This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
Over the past couple of seasons, conference realignment has cooled down. The AAC warmed things up by landing a nice fish in Wichita State, which had dominated the Missouri Valley since Creighton left the conference. The move allows the conference to have an even dozen teams. SMU and Cincinnati will not be able to dominate like last year, when they suffered a combined three conference losses. The conference could conceivably send three teams to the NCAA Tournament with a possible fourth lurking in teams like UCF, Temple, and Connecticut (if the Huskies can stay healthy). The American Athletic may not be able to break into "Tier 1" status, but it isn't far off.
Top Three Players
Gary Clark (F)
The Bearcats are known for their defensive prowess. Over his three seasons in Cincinnati, the 6-foot-8 Clark has typified this defensive stance. He has averaged at least a steal and a block in each season and is a tenacious rebounder to boot. As a junior, Clark provided 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He had seven double-doubles, including 13 points and 11 rebounds in the Jan. 26 win over Xavier in the battle for the Queen City. Clark took more 3-pointers last season than he had in the past, but converted just 28.6 percent from long range. If he can knock down a few more treys, opposing defenses may have to loosen up.
Malik "Shake" Milton (G) 
After playing behind or next to players such Nic
Over the past couple of seasons, conference realignment has cooled down. The AAC warmed things up by landing a nice fish in Wichita State, which had dominated the Missouri Valley since Creighton left the conference. The move allows the conference to have an even dozen teams. SMU and Cincinnati will not be able to dominate like last year, when they suffered a combined three conference losses. The conference could conceivably send three teams to the NCAA Tournament with a possible fourth lurking in teams like UCF, Temple, and Connecticut (if the Huskies can stay healthy). The American Athletic may not be able to break into "Tier 1" status, but it isn't far off.
Top Three Players
Gary Clark (F)The Bearcats are known for their defensive prowess. Over his three seasons in Cincinnati, the 6-foot-8 Clark has typified this defensive stance. He has averaged at least a steal and a block in each season and is a tenacious rebounder to boot. As a junior, Clark provided 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He had seven double-doubles, including 13 points and 11 rebounds in the Jan. 26 win over Xavier in the battle for the Queen City. Clark took more 3-pointers last season than he had in the past, but converted just 28.6 percent from long range. If he can knock down a few more treys, opposing defenses may have to loosen up.
Malik "Shake" Milton (G)
After playing behind or next to players such Nic Moore, Semi Ojeleye and Sterling Brown for the last two seasons, it may be Milton's time to shine. Even though he has had to share the spotlight, the 6-6 guard has been able to produce with 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as a sophomore. Milton hit 42.3 percent of his 3-pointers last season and should get more shot attempts from all over the court as the Mustangs' go-to player. He may lose some offensive facilitation duties to Arkansas transfer Jimmy Whitt, but Milton will have the ball in his hands a great deal.
Tacko Fall (C) 
Fall has one of the best names and unique games in college basketball. The 7-6 center blossomed as a sophomore because he was able to stay on the court longer. He is so tall that he is basically impossible to keep off the offensive boards. Fall was third in the nation with a 71.5 percent field goal conversion rate, and averaged 10.9 points and 9.5 rebounds. With second-leading scorer Matt Williams gone, coach Johnny Dawkins will look inside more often, and Fall should get more scoring opportunities to take advantage of his ability around the tin.
Top Newcomers
Nura Zanna (F)
The Cougars are set in the backcourt with Rob Gray -- who led the AAC in scoring last year with 20.6 points -- and point guard Galen Robinson. The frontcourt could be thin, so there is a place for the 6-7 Zanna, who averaged 9.2 points and 8.7 rebounds for Long Island last season. He joins Houston as a graduate transfer and will look to bring his rebounding prowess to bear. Zanna had 16 double-doubles as a junior and finished the season with five doubles-doubles in his last seven games. Look for Zanna to team with Devin Davis to provide the Cougars with some balance.
Stephan Jiggetts (G) 
The Orlando Antigua regime did not go as planned in South Florida, and the team won just under 30 percent of their games under the former Kentucky assistant. Brian Gregory steps in with a roster that is almost entirely new. He may just hand the ball to the 6-1 Jiggetts and see what happens. The Fairleigh Dickinson transfer averaged 13.5 points and 4.2 assists for the Knights last season and could lead the team in both stats despite the step up in competition.
Curran Scott (G) 
Tulsa also bolstered its lineup through the transfer route. The Golden Hurricane snagged the 6-4 Scott from Charlotte. As a freshman in 2015-16, Scott averaged 10.5 points and hit 43.9 percent of his 3-pointers for the 49ers. Tulsa returns five of its top scorers, but the 6-4 guard should get plenty of shot opportunities because he may be the team's best marksman from the perimeter. Scott scored 20 points or more five times as a freshman, including a 30-point outburst in a loss to UAB.
Pair of Sleepers
Alterique Gilbert (G)
Big things were expected from Gilbert before he tore his ACL last November. In his absence, Jalen Adams took the reins of the Husky offense, but coach Kevin Ollie may go with a two-point guard lineup to take advantage of his roster. Gilbert was the most highly touted freshman in the UConn 2016-17 class, and he received big minutes before the injury. He was reportedly back to full basketball activities in August and may get some post-hype sleeper buzz (if that makes any sense at all). Look for the 6-0 redshirt freshman to chip in points, assists, and steals.
Samajae Haynes-Jones (G) 
Injury leads to opportunity. With Landry Shamet likely out at the beginning of the season with a foot injury, Haynes-Jones could step in and lead the Shockers to start the season. The Wichita native returned after spending two seasons with Hutchinson Community College. He averaged 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists with a highlight of a 33-point game in a NJCAA tournament win. Expect the Shockers to take their time with Shamet because he missed the 2015-16 season with a foot injury, so Haynes-Jones could well step in.
