No. 7 seeded Tulsa will face No. 10 seeded Tulane at 2 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference Championship in Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tulsa (11-11, 7-9 in the AAC) lost to Tulane (9-12, 4-12), 48-58, in their only meeting this season. That game was originally scheduled for January 23 but was postponed due the coronavirus situation at Tulane. It was eventually played on February 10.
If Tulsa beats Tulane Thursday, they will face No. 2-seeded Houston at 6 p.m. on ESPNU on Friday. The Golden Hurricane upset then-No. 5 Houston 65-64 on December 29 in Tulsa and lost to the Cougars 59-86 in Houston on January 20.
In a season deeply affected by the coronarvirus pandemic, Tulsa has had six games postponed or canceled. TU lost five of their last six AAC games. Their only victory in the last three games was a 107-74 win at home against Northeastern State (Oklahoma).
Six Tulsa players scored in double-figures as the Golden Hurricane closed out the regular season with a 107-74 victory over Northeastern State. Brandon Rachal led the way with 18 points, followed by Austin Richie with 15, Keyshawn Embery-Simpson with 14, Darien Jackson and Manny Ugboh with 11 apiece and Rey Idowu with 10 points. NSU’s Troy Locke led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-5 from 3-point range.
“It was good to see us come off a tough loss just two days ago and guys came out and competed, particularly on the offensive end. I think we’re playing better. We’re sharing the ball and doing some things on offense much better here in the last half of the season,” said Tulsa coach Frank Haith.
The winner of the American Athletic Conference Championship gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Houston, Wichita State and SMU are candidates for possible at-large bids should they not win the AAC
Tournament. Tulsa would have to four games in four days to get the conference’s automatic bid. The Golden Hurricane would not get at-large berth but could be considered for the National Invitation Tournament should they not win the league title.