American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Release – February 2

IN THE RANKINGS

Florida Atlantic is ranked No. 20 in the AP Top 25 this week and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, while Memphis is receiving votes in both polls.

COMPETITIVE CONFERENCE PLAY

The American has had 22 of the 57 conference games in the 2023-24 either finish within three and/or gone to overtime. The percentage of close games, 38.6 percent, is the highest amongst major conferences (next closest is the Big 12 at 25.9 percent).

BULLS RIDING HIGH

South Florida has won six consecutive games in American Athletic Conference play and is 7-1 in league action, the best start in league play in program history.

49ERS ON A ROLL

Charlotte is on a 7-game winning streak, all of which has been during American Athletic Conference play. It marks the 49ers first 7-game win streak in conference play since 2009-10.

PILING UP THE WINS

Florida Atlantic has 52 victories since the start of the 2022-23 season, tied for the most in Division I.

Wins Since Start of 2022-23 Season

1.   Florida Atlantic  52

      Houston                 52

3.   UConn                    49

      Purdue                   49

5.   San Diego State   48

LENDEBORG’S BIG GAMES

UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg recorded a 23-point, 16-rebound performance in the Blazers win over No. 19 Memphis on January 28. It was Lendeborg’s fourth game with at least 23 points and 15 rebounds this season.

According to Sports-Reference.com, Lendeborg leads the nation with four games of the kind,  Zach Edey of Purdue is the only other player with three games with at least 23 points and 15 rebounds.

SCHEDULE/RESULTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25

North Texas 68, SMU 66

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27

South Florida 89, UTSA 72

Charlotte 75, Tulane 71

Tulsa 85, Rice 83

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28

No. 22 Florida Atlantic 66, North Texas 63

Wichita State 77, SMU 72

UAB 97, No. 19 Memphis 88

East Carolina 70, Temple 64 (OT)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31

South Florida 71, East Carolina 60

Tulsa 79, Wichita State 68

Rice 74, Memphis 71

UAB 82, North Texas 79 (OT)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

SMU 80, Tulane 76

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Wichita State at Memphis (CBS)…………………… 1 p.m.

East Carolina at Charlotte (ESPNU)……………… 2 p.m.

Rice at UTSA (ESPN+)………………………………………….. 3 p.m.

Tulsa at No. 20 Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)…….. 6 p.m.

South Florida at North Texas (ESPN+)…………. 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Temple at Tulane (ESPNU)………………………………… 4 p.m.

UAB at SMU (ESPN2)…………………………………………… 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Charlotte at South Florida (ESPN2)……………… 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

UTSA at Wichita State (ESPN+)………………… 7:30 p.m.

SMU at Rice (ESPN+)…………………………………………… 8 p.m.

North Texas at Tulsa (ESPN+)…………………………. 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Memphis at Temple (ESPN2)…………………………… 7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic at UAB (ESPN2)…………………….. 9 p.m.

All times ET and subject to change