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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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UNIVERSITY PARK, TX – FEBRUARY 07: Tulsa Golden Hurricane head coach Matilda Mossman talks with Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Shug Dickson (12) during the game between SMU and Tulsa on February 7, 2018, at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, TX – FEBRUARY 07: Tulsa Golden Hurricane head coach Matilda Mossman talks with Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Shug Dickson (12) during the game between SMU and Tulsa on February 7, 2018, at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Predicted finish: Eighth

Key returners (Last year’s stats):

G Shug Dickson, 5’9, Jr.: 14.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 35% 3PT, 88% FT, 29.1 MPG
G Alexis Gaulden, 5’8, Jr.: 8.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 36% 3PT, 24.4 MPG
F Crystal Polk, 6’2, Sr.: 8.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 56% FG, 18.2 MPG
G Tatyana Perez, 5’6, Sr.: Played in 14 games before suffering season-ending injury. 6.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.9 APG
F Kendrian Elliot, 6’2, Jr.: 5.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 74% FT, 17.5 MPG
G Rebecca Lescay, 5’8, So.: 4.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 22.3 MPG
G Morgan Brady, 5’7, So.: 3.9 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 82% FT, 17.0 MPG

Key losses (Last year’s stats):

G Erika Wakefield, 5’4: 11.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 32.9 MPG

Newcomers:

G Maddie Bittle, 5’8, Fr.: Posted 16.1 points, 6.5 rebounds 3.1 assists per game last year. Mossman notes that she is a good shooter and defender.
G KK Rodriguez, 5’6, Fr.: Two-time all-conference point guard. Lock-down defender who can score multiple ways, according to Mossman.
F Elin Hrafnkelsdottir, 6’1, Fr.: Long and mobile post player from Iceland. Refined defensive game and still developing on offense.
G Kayla Moutry, 5’9, Fr.: Can play guard or forward. Three-time all-district player in high school.
F Desiree Lewis, 5’10, Fr.: Averaged 13.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Four-time all-district performer and District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Mossman touts her high motor and ability to get to the free throw line.

Head coach: Matilda Mossman, 8th season

Mossman has nearly 40 years of coaching experience, both as a head coach and an assistant in high school and college. In seven seasons with the Golden Hurricane, she has only led them to an above-.500 record once, but the team returns the bulk of a frustratingly inconsistent group from last year the could be solid if it clicks.

Key non-conference games:

Dec. 1 vs. Alabama (Arizona State Classic)
Dec. 20 vs. Arkansas

Outlook: Tulsa went 10-21 last year, but lost nine of those games by single digits and eight by one or two possessions. This year, the Golden Hurricane return five of their top six scorers. With a pedestrian non-conference schedule lined up, we might not get a great idea of how good this team is until conference play.

Best-case scenario: Shug Dickson and Alexis Gaulden continue to improve from three and the freshmen (Lewis in particular) provide some help inside. Some of those close losses in conference play could be flipped to wins rather easily — especially considering the team is solid from the foul line and takes solid care of the ball. They can finish above .500 this year for just the second time in the AAC era.

Worst-case scenario: There wasn’t a ton to love about Tulsa last year. Its defense wasn’t great. The Golden Hurricane didn’t really score. And they got off to a terrible start with back-to-back losses to American and Belmont. Well, they visit those two schools again the first week of this season and with a couple more losses, we could be headed to more of the same. Inexperience at the point and a lack of clarity inside will spell trouble and Tulsa could again find itself near the bottom of the standings.

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