[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - American Conference

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The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports.

Our next conference sets our sights to the American Conference. Unfortunately for them, they found themselves at a net-negative this time around throughout conference shifting, as their lone move, SMU, left for the ACC. This year, we might see tiered-play in the conference, so to speak, as there are groups of teams situated in different levels. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 

13. North Texas
NSNN Team Grade: 424.5
NSNN Average Grade: 38.59
Team Overall Rank: 179
NSNN Offensive Rank: 250
NSNN Defensive Rank: 163
Key Player: PF Jae Opena 

To start us off in the American rankings in North Texas, one of the newer teams that came from the C-USA next year. This year, North Texas finds them at the bottom of the American, which is unfortunate given that they could be so much more. The Mean Green have an okay defensive side this year, but they have issues on offense, as they are closer to a sub-200 score. This is enough to drag them down to the lowest score in the American Conference. They do have, however, critical returners for this year. James Mcclone brings close to perfect rebounding skills, and Jae Opena will provide some relief on defense. But again, their offense is not great, however they can look towards Jose Rodriguez from Uruguay to help bring in some offensive firepower this year with a lack thereof. 

12. Rice
NSNN Team Grade: 475
NSNN Average Grade: 39.58
Team Overall Rank: 167
NSNN Offensive Rank: 172
NSNN Defensive Rank: 146
Key Player: SF Daniel Hood 

The Rice Owls aren't last in the conference this year, but it sure feels like it, given this roster's composition. There is not a single star player on this team at the moment. So then, how did they get to this point? Simply put, they have better statistics. They aren't pretty, however. They are only top-200 in offense and top-150 on defense. While this isn't bad, per se, it's not great, especially considering that they play in a mid-major conference in the form of the American Conference. The best player? Junior forward Daniel Hood, who has shown time and time again his prowess beyond the 3-point line, will bring the bulk of the offense for Rice. Wade Rogge also is a stellar defender on both ends on the floor. However, don't be surprised if Rice is last in the conference this year.

11. UTSA
NSNN Team Grade: 484.5
NSNN Average Grade: 40.38
Team Overall Rank: 162
NSNN Offensive Rank: 162
NSNN Defensive Rank: 107
Key Player: SG Kevin Ridley 

It's going to be hard to come for @checkman and the UTSA Roadrunners this year. They finish off the bottom of the barrel this year with the last sub-400 grade in the conference. And if there is anything that can be an unfortunate part of UTSA's woes, it would more than definitely be on the offense, with the only respectable volume shooter being Matthew Russ and Kelvin Ridley also being great on the 3-point line. However, they are much more proficient on defense, just barely missing the top 100. This team's senior class, Andrew Martinez, Herman Spencer, and John Serviss, make up a scary defensive trio for the Roadrunners, especially in the perimeter. This team will be able to stop guys on the perimeter but fail to put up on the perimeter themselves.    

10. East Carolina
NSNN Team Grade: 484.5
NSNN Average Grade: 40.38
Team Overall Rank: 150
NSNN Offensive Rank: 159
NSNN Defensive Rank: 188
Key Player: PG Albert Tierney 

This team used to be one of the best teams in the American Conference, but that is far from the case this year. The East Carolina Pirates is the first over-500 team in the league, which is best for 10th in the conference.  And the fallout appears to be evident, as they go sub-150 in both offensive and defensive rank despite hitting the 150 mark this year. @ObliviousLAX has some work to do, but why would they be in this position?  Perhaps due to the lack of players, with the lowest count in the American Conference. However, they are still pretty good players. Albert Tierney is, by far and large, the best player on the roster. Ruben Rocha and Oliver Steadman are okay players on the dot, and Willie White and Doug Parks are the future of this team. Expect this team to overperform this year. 

9. Tulsa
NSNN Team Grade: 525.5
NSNN Average Grade: 47.77
Team Overall Rank: 147
NSNN Offensive Rank: 158
NSNN Defensive Rank: 149
Key Player: C Jon Wood 

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane this year fits the definition of the middle of the pack, as that is what they are this year. They won't blow you away, but they seem to be in the top half of the division in every category possible, which is unfortunate considering the fact that this would not be enough to move the needle. They are in the middle of both overall rank and offensive and defensive rank. They are around the middle of the pack because of the lack of talent but with the addition of some good players on the team. Jon Wood will crash the board on offense and defense and protect this team from three, as will Jay Handley. But they will be leaving the team next year. It's up to Li Thach to hold that mantle next year, but he looks good for Tulsa. 

8. Charlotte
NSNN Team Grade: 535.5
NSNN Average Grade: 44.63
Team Overall Rank: 138
NSNN Offensive Rank: 126
NSNN Defensive Rank: 112
Key Player: PF James Fretz 

This is not a bad team by any means. Charlotte might not be the most impressive team on the docket, but they are close to being one the way things are going. Their stats are the best out of any of the teams so far, ranking within the top 150. None of them are in the top 100 yet, but the outcome looks good for them so far—ranking 126th in offense and 112th in defense. However, the most significant question mark for the team this year is the future. James Fretz is an offensive powerhouse for Charlotte, and Jeffery Amin is a two-way player looking to excel for the 49ers. But they might be in good hands, coupled with a fast-growing duo of Louis Bruns and Bernard Butler and a great freshman newcomer in the form of Arthur Guzman from Kaiser High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, highly touted for his rebounding in high school. 

7. UAB
NSNN Team Grade: 540.5
NSNN Average Grade: 45.04
Team Overall Rank: 130
NSNN Offensive Rank: 116
NSNN Defensive Rank: 110
Key Player: PG Michael Butler 

We have reached the top half of the conference, and there will be no shortage of talent from this point forward. The UAB Blazers will start us off with another team that is better than advertised. Although they aren't in the top 125 in terms of overall rank, they are in offensive and defensive rank with a slight advantage in the defensive rank. This comes from Gregory Moncada, who has been on the rise in defense. The offense will be helmed by the senior duo of Michael Butler and Kevin Harris, who are also consequentially the best two shooters in the team who can also do it on the defensive side. The Blazers also grabbed themselves a 4-star player in recruiting, Charles Goldsby from Guinea, who will easily nab a starting spot for UAB this year at center.  

6. Florida Atlantic
NSNN Team Grade: 563
NSNN Average Grade: 46.92
Team Overall Rank: 105
NSNN Offensive Rank: 74
NSNN Defensive Rank: 186
Key Player: PG John Kirkpatrick 

One of the more pleasant surprises of the year shows us Florida Atlantic. The Owls find themselves in 6th in these rankings, something they would not expect in the year. They are getting closer to a top-100 rank in all of Division I and are the first team to rank in the top 100 in any category. This team is perhaps underrated, as their superb offensive ranking is held back dangerously by their low defensive ranking, only top-200 in the country, which is the only thing holding them back from a top-100 place. One of their kept secrets is John Kirkpatrick, who is an all-around offensive powerhouse for the FAU Owls, as does David Christensen, who will undoubtedly be propelled to the leader role next year. Also, look for Anil Boone and Donald Pruitt to help give some defensive cushion for FAU. 

5. USF
NSNN Team Grade: 589.5
NSNN Average Grade: 45.35
Team Overall Rank: 76
NSNN Offensive Rank: 87
NSNN Defensive Rank: 63
Key Player: SG Philip Onuska 

We get to our first top-100 team all around in the form of the USF Bulls. There is much to be proud of for the USF squad, putting up and impressive 76th-ranked team in the nation. This also comes with an 87th-ranked offense and a 63rd-ranked defense to support these Bulls. However, this feels like a trap team. Despite all of these accolades here in the preseason, there seems to be a chink in the armor, and that is their depth. They don't necessarily have that one player who could be assured as the top dog on the team, and that might come back to haunt them in the long run. Philip Onuska is a solid player despite his weakness in the paint, but other than that there aren't any strong playmakers for the Bulls. We could expect USF to struggle this season, but that is all unlikely to happen.

4. Memphis
NSNN Team Grade: 624.25
NSNN Average Grade: 48.02
Team Overall Rank: 47
NSNN Offensive Rank: 44
NSNN Defensive Rank: 99
Key Player: SF Dale Chandler 

We get to our first top-50 team and over-600 team for this conference. Time in and time out, the Memphis Tigers have given us the highest-level of basketball every season, and this season is no different for these Tigers. They are a top-50 team in the nation, and they have a top-50 offense on the season, so expect this team to be near perfect in that regard. However, there seems to be a chink in the armor, and that is their defense, which is in the bottom half of the top 100 this time around. The roster shows how top-heavy this team is on offense, with Dale Chandler and Michael Spurrier leading in that regard and redshirt junior Nolan Criswell being the only lockdown defender on this offensive-talented Memphis squad. 

3. Tulane
NSNN Team Grade: 651.25
NSNN Average Grade: 59.20
Team Overall Rank: 37
NSNN Offensive Rank: 118
NSNN Defensive Rank: 75
Key Player: SF Matthew Cooper 

@kgreene829has done an excellent job in turning the Tulane Basketball team around, from rearing closer to the bottom of the pack in the American Conference to being one of the best teams, and it's good enough to be in the top 3 in the entirety of the conference this year. And the craziest part is that they have officially done it despite low ranks in some categories. This team was not expected to pull through, having a sub-100 offensive rank and defense that only ranks #75 in the division. This is all thanks to the prowess of Matthew Cooper, who was arguably one of the best players on the roster and has a promising future ahead of him as he decided to stay. Also, don't sleep on Edward Sanchez, who brings offense to the Green Wave, and another solid defender in Paul Cook, a transfer from San Diego State who joins this Tulane Green Wave squad. 

2. Wichita State
NSNN Team Grade: 687.5
NSNN Average Grade: 52.88
Team Overall Rank: 28
NSNN Offensive Rank: 49
NSNN Defensive Rank: 25
Key Player: SG Milford Mckeown 

With two great coaches officially sandwiched between the club, it comes as possibly a surprise to some of the people here that Wichita State is ranked as high as they are here. It's not the offense that is carrying, as they are ranked closer to the top 50, but it is the defense. They are the first team in the top 25 in defense, making them one of the best defensive teams for the 2024 season. This team is more suited for the perimeter defense, but this year, Blaine Oconner and Joshua Robbins are the defensive stalwarts for the Shockers. They still have offensive workhorses, such as all-around shooter Johnson Workman and Milford Mckeown, a two-way but better on the offensive end. But Shockers fans should cherish this team, as nothing lasts forever here in Wichita State. 

 

1. Temple
NSNN Team Grade: 724.25
NSNN Average Grade: 55.71
Team Overall Rank: 16
NSNN Offensive Rank: 24
NSNN Defensive Rank: 37
Key Player: PG Gerald Cary 

Another grand season is coming for the Temple Owls under the direction of @SandyToez. This team stands as the lone squad that lands into the top 25 in Division I, at least in terms of overall ranking. This is also the offense case, ranking 24th in the country and having a good defense at 37th overall. There is almost no wrong that this team can do for this upcoming season, and they have all of the tools for an excellent season for the Owls. Temple's offensive firepower comes at the hands of Gerald Cary and Willie Gibson this year. On defense, the player that stands out is Michael Peterson, who impressed on the perimeter. Temple also has some freshmen to look out for. Rima Leach from Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming, and John Mckinnie from Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas, headlines this impressive freshman stand for Temple.

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