Penny Hardaway has made it clear time and again: The
Memphis basketball coach wants to win the AAC tournament. The 16th-ranked Tigers (26-5) are the No. 1 seed for the first time since joining the league more than a decade ago. As a result, they've received one of four double-byes and won't play until Friday's quarterfinal round (noon CT, ESPN2). Even though Memphis just celebrated its first regular-season championship and is a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament, Hardaway and the Tigers still want to win the AAC tournament title. Senior guard Tyrese Hunter said so
after last week's win over South Florida in the regular-season finale. "Those conversations have already been had," Hunter said. "We’re in the locker room, enjoying it, but everybody’s like, ‘Hey, y’all, you know we’re not done.’ I mean, we’re going to enjoy this. But it’s really go-time now." Here are three predictions for this week's AAC tournament.
Memphis basketball predictions for AAC tournament
What Memphis' path will look like: The Tigers know they will face either Wichita State or USF in their first game on Friday (noon CT, ESPN2). Bet on Memphis getting the Shockers first and winning. After that, FAU or Tulane are most likely next. We're thinking it will be Tulane, and the Tigers will advance past the Green Wave. Memphis will face UAB on Sunday with the automatic bid on the line.
Tigers will win AAC championship: It's a cliché — it's hard to beat a team three times. In reality, it's more myth than anything else. And Memphis will prove it, beating the Blazers a third time this season.
Dain Dainja will be AAC tournament MVP: There are more than a handful of Memphis players completely capable of being honored. It could be leading scorer PJ Haggerty. It could be chief table-setter Tyrese Hunter. Colby Rogers could get white-hot. Nicholas Jourdain could blow up. But the thought here is that big man Dain Dainja is playing far too well right now for anyone else to claim it.
AAC tournament bracket
Who does Memphis play in AAC tournament?
Wichita State and USF (the tournament's Nos. 8 and 9 seeds) are scheduled to face off Thursday (11:30 a.m. CT, ESPNU). The Tigers will meet the winner of that game in the quarterfinals on Friday (noon CT, ESPN2).
How to watch AAC tournament
The first game on Wednesday (noon CT, Denton, Texas) will live stream on ESPN+. All four of the tournament's games on Thursday will air on ESPNU. ESPN2 will broadcast two quarterfinal-round games, while ESPNU will air the other two on Friday. Both of Saturday's semifinal games will air on ESPN2, while Sunday's championship game will be broadcast by ESPN. Every AAC tournament game will live stream on ESPN+.
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