The first day of action in the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference season literally couldn’t have gone any better as all seven teams that were in action came away with wins.
 
Things got started in Storrs, Connecticut, where UConn’s returning players received their 2014 NCAA Championship rings prior to the No. 17/15 Huskies’ opener against Bryant. The visitors used an early 18-0 run to build a halftime lead, but G Ryan Boatright took over as he finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals in a 66-53 UConn win.
 
Temple was able to grind out a 40-37 win against American, the 2014 Patriot League champion, at the Liacouras Center. The Owls shot 22.9 percent from the field, but used a 39-25 rebounding advantage to come away with the win.
 
Houston played its first game under new head coach Kelvin Sampson, who seems to have already had an effect on the Cougars, who rallied for a 77-74 road win against a Murray State squad that is the favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference. F Devonta Pollard led the way with 19 points and five rebounds.
 
No. 22/22 SMU, which went 18-1 at home last season, opened with a 93-54 victory against Lamar at Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs shot 61.1 percent from the field and put four players in double figures, led by F Ben Moore’s 22 points.
 
Cincinnati, which has been among the nation’s top defensive teams for years, showed no signs of letting off as the Bearcats smothered Saint Francis (Pa.) in a 52-37 win at Fifth Third Arena. F Octavius Ellis had 13 points and eight rebounds, while G Gary Clark had 10 points and six boards in his debut.
 
USF was a 75-61 winner against Flagler, giving Orlando Antigua his first career head coaching victory. East Carolina handled North Carolina Wesleyan, 99-81, as the Pirates won their 15th straight season-opener.