Learn More About American - Championship (Basketball)

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Tournament, often referred to as "The American Championship," is an annual postseason event that determines the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Established in 2014 following the split of the original Big East Conference, the AAC tournament has become a significant event in college basketball.

Tournament Structure:

• Format: The tournament is a single-elimination competition involving all member schools of the AAC. As of the 2024–25 season, the conference comprises 14 teams. Teams are seeded based on their regular-season records, with higher-seeded teams facing lower-seeded opponents in the initial rounds.

• Venue: In recent years, the tournament has been held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. For the 2025 championship, the event is scheduled from March 12th to 16th, with the first-round matchups taking place at the Super Pit in Denton, Texas, and the subsequent rounds at Dickies Arena.

Historical Context:

Since its inception, the tournament has seen various champions:

• 2014: Louisville (Note: Louisville's 2014 title was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions).

• 2015: SMU

• 2016: Connecticut

• 2017: SMU

• 2018: Cincinnati

• 2019: Cincinnati

• 2020: Tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

• 2021: Houston

• 2022: Houston

• 2023: Memphis

• 2024: UAB

Betting on the AAC Tournament:

If you're interested in betting on the AAC Men's Basketball Tournament, here are some key points to consider:

1. Understanding Betting Odds:

   • Moneyline Bets: This involves picking the outright winner of a game. Favorites are indicated with a minus sign (e.g., -150), meaning you'd need to bet $150 to win $100. Underdogs have a plus sign (e.g., +200), indicating you'd win $200 on a $100 bet.

   • Point Spread Bets: Oddsmakers set a margin of victory, known as the spread. For instance, if a team is favored by 5.5 points, they must win by at least 6 points for a bet on them to pay out.

   • Over/Under (Totals) Bets: This bet focuses on the combined total score of both teams. Bettors wager on whether the actual score will be over or under a specified number.

2. Futures Bets:

   • These involve placing bets on outcomes that will be determined in the future, such as which team will win the AAC Tournament. Odds for futures bets are typically released well in advance and can change based on team performance and other factors.

3. Where to Bet:

   • Ensure you're using reputable and legal sportsbooks. Many online platforms offer betting lines for college basketball tournaments, including the AAC Championship. Given your location in Orlando, Florida, it's essential to verify the legality of online sports betting in your state and choose platforms that operate within legal frameworks.

4. Responsible Gambling:

   • Always set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. Remember that betting should be a form of entertainment, not a means to make money. If you feel that gambling is becoming a problem, seek assistance from professional organizations dedicated to helping individuals with gambling issues.

By understanding the structure of the AAC Men's Basketball Tournament and the fundamentals of basketball betting, you can make informed decisions and enjoy the excitement of the games responsibly.