PHILADELPHIA – Wichita State may have grabbed most of the buzz at the American Athletic Conference media day on Monday, and the talented Shockers may well be a legitimate contender for a spot in the NCAA Final Four.
But the coaches in The American feel Cincinnati are the team to beat in this fluid, ever-improving league, selecting the Bearcats to finish ahead of Wichita in the preseason poll by a vote of 116-115. Cincinnati got seven first place votes. Wichita got the other five.
The Bearcats, who are one of only eight schools to make the NCAA tournament in each of the last seven seasons, are coming off a 30-6 season.