SMU, Cincinnati set for another rematch in AAC championship game

Staff Photographer Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Ben Moore (00) saves a ball from going out of bounds as Cincinnati Bearcats forward Gary Clark (11) defends during the second half of play at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, on Sunday, February 12, 2017. SMU defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 60-51. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)HARTFORD, Conn. -- Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin didn't understate his respect for his team's opponent in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game.

In the aftermath of a foul-filled, 81-71 victory over UConn on Saturday in the AAC semifinals, Cronin called top-seeded SMU one of the best teams in the country, something he said the Mustangs have…