The American Athletic Conference

This is the first year of the American Athletic Conference Tournament and will be held in Memphis at the FedEx Forum. The American is certain to get 5 bids this season with Cincinnati, Louisville, SMU, UConn and Memphis locked in. It was a very successful first season for the conference coupled with a BCS victory for Central Florida. Unfortunately, the conference loses Louisville next season to the ACC. They also lose Rutgers which will certainly crush them for decades. Or not.

Final Standings:

1. Cincinnati, 15-3 (26-5), 18th KenPom
    Louisville, 15-3 (26-5), 2nd KenPom

3. SMU, 12-6 (23-8), 26th KenPom
    UConn, 12-6 (24-7), 30th KenPom
    Memphis, 12-6 (23-8), 38th KenPom

Louisville has been fantastic in the last month and Russ Smith is playing at an unbelievable level. They're the favorite and a legitimate Final 4 threat. Memphis is probably the second most talented team overall and has home court advantage. UConn has the two headed tandem of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Cincinnati has 3 solid seniors lead by Sean Kilpatrick. Any are a realistic pick but I'll take Louisville. It's a very strong top 5, arguably as strong as any top 5 in the nation.

As for the rest of the conference, well, I don't see any team outside these five stealing a bid so bubble teams should breathe easy.