BATTLE AT THE TOP
This weekend features another game between two top contenders in The American when North Texas travels north to Tulsa to take on the Golden Hurricane. The Mean Green are tied for first place with a 7-2 conference record, while Tulsa is a game back at 6-3. Tulsa is 8-1 in home games, while North Texas is 6-4 on the road. Opening tip is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
EAST DRILLS BUZZER BEATER
Temple’s Tiarra East helped keep the Owls in contention for first place in The American, drilling a three-point buzzer beater to beat Wichita State on Wednesday, 66-65. The shot helped Temple overcome a nine-point second have deficit and move to 6-3 in conference play, just one game back from first place midway through the schedule.
CRASHING THE GLASS
The American features three teams in the Top 10 of the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game. Memphis (6th) averages 17.0 offensive rebounds per game, Temple (7th) averages 16.8 rebounds per game, and UTSA (10th) averages 16.2 offensive rebounds per game.
WHO WILL SEPARATE THEMSELVES?
Officially halfway through the 18-game conference schedule and the fight for the top spot in The American is still tight with nine of the 14 teams within two games of first place, and just one game separating the top five teams. North Texas and UAB sit atop the standings at 7-2, while Tulsa, Rice and Temple are all one game back at 6-3.
THE AMERICAN IN THE NET
North Texas (83) and Rice (99) sit atop the NET rankings in The American, while East Carolina (105), Temple (106) and South Florida (109) are a few spots behind.
SCHEDULE / RESULTS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
SMU 75, UTSA 58
Memphis 73, Rice 66
Tulsa 65, Charlotte 55
Florida Atlantic 63, Wichita State 56
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
South Florida 54, East Carolina 40
Temple 68, Tulane 50
North Texas 87, UAB 72
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
Temple 66, Wichita State 65
Tulane 70, Charlotte 68
UAB 83, Florida Atlantic 72
UTSA 75, North Texas 67
Rice 69, SMU 60
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
East Carolina 56, Tulsa 48
South Florida 69, Memphis 46
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Rice at Florida Atlantic* (ESPN+)_______________ 1 p.m.
Memphis at SMU* (ESPN+)_____________________ 3 p.m.
South Florida at UAB* (ESPN+)_________________ 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Temple at Charlotte* (ESPN+)__________________ 2 p.m.
East Carolina at Wichita State* (ESPN+)_________ 3 p.m.
North Texas at Tulsa* (ESPN+)_________________ 3 p.m.
Tulane at UTSA* (ESPN+)______________________ 3 p.m.
* American Athletic Conference Game
All times Eastern and subject to change
