The American Women’s Basketball Championship is shaping up to be the most competitive it has been in years, with multiple teams eyeing the conference championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
While Rice University enters the tournament as the defending champions, they are unlikely to repeat this season as several teams have emerged as serious contenders. The University of South Florida, University of North Texas, Temple University, Tulane University and University of Tulsa have all shown promise throughout the season. However, one team has separated itself from the pack. With a 23-3 overall record and a dominant 14-1 mark in conference play, UTSA should be considered the favorite to win its first AAC title and secure its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009.
UTSA’s rise to the top of the conference has been no fluke. Led by senior forward Jordyn Jenkins — the most dominant scorer in the AAC — the Roadrunners have overwhelmed opponents on both ends of the floor.
Jenkins’ ability to take over games offensively has been crucial, but UTSA’s success has also been driven by the team’s suffocating defense and relentless rebounding efforts. The Roadrunners lead the AAC in rebounding margin and offensive rebounding while ranking first in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 56.1 points per game. Their defensive identity has allowed them to grind out wins even on nights when their shots are not falling.
While UTSA has been the best team in the AAC all season, South Florida is the biggest threat to the team’s championship aspirations. The Bulls are 20-8 and on a nine-game winning streak, making them the hottest team in the conference. Guard Sammie Puisis is one of the most dangerous perimeter scorers in the AAC, and South Florida’s balanced attack gives them the ability to keep up with any opponent. The Bulls also boast one of the better defenses in the conference — allowing just 60.5 points per game, which could make for an intriguing potential championship matchup with UTSA.
North Texas and Temple could also make deep tournament runs. The Mean Green are one of the best offensive teams in the AAC, averaging 69.7 points per game, and forward Tommisha Lampkin has been a force in the paint all season. Meanwhile, Temple has a strong defensive presence and is excellent at forcing turnovers, which could make them a difficult matchup for any team.
Tulane and Tulsa are both dangerous as well. The Green Wave rely on their frontcourt play, while the Golden Hurricane are one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league.
Despite a competitive field, no team has been as steady and dominant as UTSA this season. Jenkins has been the catalyst, while sophomore forward Idara Udo, graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron, junior guard Sidney Love and a well-rounded supporting cast have provided key support. The Roadrunners have the depth, defense and rebounding to win the AAC Tournament and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years. If they maintain the level of play they’ve shown all season, expect UTSA to leave Fort Worth as conference champions.
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