University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers Basketball Picked Third in American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll
Oct 29, 2014 | Men's Basketball
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NEW YORK, N.Y. - For the second-consecutive year, the University of Memphis men's basketball squad was picked third in the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll, the league office announced Wednesday during its annual media day held at the New York Athletic Club.
The Tigers, which finished 2013-14 with a 24-10 overall record, received 82 points to place third. Defending NCAA champion Connecticut was picked to win the league and was first with 96 points and six first-place votes in the preseason poll. SMU was second with 94 points and five first-place votes, and Cincinnati, the 2013-14 conference regular-season champion, rounded out the top-four with 71 points.
Memphis completed its first season in The American in 2013-14 in a three-way tie for third place with a 12-6 league mark. The Tigers tied for third with Connecticut and SMU. Memphis earned an NCAA Tournament bid and advanced to the third round.
The Tigers placed two players on the All-American Athletic Conference preseason first team in junior Shaq Goodwin and sophomore Austin Nichols. Memphis joins SMU as the only two schools in the league with two players on the preseason first team.
Goodwin was a 2013-14 All-American Athletic Conference second team pick after averaging 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a year ago. Nichols was named The American's 2013-14 Rookie of the Year, as he started all 34 games and averaged 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds as a freshman.
The following is the league's preseason coaches' poll and honors:
| 2014-15 American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll | ||
| Rank | Team (First-Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | Connecticut (6) | 96 |
| 2. | SMU (5) | 94 |
| 3. | Memphis | 82 |
| 4. | Cincinnati | 71 |
| 5. | Tulsa | 62 |
| 6. | Temple | 59 |
| 7. | Houston | 39 |
| 8. | USF | 32 |
| 9. | UCF | 26 |
| 10. | East Carolina | 24 |
| 11. | Tulane | 20 |
2014-15 American Athletic Conference Preseason Honors
Player of the Year
Ryan Boatright, G, Sr., Connecticut
Rookie of the Year
Daniel Hamilton, G/F, Fr., Connecticut
All-Conference Teams
First Team
Ryan Boatright, G, Connecticut *
Shaq Goodwin, F, Memphis
Austin Nichols, F, Memphis
Nic Moore, G, SMU *
Markus Kennedy, F, SMU *
James Woodard, G, Tulsa
Second Team
Amida Brimah, C, UConn
Anthony Collins, G, USF
Chris Perry, F, USF
Will Cummings, G, Temple
Quenton DeCosey, G, Temple
* unanimous selection
