START OF THE 2020-21 SEASON
For the first time since the American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship in March, teams from The American head back to the court this week to officially open the 2020-21 season. Six different American teams are in action on Nov. 25 in nonconference play, and nine of the conference’s 11 teams are expected to kick off the season by the end of play on Nov. 29.

CHANGES TO THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE FORMAT
The 2020-21 league slate will feature each of The American’s 11 members competing in a 20-game, double round-robin schedule for the first time in conference history. Conference play begins for The American on Tuesday, Dec. 15, when Tulane travels to Orlando, Florida, to face UCF. League favorite USF is set to play in-state rival UCF on Feb. 7 and March 2, preseason third-place team Tulane on Jan. 13 and Feb. 20 and last season’s conference runner-up Cincinnati on Dec. 22 and Jan. 30. Along with its games against USF and Tulane (Dec. 15 and Feb. 17), preseason conference runner-up UCF will tangle with Cincinnati on Jan. 17 and Feb. 14.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO TEXAS
Another first in The American will take place this season when the men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments are contested in the same venue of the same city. The 2021 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship is scheduled for March 8-11 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The men’s tournament is scheduled to follow on March 11-14 at Dickies Arena.

THOMAS, DAVIS NAMED PRESEASON CO-POTY
Cincinnati senior forward IImar’I Thomas and Temple senior forward Mia Davis were selected as American Preseason Players of the Year following standout junior campaigns in 2019-20. Thomas, a 2020 WBCA Honorable Mention All-America choice, averaged 18.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 32 starts last season and led all American players with a .597 field goal percentage (236-of-395). Davis is the leading returning scorer and rebounder in the conference after tallying 18.8 points and 10.1 boards per game across 30 starts, earning 2020 USWBA Honorable Mention All-America honors. Davis also was included among 20 players nationally named to the preseason Cheryl Miller Award Watch List, recognizing the country’s best small forward.