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2018-19 American Athletic Conference preview: UConn is still on top, but the middle of the pack is strengthening

By Russell Steinberg

Connecticut Huskies guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) pushes the ball up court against Temple during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 at McGonicle Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. Dangerfield scored 12 points to help UConn to 113-57 victory. (John Woike/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images)
Connecticut Huskies guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) pushes the ball up court against Temple during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 at McGonicle Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. Dangerfield scored 12 points to help UConn to 113-57 victory. (John Woike/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, CT – JANUARY 28: Houston Cougar’s Guard Angela Harris (0) dribbles the ball past UConn Huskies Saniya Chong (12) and Gabby Williams (15) during the second half a women’s NCAA division 1 basketball game between the Houston Cougars and the UConn Huskies on January 28, 2017, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT – JANUARY 28: Houston Cougar’s Guard Angela Harris (0) dribbles the ball past UConn Huskies Saniya Chong (12) and Gabby Williams (15) during the second half a women’s NCAA division 1 basketball game between the Houston Cougars and the UConn Huskies on January 28, 2017, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Houston Cougars

Predicted finish: Fourth

Key returners (last year’s stats):

G Jasmyne Harris, 5’8, Jr.: 19.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 36% 3PT, 43% FG, 33.1 MPG
G Angela Harris, 5’6, Jr.: 14.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.9 SPG, 35% 3PT, 41% FG, 33.4 MPG
G Seritha Hawkins, 5’11, Sr.: 12.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 70% FT, 44% FG, 33.5 MPG
F Dorian Branch, 5’10, Jr.: 9.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 74% FT, 36% 3PT, 33.9 MPG
F Octavia Barnes, 5’11, Sr.: 7.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 23.7 MPG
F Myyah West, 6’2, Sr.: 5.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 41% FG, 20.0 MPG
G Julia Blackshell-Fair, 5’10, So.: 4.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 42% FG, 16.9 MPG

Key losses (last year’s stats):

NONE

Newcomers:

G Dymond Gladney, 5’3, Fr.: Two-time team MVP in high school. Won district championship every season. Viewed as a true point guard and strong defender.
G Jaidah Stewart, 5’10, Fr.: Three-star recruit, per ESPN. Named All-State, All-Conference, and All Metro in high school. Won Missouri State Championship.
F Tatyana Hill, 6’2, Fr.: Averaged a double-double in high school. Expected to provide depth in the front court. Can play inside or out and her athleticism makes her a tough matchup.
G Doris Jones, 5’10, Jr.: Transfer from Diablo Valley College where she was conference player of the year. Averaged 20.7 points per game over two seasons.
F Alyssa Okoene, 6’3, RS So.: Redshirted last year after transferring from North Carolina. Started 10 games for UNC in 2017, averaging 2.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Former three-star prospect, per ESPN.

Head coach: Ronald Hughey, 5th season

Look at Houston’s improvement during Hughey’s time at the helm. Six wins in 2015 and 2016. 12 wins in 2017. 20 wins in 2018. Now, virtually the entire team back for 2018-19. It’s easy to be optimistic in the preseason about most teams in this conference (just read this preview), but Houston may be the team that makes the loudest improvement this year.

Key non-conference games:

Nov. 6 at California
Nov. 28 at Florida Gulf Coast
Dec. 6 vs. Texas A&M

Outlook: The brand, spankin’ new Fertitta Center appears to be in for a strong inaugural year with the Houston men’s and women’s basketball programs on the rise. On the women’s side, the Cougars return almost 97 percent of their scoring from last year while bringing in some three-star recruits and transfers. Houston went 9-7 in conference last year and now has a real shot at a top-four — maybe higher — finish. Count the Cougars as my dark horse team in the AAC.

Best-case scenario: Dare we call the Cougars a potential tournament team? That might be asking too much in a conference that isn’t exactly kind to any teams not named UConn or USF. And as much as Houston seemed improved last year, it lacked any sort of win of note. For now, let’s say the Cougars should shoot for a bye in the AAC Tournament. We can re-assess after a tough opening week to the season against Cal, Georgia Tech, and Louisiana Tech.

Worst-case scenario: Yes, Houston is better. But so are a handful of other teams in the AAC. You can call it the effect of being in the same conference as UConn for a few years. With Houston ranking as the second-worst team in the AAC in scoring defense, it’s hard to give them a bunch more projected wins “just because.” In fact, it’s not a stretch to say we could see Houston struggle through another year of more of the same — wins over the bottom half of the conference, losses against the top.

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