SMU won the regular season championship by one game over Cincinnati . The American Athletic Conference Tournament was held from March 9 through March 12 at the XL Center in Hartford , Connecticut . SMU defeated Cincinnati in the tournament championship to earn the conference 's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament . Simi Ojeleye was named the Tournament MVP
American Athletic Conference Tournament
2017 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2016–17 American Athletic Conference men's basketball season