Posted 03/12/17, 12:29 PM

DALLAS (AM News Net)  –  The SMU Mustangs (29-4, 17-1 American) are one step closer to winning the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title. The Mustangs will take on Cincinnati (29-4, 16-2) at 2:15 PM CST today for the AAC final. SMU enters the game with a 15 game win streak and having won 25 of their last 26 games.

SMU head coach Tim Jankovich, who was just named AAC coach of the year, has guided the team to the championship despite not even being head coach for a full year. Jankovich thinks the postseason play is deeply important due to an NCAA ban last year due to an investigation revealing academic fraud and unethical conduct.

"My heart when out to them so deeply because I remember how precious my playing career was to me, way more than when you're a coach," Jankovich said.

Jankovich explained that the controversy motivated him this year for the seniors.

"To have something taken away as big as a postseason opportunity killed me," he said. "This year I was even more motivated than normal just because I wanted them to have had the feeling when they leave here that made up or tried to make up for the feelings they had last year. [sic]"

If the Mustangs win over the Bearcats today, the victory will be the sixth straight playoff victory. SMU defeated the UCF Knights 70-59 on Saturday to advance tot he finals and also marked the most wins for their program in any season.

SMU senior Sterling Brown is gracious for the opportunity this year for a chance at the AAC title.

"It means a lot," he said. "This is what I play for. This is what everybody plays for." 

The Mustangs and the Bearcats both won their respective home games against each other this season.

"We're just trying to take advantage of what we got now," Brown said.

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