All American is Live! It's February which means the stretch run of the season is here and the most important games are ahead in the push to March and the American Basketball Championship. Maria Trivelpiece and Kyle Youmans break it all downbthis week from Studio A.
As usual what the standings looked like a couple weeks ago is not what they look like now, and with how this league is playing out that will probably be true in a couple of weeks.
South Florida leads the way as arguably the most complete and talented team in the conference. Fresh off a win and season sweep against Tulsa, the Bulls have been playing some great basketball. However it is not just the high flying offense that defeines South Florida it is the blue collar mentality and that mentality has been a hug difference.
Tulsa who has won 7 straight before falling to South Florida this past Sunday has been riding high all season. With 20 wins already it has been a deep Tulsa team gettign contributions from different players on different nights to lead the way. Over the last 4 games it has been Tylen Riley who has stepped up.
Just lurking aroudn has been Temple and the Owls find themselves a half game back of Tulsa and South Florida entering Wednesday in the standings. ESPN+ broadcaster Ray Dunne joins the show to discuss the sucess of Adam Fisher in now year 3 on North Broad. Along with the improvement of Aiden Tobiason and his impact on the owls.
The preseason favorite in the American is starting to look like it again. Memphis winners of 3 of the last 4 have strated to play up to the standard that is known under Penny Hardaway. It has been led by contributions from places you may not suspect highlighted by Sincere Parker's 40 points in 26 minutes against UAB. Parker did something no one had done since the 1990's.
Wichita State has now won 5 of the last 6 and it has been led by other contributors outside Kenyon Giles. Dillon Battie and Karon Boyd have had big games at big times for the Shockers recently. They discuss what it will take for Wichita to continue to win games and their advantage on the glass will play a huge part.
One of the most mystifing teams in the conference is UAB. The Blazers are 5-0 on the road in American play while 1-5 at home. With the conference tournament in Birmingham they probably will want to find their grove at home before March. Chance Westry has been a wizard for UAB leading the way the last few weeks.
Charlotte looks to find the winning ways again and get back on the right track after falling in both last week. With a tough stretch coming up consistent contibutions will be key for the 49ers.
Rice continues to fight and claw it's way at the cut line for the conference tournament. Led by a strong backcourt with Trey Broadnax and Nick Anderson the Owls look to make their mark as the season gets towards the end.
One of the best players in the American in South Florida's Izaiyah Nelson joins Maria to discuss his journey to South Florida. Along with what it is like to play under Head Coach Bryan Hodgson. They also discuss what has made South Florida so successful as a unit and how that team first identity can lead them a long way the rest of the season.
It is that time of year for some great sporting events. The super bowl just happened over the weekend, the winter olympics are in full swing and March Madness is right around the corner. Not to mention the World Cup later this year. Maria and Kyle work together to blind rank the best sporting events and well let's just say they have had better lists.
They end the show with top plays of the week higlighted by big time dunks, buzzer beaters, fancy behind-the-back passes and diving catches as one diamond sport returned to action over the weekend
Watch the episode on the American Conference YouTube Channel. Youtube.com/@AmericanConf