• Economy
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Editor’s Pick
Market Gains Updates
Sports

NCAA hopes for field at American Athletic tournament rest on beating Memphis

by March 13, 2025
by March 13, 2025

The American Athletic Conference tournament begins on Wednesday with a clear favorite in Memphis, which is locked into the NCAA men’s tournament regardless of what happens this week but could rise to a No. 7 or even a No. 6 seed with three more league wins.

The Tigers could be challenged by North Texas or Alabama-Birmingham — uh, maybe. Memphis went 7-0 against every fellow AAC team to finish with a winning record in league play, showing the gap separating the class of the conference from the other top contenders.

Making a third tournament appearance in a row under coach Penny Hardaway shows the Tigers’ evolution into a more consistent national player. And wins in non-conference play against Missouri, Connecticut, Michigan State, Clemson and Mississippi shows that Memphis won’t be an easy out come March Madness.

American Athletic tournament schedule, bracket, scores

Wednesday, March 12

First round

Charlotte 64, Rice 61

Second round

Thursday, March 13

South Florida vs Wichita State, 12:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic vs. Charlotte, 2:30 p.m.

Tulsa vs Temple, 7 p.m.

Texas-San Antonio vs East Carolina, 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, March 14

Memphis vs. South Florida-Wichita State winner, 1 p.m.

Tulane vs. Florida Atlantic-Charlotte winner, 3:30 p.m.

North Texas vs. Tulsa-Temple winner, 7 p.m.

Alabama-Birmingham vs. Texas-San Antonio-East Carolina winner, 9:30 p.m.  Semifinals

Sunday, March 15

Memphis-South Florida-Wichita State winner vs. Tulane-Florida Atlantic-Charlotte winner, 3 p.m.

North Texas-Tulsa-Temple winner vs. Alabama-Birmingham-Texas-San Antonio-East Carolina winner, 5:30 p.m. Championship

Sunday, March 16

Semifinal winners, 3:15 p.m.

American Athletic tournament favorite

It’s Memphis, then a large gap, and then everyone else. Maybe Alabama-Birmingham can sneak up and top the Tigers after losing twice during the regular season. North Texas stubbornly hung around in a 68-64 loss at Memphis in early January, playing the Tigers to a draw before being undone by a weak shooting performance from deep. Based on how things unfolded to this point, it would be a surprise to see anyone other than Memphis celebrating on Sunday afternoon.

American Athletic tournament top players

➤ PJ Haggerty, G, Memphis – The league’s top scorer (21.2 points per game) has been on a roll since a sloppy performance in an overtime loss to Wichita State on Feb 16, scoring at least 20 points in four of five games and making 34 of his 40 free-throw attempts.

➤ Yaxel Lendenborg, F, Alabama-Birmingham – The box score-stuffing senior is averaging 17.1 points, an AAC-best 10.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He could carry the Blazers into contention for the tournament title.

➤ Quincy Ballard, C, Wichita State – Ballard showed his potential impact in last month’s upset of Memphis, scoring 19 points, pulling down seven rebounds and making four blocks while hitting five of his six attempts from the line.

➤ Atin Wright, G, North Texas – The league’s top shooter from deep (41.7%), Wright could get a hot hand and drive UNT past Memphis. He dropped 42 points on 12 of 17 shooting in last week’s 75-64 win against Charlotte.

➤ Rowan Brumbaugh, G, Tulane – Brumbaugh (15.5 points per game) has scored in double figures in every game since Nov. 19 and closed the regular season with a double-double (11 points, 11 assists) in an 85-68 win against Alabama-Birmingham.

NCAA tournament bubble storylines for the American Athletic tournament

The only team even sniffing the bubble is North Texas, which is 60th in the NET rankings with zero Quad 1 wins heading into Friday’s quarterfinals. In other words, the only way for a team other than Memphis to reach the 68-team field is by winning the AAC tournament. That leaves the conference in the potential role of tournament spoiler should UNT, Alabama-Birmingham or another underdog upset the Tigers at some point this weekend. (Don’t bet on it.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Senate Republicans coin ‘Schumer shutdown’ ahead of critical vote on Trump spending bill
next post
Watch: NBA big men ejected after fight in game

You may also like

3 things you missed in ‘On Her Game’...

July 9, 2025

Raleigh breaks Griffey’s Mariners mark for most HRs...

July 9, 2025

Congress honors the greatest US athlete you’ve never...

July 9, 2025

Kirk Cousins laments being ‘misled’ by Falcons’ Michael...

July 9, 2025

Joe Theismann says Commanders need to pay Terry...

July 9, 2025

Americans reach Wimbledon men’s and women’s semifinals with...

July 9, 2025

Projected 2026 No. 1 NHL draft pick announces...

July 9, 2025

Scott Frost says he ‘didn’t really want’ to...

July 9, 2025

Seven appeals filed against the NCAA revenue-sharing settlement

July 9, 2025

What to know about the 2026 World Baseball...

July 8, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News And Articles.

    Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

    Top News

    Boeing delivers most airplanes since late 2023 after...

    July 9, 2025

    Waymo offers teen accounts for driverless rides

    July 8, 2025

    Is a Chinese chain’s blood orange cold brew...

    July 7, 2025

    Is a Chinese chain’s blood orange cold brew...

    July 7, 2025

    Essence Fest leads a summer of events for...

    July 4, 2025

    • About us
    • Contacts
    • Email Whitelisting
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    Copyright © 2025 MarketGainsUpdates.com All Rights Reserved.

    Market Gains Updates
    • Economy
    • Investing
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Editor’s Pick