NCAA

AAC Tournament Preview: Who, if anyone, can challenge UConn?

Unsurprisingly, the Huskies obtained No. 1 overall status in the 2019 AAC Tournament, while No. 2 Central Florida earned its highest seed in AAC Tournament history.

By Carly Regehr Mar 8, 2019, 8:00am EST

NCAA Womens Basketball: Houston at Connecticut — The UConn Huskies are looking to defend their 2018 AAC tournament title with help from homecourt advantage and a first-round bye.

Since its first tournament title game in 2014, the American Athletic Conference — on the women’s basketball side of things — has been dominated by no other than the UConn Huskies. Back then, Louisville was considered a core member, but once the Cardinals left for the ACC, the AAC primarily has turned into a duel between UConn and South Florida.

Compared to last year, then-No. 10 Houston is the most improved team for this year’s schedule of games, as they sit at No. 4. Meanwhile, No. 5 South Florida faces an uphill climb for the first time in its AAC Tournament run. And, UConn? Right at home with the overall No. 1 seed for the sixth year in a row, followed by No. 2 Central Florida, No. 3 Cincinnati and No. 4 Houston.

The American Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off at noon on Friday, March 8, when No. 12 Tulane tries to knock off No. 5 South Florida.

Schedule

When: Friday, March 8 — Monday, March 11

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

How to view: ESPN3 (first round, quarterfinals), ESPN2 (semifinals, championship)

Bracket

FIRST ROUND

Game 1 — No. 12 Tulane vs. No. 5 South Florida

Friday, March 8, Noon ET, ESPN3

Game 2 — No. 9 Southern Methodist vs. No. 8 East Carolina

Friday, March 8, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3

Game 3 — No. 10 Wichita State vs. No. 7 Tulsa

Friday, March 8, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3

Game 4 — No. 11 Memphis vs. No. 6 Temple

Friday, March 8, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

QUARTERFINALS

Game 5 — No. 4 Houston vs. Game 1 winner

Saturday, March 9, Noon ET, ESPN3

Game 6 — No. 1 Connecticut vs. Game 2 winner

Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3

Game 7 — No. 2 Central Florida vs. Game 3 winner

Saturday, March 9, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3

Game 8 — No. 3 Cincinatti vs. Game 4 winner

Saturday, March 9, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

SEMIFINALS

Game 9 — Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner

Sunday, March 10, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Game 10 — Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner

Sunday, March 10, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2

CHAMPIONSHIP

Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner

Monday, March 11, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2