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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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UNCASVILLE, CT – MARCH 04: Jasmyne Harris of Houston drives into the lane during the American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal matchup between the Temple Owls and Houston on March 04, 2017. Temple won the game 67-58. (Photo by Andrew Snook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT – MARCH 04: Jasmyne Harris of Houston drives into the lane during the American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal matchup between the Temple Owls and Houston on March 04, 2017. Temple won the game 67-58. (Photo by Andrew Snook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Houston Cougars
Predicted Finish: Sixth

Key returners (Last year’s stats):

F Dorian Branch, 5’10, Sr.: 10.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
G Jasmyne Harris, 5’8, Sr.: 14 GP, 16.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.2 SPG
G Julia Blackshell-Fair, 5’10, Jr.: 6.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 46% FG
F Tatyana Hill, 6’2, So.: 5.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG

Biggest losses:

F Octavia Barnes: 9.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 45% 3PT
G Angela Harris: 9.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG
G Serithia Hawkins: 9.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG
F Alyssa Okoene: 6.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 50% FG

Newcomers:

G Eryka Sidney
F Bria Patterson, 5’10, Fr.
G Miya Crump
G Britney Onyeje, 5’10, So.
G Paris Netherly
F Keasja Peace, 6’3, Sr.
F Maya Jones, 6’2, Jr.
F Jazmaine Lewis, 6’5, Fr.

Head coach: Ronald Hughey, 6th season

Houston’s win-loss record last year (15-16) may not have been sexy, but another 9-7 mark in conference play shows that Ronald Hughey has truly turned this program around. The Cougars won just six games in his first two seasons at the helm before winning 12 in year three and going to the WNIT in 2017-18.  In a league that should be a little tougher in 2019-20, it might be hard to finish in the top tier, but the university has shown its commitment to basketball and Hughey should be given every resource to try and keep Houston a consistent contender.

Key non-conference games:

Nov. 23 vs. Oklahoma
Nov. 28 vs. Syracuse (Greater Victoria Inivtational, Victoria, BC)
Dec. 4 vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Dec. 15 at Texas A&M

Outlook:

It’s tough to place Houston right now because the Cougars are still waiting on waivers for roughly half their roster. That’s only a mild exaggeration. According to the school, it has yet to hear from the NCAA regarding eligibility for Eryka Sidney, Miya Crump, Paris Netherly, and Maya Jones. What we do know is that Dorian Branch returns and brings with her a preseason all-AAC Second Team designation. She led the AAC in three-point percentage during conference games last year and is one of two returning double-digit scorers. The other is Jasmyne Harris, who missed the second half of last year, but averaged 16 per game early on.

Best-case scenario:

It’d be positively wild if the NCAA announced these decisions in a timely manner and didn’t leave us hanging two weeks before the season started, but nevertheless, here we are. Let’s say everyone is eligible to play. Sidney, Crump, and Netherly are all guards who should be able to provide quality depth immediately. Crump was even the Southland freshman of the year and scored in double-figures 23 times last year. Jones will be interesting to track in the front court as well — she averaged nearly three blocks a game at the community college level. Right now, I have Houston pegged sixth, really as a placeholder, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the Cougars could finish as high as fourth.

Worst-case scenario:

There’s a reason Houston brought in a bunch of transfers: it endured plenty of departures in the offseason. After Branch, the Cougars lost their next three leading scorers, including top rebounder Serithia Hawkins. The NCAA rulings don’t come down positively, the Cougars are going to have to rely on Branch and Harris to do all the heavy lifting. In a crossed middle of the AAC, the difference between sixth and ninth is a thin.

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