Download the CBS Sports App today and get instant tournament news and alerts, plus play Bracket Games!
Outside of the major conference powers, the emerging American Athletic Conference is quietly producing perennial heavyweight teams to launch into the NCAA tournament year in and year out. Under Mick Cronin, Cincinnati has been to six straight NCAA tournament appearances, and SMU has seemingly taken a giant step forward this season under first year coach Tim Jankovich.
Both teams figure to make some noise this postseason -- and that starts on Thursday when the AAC conference kicks off in Hartford.
If you are unable to view the live blog below, <strong><em>please click here</em></strong>.
Here is how you can watch the tournament, along with picks for our college basketball experts.
When: March 9-12, 2017
Where: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
TV: ESPN
Stream: Watch ESPN
Follow: CBS Sports App
Predictions
Gary Parrish: Cincinnati
Matt Norlander: Cincinnati
Jerry Palm: Cincinnati
Howard Megdal: Cincinnati
Kyle Boone: SMU
Schedule/TV/Live Stream (All times Eastern)
| Thursday, March 9 (First round) |
| Game 1: No. 9 East Carolina 80, No. 8 Temple 69 |
| Game 2: No. 10 Tulane 60, No. 7 Tulsa 66 |
| Game 3: No. 11 USF 66, No. 6 UConn 77 |
| Friday, March 10 (Quarterfinals) |
| Game 4: East Carolina 77, No. 1 SMU 81 |
| Game 5: No. 5 Memphis 54. No. 4 UCF 84 |
| Game 6: No. 2 Cincinnati 80, No. 7 Tulsa 61 |
| Game 7: No. 6 UConn 74, No. 3 Houston 65 |
| Saturday, March 11 (Semifinals) |
| Game 8: No. 1 SMU 70, No. 4 UCF 59 |
| Game 9: No. 2 Cincinnati 81, No. 6 UConn 71 |
| Sunday, March 12 (Championship) |
| Game 10: No. 1 SMU vs. No. 2 Cincinnati | 3:15 p.m. | ESPN | WatchESPN app |
