2023 American Athletic Conference Forecast

As part of our in-depth preseason college softball coverage, today we dive into the American and forecast what could be in store for the league during the 2023 season.

For our remaining Conference Forecasts in 2023, we’ve also added a team-by-team breakdown and analysis of every program in the conference. Check that out in Section XI below.

1. Conference Breakdown

UCF won the regular-season and conference tournament titles last season. The Knights were also the first AAC team to host a regional, earning the #16 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.

This is the final season of the current, small-number softball showing in the American. UCF and Houston will depart for the Big 12 after this season, while five softball programs will join the league. For the 2023 season, though, the 7-team race remains unchanged.

Current members of the American include East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, Tulsa, UCF, and Wichita State.

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II. Award Predictions

Player of the Year: Sydney McKinney, Wichita State
Pitcher of the Year: Kenna Wilkey, Houston
Coach of the Year: Shane Winkler, East Carolina
Conference Champions: UCF Knights

NCAA Tournament Teams: UCF, Wichita State

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