Memphis takes the second spot in the preseason AAC preseason coaches' poll behind newcomer Florida Atlantic. Previously, FAU defeated the Tigers in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament last year and advanced to the Final Four.
Despite winning the Conference Championship last year with help from star guard and Golden State Warriors rookie Kendric Davis, the Tigers for the 4th season in a row have been selected to finish second in the conference. AAC newcomer FAU overtook them in the poll, beating them out with 11 first-place votes ending with 167 points compared to Memphis’ 3 votes and 159 points.
Memphis this year will sport a whole new look, as it is entirely a new team outside of seniors Jayden Hardaway and Malcolm Dandridge. A team made up of veteran transfers and a few incoming freshmen (one being Ashton Hardaway) are highly favored and will look to compete for another conference title and make a run in March Madness.
Freshmen JJ Taylor and Carl Cherenfant were named AAC Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year. Transfers Jahvon Quinerly and Jordan Brown represent Memphis on the conference's Preseason Teams as Quinerly made the first and Brown in the second. All will have huge roles in helping the team be successful this year.
Coach Hardaway led the Tigers to second place in the AAC last year, going 26-9 overall and 13-5 in conference play. FAU finished 35-4 in the C-USA under coach Dusty May and ultimately won their respective conference title.
Memphis and FAU ended up squaring off in the 1st round of the tournament last year as it came down to the final seconds of the game. FAU secured the win on defense in clutch time and won 66-65.
Last year's outcome earned FAU a top spot in the early AAC rankings as they are favored to compete for their first conference title in their inaugural season. They have a good deal of players returning such as Alijah Martin and Johnell Davis along with the majority of the roster from the Final Four run.
Memphis is loaded with talent across the board with players and coaches. Coach Hardaway now has 2 national tournament appearances under his belt, securing the program's first AAC Conference Championship title last year.
The team he put together has the potential to compete at a high level while being new for the majority. Fans will get their first look at the team next month on October 29th in an exhibition match against Lane College at FedExForum.
