon, with no college experience, will also be intriguing to watch.
UTSA Roadrunners: Vasean Allette, a transfer from TCU, could be the team's X-factor. Jamir Simpson and Macaleab Rich join him in the backcourt, providing solid scoring. However, with limited on-court experience, UTSA finds itself towards the bottom of the conference. Their success will rely heavily on the backcourt's scoring ability.
Charlotte 49ers: Significant turnover continues for the 49ers, but they have a promising guard trio in Damoni Harrison, Major Freeman, and Dezayne Mingo. Arden Conyers and Kuluel Mading add depth to the frontcourt. With a lack of depth, the 49ers will need their five key players to gel quickly.
North Texas Mean Green: Deniyal Robinson takes over following Ross Hodge's departure. He brings a group of Cleveland State transfers, with Dylan Arnett and Je'Shawn Stevenson expected to make the most impact. Will McClendon and David Terrell Jr. add scoring, but a lack of depth and star power might hinder their success.
Rice Owls: The return of leading scorer Trae Broadnax is a boost, but the Owls face an uphill battle in a large conference. Guard Dallas Hobbs and Nick Anderson join the backcourt, while Stephen Giwa, a Texas A&M-CC transfer, is expected to hold down the middle. Retaining Broadnax is a positive step, but it might not be enough to make a significant impact.
East Carolina Pirates: With RJ Felton and CJ Walker's departures, the Pirates are in a rebuilding phase. Jordan Riley returns as a scoring threat, and Giovanni Emejuru joins from George Mason. It's likely to be a challenging season for the Pirates, who will need to find their footing quickly.
And there you have it! The American Conference is set for an exciting season, with plenty of new faces, transfers, and storylines to follow. Who will rise to the top? Will the favorites live up to expectations, or will an underdog surprise us all? Make sure to tune in and find out!
