2021–22 American Athletic Conference men's basketball season
Sports season
The 2021–22 American Athletic Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2021, followed by the start of the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season on November 9, 2021. Conference play began December 15, 2021, and concluded with the 2022 American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament , held March 10–13, 2022, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas .
Scheduling returned to the previous format: an 18-game schedule in which every team in The American played eight of its 10 conference opponents twice and the other two opponents once—one at home and one on the road.[ 1]
Previous season
Wichita State won the regular season championship. The 2021 American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament was held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas , which was won by Houston . Houston and Wichita State received bids to the NCAA tournament . Wichita State lost in the First Four to Drake, while Houston advanced to the Final Four before losing to eventual National Champion Baylor. The conference finished 4–2 overall. Memphis and SMU received bids to the 2021 National Invitation Tournament . SMU lost to Boise State in the first round, while Memphis won the NIT defeating Mississippi State in the Championship game. The conference went 4–1 overall in the NIT.
Quentin Grimes from Houston and Tyson Etienne from Wichita State were named the co-AAC Players of the Year . Wichita State's Isaac Brown was named Coach of the Year .[ 2]
Coaches
Coaching changes
Coach
School
Reason
Replacement
John Brannen
Cincinnati
Cincinnati fired Brannen after 2 seasons on April 9, 2021, following an internal review of unspecified allegations related to Brannen and the program. The investigation was triggered after six players entered the NCAA transfer portal within three days of the Bearcats' final game of the season.[ 3]
Wes Miller .[ 4]
Head coaches
Note: Stats are through the beginning of the season. All stats and records are from time at current school only.
Notes:
Overall and AAC records are from time at current school and are through the end of 2020–21 season. NCAA records include time at current school only.
AAC records only, prior conference records not included.
*In current job
Preseason
Recruiting classes
2021 Recruiting classes rankings
Team
ESPN[ 5]
Rivals[ 6]
247 Sports[ 7]
Signees
Cincinnati
-
-
-
-
East Carolina
-
No. 46
No. 107
5
Houston
-
-
No. 44
3
Memphis
-
-
No. 1
6
SMU
-
No. 33
No. 36
4
South Florida
-
No. 55
No. 101
1
Temple
-
No. 46
No. 77
2
Tulane
-
-
-
-
Tulsa
-
No. 32
No. 62
3
UCF
-
No. 26
No. 88
3
Wichita State
-
No. 55
No. 66
3
Preseason watchlists
Below is a table of notable preseason watch lists.
On October 13, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards.[ 17]
Coaches Poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Houston
98 (8)
2
Memphis
92 (3)
3
SMU
77
4
Wichita State
76
5
UCF
66
6
Cincinnati
52
7
Tulsa
43
8
Temple
37
T-9
South Florida
25
T-9
Tulane
25
11
East Carolina
14
Preseason All-AAC
Honor
Recipient
Preseason Player of the Year
Tyson Etienne , Wichita State
Preseason Rookie of the Year
Jalen Duren , Memphis
Preseason All-AAC First Team
Marcus Sasser , Houston
Jalen Duren, Memphis
Landers Nolley II , Memphis
Kendric Davis , SMU*
Tyson Etienne, Wichita State*
Preseason All-AAC Second Team
Brandon Mahan, UCF
Emoni Bates , Memphis
DeAndre Williams , Memphis
Jeremiah Davenport, Cincinnati
Jaylen Forbes, Tulane
*Unanimous selections
Regular season
Conference matrix
This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play, There were 3 games which were postponed that weren't made up, resulting in unbalanced conference schedules[ 18]
Cincinnati
East Carolina
Houston
Memphis
SMU
South Florida
Temple
Tulane
Tulsa
UCF
Wichita State
vs. Cincinnati
—
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–0
1–1
1–0
0–2
vs. East Carolina
2–0
—
1–0
1–1
1–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–0
vs. Houston
0–2
0–1
—
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–1
0–2
0–2
vs. Memphis
0–2
1–1
0–2
—
2–0
0–1
0–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
vs. SMU
1–1
0–1
1–1
0–2
—
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–1
1–0
vs. South Florida
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–0
2–0
—
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–0
vs. Temple
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–0
1–1
1–1
—
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–0
vs. Tulane
0–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
—
0–1
1–1
0–2
vs. Tulsa
1–1
2–0
1–0
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–0
—
1–1
2–0
vs. UCF
0–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
—
1–1
vs. Wichita State
2–0
0–1
2–0
2–0
0–1
0–1
0–0
2–0
0–2
1–1
—
Total
7–11
6–11
15–3
13–5
13–4
3–15
10–7
10–8
4–14
9–9
6–9
Player of the week
Throughout the regular season, the American Athletic Conference named a player and rookie of the week.
Week
Player of the week
Freshman of the week
Ref.
Week 1 – Nov 15
Marcus Sasser , Houston
Emoni Bates , Memphis
[ 19]
Week 2 – Nov 22
Kendric Davis , SMU
Jalen Duren , Memphis
[ 20]
Week 3 – Nov 29
Khalif Battle, Temple
Kenny Pohto, Wichita State
[ 21]
Week 4 – Dec 6
Kendric Davis (2), SMU
Viktor Lakhin, Cincinnati
[ 22]
Week 5 – Dec 13
Vance Jackson, East Carolina
Zhuric Phelps, SMU
[ 23]
Week 6 – Dec 20
Kendric Davis (3), SMU
Jalen Duren (2), Memphis
[ 24]
Week 7 – Dec 27
Zach Hicks, Temple
Kenny Pohto (2), Wichita State
[ 25]
Week 8 – Jan 3
Jalen Cook, Tulane
Josh Minott , Memphis
[ 26]
Week 9 – Jan 10
Josh Carlton , Houston Damian Dunn, Temple
Jahlil White, Temple
[ 27]
Week 10 – Jan 17
Kyler Edwards , Houston
Jahlil White (2), Temple
[ 28]
Week 11 – Jan 24
Kyler Edwards (2), Houston
Darius Johnson, UCF
[ 29]
Week 12 – Jan 31
Marcus Weathers, SMU Jalen Cook (2), Tulane
Josh Minott (2), Memphis
[ 30]
Week 13 – Feb 7
Fabian White Jr. , Houston
Jalen Duren (3), Memphis
[ 31]
Week 14 – Feb 14
Marcus Weathers (2), SMU
Jalen Duren (4), Memphis
[ 32]
Week 15 – Feb 21
Tai Strickland, Temple
Darius Johnson (2), UCF
[ 33]
Week 16 – Feb 28
Fabian White Jr. (2), Houston
Jalen Duren (5), Memphis
[ 34]
Week 17 – Mar 7
Michael Weathers , SMU
Jalen Duren (6), Memphis
[ 35]
All-AAC Awards and teams
Honor
Recipient
Player of the Year
Kendric Davis , SMU
Coach of the Year
Kelvin Sampson , Houston
Freshman of the Year
Jalen Duren , Memphis*
Defensive Player of the Year
Dexter Dennis, Wichita State
Most Improved Player
Kevin Cross, Tulane
Sixth Man of the Year
Ricky Council IV , Wichita State
Sportsmanship Award
Darien Jackson, Tulsa
All-AAC First Team
Josh Carlton , Houston
Fabian White Jr. , Houston
Jalen Duren, Memphis
Kendric Davis, SMU*
Jalen Cook, Tulane
All-AAC Second Team
Tristen Newton , East Carolina
Kyler Edwards , Houston
DeAndre Williams , Memphis
Marcus Weathers, SMU
Damian Dunn, Temple
Jaylen Forbes, Tulane
All-AAC Third Team
Darin Green Jr., UCF
David DeJulius , Cincinnati
Jamal Shead , Houston
Kevin Cross, Tulane
Tyson Etienne , Wichita State
All-Freshman Team
Darius Johnson, UCF
Jalen Duren, Memphis*
Josh Minott , Memphis
Zach Hicks, Temple
Jahlil White, Temple
*Unanimous selections
Source:[ 36]
Postseason
American Athletic Conference tournament
* – Denotes overtime period
First round Thursday, March 10
Quarterfinals Friday, March 11
Semifinals Saturday, March 12
Championship Sunday, March 13
1
#18 Houston
69
8
Cincinnati
74
8
Cincinnati
56
9
East Carolina
63
1
#18 Houston
86
5
Tulane
66
4
Temple
60
5
Tulane
69
1
#18 Houston
71
3
Memphis
53
2
SMU
83
7
Wichita State
67
10
Tulsa
58
10
Tulsa
73
2
SMU
63
3
Memphis
70
3
Memphis
85
6
UCF
60
6
UCF
69
11
South Florida
58
NCAA tournament
Two teams from the conference were selected to participate:
Seed
Region
School
First Four
First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Championship
5
South
Houston
N/A
defeated (12) UAB , 82–68
defeated (4) Illinois , 68–53
defeated (1) Arizona , 72–60
eliminated by (2) Villanova , 44–50
–
–
9
West
Memphis
N/A
defeated (8) Boise State , 64–53
eliminated by (1) Gonzaga , 78–82
–
–
–
–
W–L (%):
0–0 (–)
2–0 (1.000)
1–1 (.500)
1–0 (1.000)
0–1 (.000)
0–0 (–)
0–0 (–) Total: 4–2 (.667)
National Invitation tournament
One team from the conference was selected to participate:
Seed
Bracket
School
First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals
1
SMU
SMU
defeated Nicholls , 68–58
eliminated by (4) Washington State , 63–75
W–L (%):
1–0 (1.000)
0–1 (.000)
0–0 (–)
0–0 (–)
0–0 (–) Total: 1–1 (.500)
NBA draft
The following list includes all AAC players who were drafted in the 2022 NBA draft .
References
^ "The American Announces 2021-22 Men's Basketball Conference Schedule" . theAmerican.org . American Athletic Conference. September 30, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors" . theamerican.org . March 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022 .
^ Howe, Matt (April 9, 2021). "Cincinnati fires head basketball coach John Brannen" . 247sports.com . Retrieved April 9, 2021 .
^ Borzello, Jeff (April 14, 2021). "Cincinnati Bearcats hire Wes Miller as new men's basketball head coach" . ESPN.com . Retrieved April 15, 2021 .
^ "2021 men's college basketball recruiting class rankings: Michigan, Memphis finish 1-2" . ESPN.com . October 6, 2021.
^ "2021 Team Rankings" . rivals.com .
^ "2021 Recruit Rankings" . 247Sports .
^ "John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy's Announces 2021-22 Men's Preseason Top 50 Watch List" . woodenaward.com . November 9, 2021.
^ "John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy's Announces Midseason Top 25 Watch List" . woodenaward.com . January 5, 2022.
^ "2022 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's Watch List" . naismithtrophy.com . Atlanta Tip Off Club.
^ "2022 Cousy Award Preseason Watch List" . hoophallawards.com .
^ "2022 West Award Preseason Watch List" . hoophallawards.com .
^ "2022 Erving Award Preseason Watch List" . hoophallawards.com .
^ "2022 Malone Award Preseason Watch List" . hoophallawards.com .
^ "Preseason Watch List Announced for NABC Division I Player of the Year" . nabc.com . National Association of Basketball Coaches. November 4, 2021.
^ "2022 Abdul-Jabbar Award Preseason Watch List" . hoophallawards.com .
^ "Houston Selected as 2021-22 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite" . theAmerican.org . Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ "2021-22 MBB Rescheduling Information" . theamerican.org . American Athletic Conference.
^ "Houston's Sasser, Memphis' Bates Earn First Weekly Awards of Season" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Davis, Memphis' Duren Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Temple's Battle, Wichita State's Pohto Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Davis, Cincinnati's Lakhin Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "East Carolina's Jackson, SMU's Phelps Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Davis, Memphis' Duren Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Temple's Hicks, Wichita State's Pohto Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Tulane's Cook, Memphis' Minott Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Houston's Carlton, Temple's Dunn and White Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Houston's Edwards, Temple's White Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 17, 2022 .
^ "Houston's Edwards, UCF's Johnson Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 24, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Weathers, Tulane's Cook and Memphis' Minott Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved January 31, 2022 .
^ "Houston's White, Memphis' Duren Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved February 7, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Weathers, Memphis' Duren Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved February 14, 2022 .
^ "Temple's Strickland, UCF's Johnson Earn Men's Basketball Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved February 21, 2022 .
^ "Houston's White, Memphis' Duren Earn Weekly Honors" . theamerican.org . Retrieved February 28, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Weathers, Memphis Duren Earn Weekly Awards" . theamerican.org . Retrieved March 7, 2022 .
^ "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors" . theamerican.org . American Athletic Conference. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022 .
Teams Championships & awards Seasons