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2019-20 American Athletic Conference preview: After UConn, the league is wide open

By Russell Steinberg

ALBANY, NY - MARCH 29: Connecticut Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) dribbles the ball past UCLA Bruins Guard Japreece Dean (24) defending during the first half of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Connecticut Huskies on March 29, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ALBANY, NY - MARCH 29: Connecticut Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) dribbles the ball past UCLA Bruins Guard Japreece Dean (24) defending during the first half of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Connecticut Huskies on March 29, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 02: Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes (23) is guarded by SMU Mustangs forward Makenzie Ellis (1) during the game between SMU and Memphis on March 2, 2019 at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 02: Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes (23) is guarded by SMU Mustangs forward Makenzie Ellis (1) during the game between SMU and Memphis on March 2, 2019 at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Memphis Tigers
Predicted finish: Eleventh

Key returners (Last year’s stats):

G Jamirah Shutes, 5’6, So.: 13.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.2 APG
F Alana Davis, 6’2, Jr.: 11.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 50% FG
G Gazmyne Herndon, 5’8, Sr.: 6.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.8 APG

Biggest losses:

G Taylor Barnes, 5’8: 9.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.1 APG
G Jada Stinson, 5’8: 5.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.6 APG
F Jasmine James, 6’1: 5.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG
F Kiana Coomber, 5’11: 4.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG
F Brianna Porter, 6’3: 2.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG
F Ashia Jones, 6’1: 2.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG

Newcomers:

G Madison Griggs, 5’9, Fr.
G Aerial Wilson, 5’10, Fr.
F Keke Hunter, 6’0, Jr.
F Jennifer Parker, 6’1, Jr.
F Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, 6’4, Jr.
G/F Julan McDonald, 6’0, Jr.
F Lanyce Williams, 6’1, Fr.
F Lanetta Williams, 6’3, Fr.

Head coach: Melissa McFerrin, 12th season

It’s been a weird offseason for the Memphis women’s basketball program. First, it extended McFerrin’s contract despite back-to-back 20-loss seasons and three straight with losing records. Then, the university had to conduct an external investigation into the program, the findings of which revealed a “negative culture and atmosphere surrounding the program.” Part of the problem came from above McFerrin’s paygrade — specifically that the athletic department appeared to be favoring the resurgent men’s basketball program without providing equitable accommodations for the women. But part of the responsibility falls on McFerrin and comments she has made to players that have been seen as “insensitive or racist.” The result was two transfers out in Jada Stinson (Arkansas State) and Taylor Barnes (Georgetown) and another player (Kiana Coomber) who left the program. McFerrin still has her job, for now, but whether she keeps it might not depend solely on whether she can get Memphis winning again.

Key non-conference games:

Nov. 13 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 17 vs. George Washington
Nov. 28 vs. Kansas State (Junkaroo Jam, Bahamas)

Outlook:

If you can get past the obvious awkwardness of the upcoming season, Memphis has some talent and potential. Jamirah Shutes was one of the most important players to her team in the conference last year, ranking sixth in minutes per game and 10th in usage rate. She’s great at getting to the line, converting when she gets there, and dishing to her teammates. As an added bonus, she’s a quality defender. Taylor Barnes and Jada Stinson are two tough losses to take, but perhaps this is an opportunity for Gazmyne Herndon to step up. She didn’t exactly stuff the stat sheet last year but played starters’ minutes and ranked ninth in the league in assist rate. She just needs to cut down on her turnovers.

The question, of course, is how Memphis integrates its eight newcomers into the fold. This is McFerrin’s best freshman class in her time at Memphis, headlined by ESPN top-100 prospect Lanetta Williams. ESPN touts Williams as an athletic 4 who can score in the line, from the line, or with her jumper. She chose Memphis over offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, and more. Madison Griggs, Aerial Wilson, and Lanyce Williams are all three-star recruits who rank in the top 100 at their position. Also look for Keke Hunter to see immediate minutes in the front court. She was a double-double machine at South Plains College (NJCAA).

Best-case scenario:

The great recruiting class is ready to play on night one and the JuCos step in to make up for serious roster turnover. Shutes follows up her phenomenal freshman year with an equally strong sophomore campaign and the off-court stuff surrounding the program seems to magically disappear. It all results in an improvement off that 11-20 record, but with no more than eight wins in conference.

Worst-case scenario:

When you go 11-20 and half your team either graduates or transfers out, expectations can’t be too high. In fact, when you look at their AAC schedule, it’s hard to circle any “should-be-wins” for the Tigers. Another season tied for last is certainly possible.

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