Let's review the top four conference teams as of now by comparing their schedules. Here is the preseason poll. FAU-1, Memphis-2, USF-9, Charlotte-13. Because USF and Charlotte were projected to be in the bottom half they were given the easiest schedules by quite a bit.
USF played
2 games against:
* #12
Temple
* #14
UTSA
* #13
Charlotte CBI Champions
* #11
Rice
* #10
Tulsa
USF played the five worst preseason teams twice. (avg. #12)
USF played
1 game against:
* #8
Wichita State
* #4
UAB
* #2
Memphis
* #5
ECU
* #6
North Texas
* #1
FAU
* #3
Tulane
* #7
SMU
USF played the top 8 preseason teams only once.
Charlotte played two games against:
* #9
USF
* #14
UTSA
* #5
ECU
* #11
Rice
* #10
Tulsa
Charlotte played only one team in the upper half twice.
Charlotte played
1 game against:
* #8
Wichita State
* #4
UAB
* #2
Memphis
* #12
Temple
* #6
North Texas
* #1
FAU
* #3
Tulane
* #7
SMU
Charlotte played the top four preseason teams just once each.
FAU played 5 teams
twice. #2 Memphis, #6 North Texas, #8 Wichita State, #4 UAB, #3 Tulane. Four teams in the top half. (avg. #4.6)
FAU played 8 teams
once. #5 ECU, #13 Charlotte, #14 UTSA, #11 Rice, #10 Tulsa, #12 Temple, #9 USF, #7 SMU. Six teams in the bottom half. (avg. #9.5)
Memphis played 5 teams
twice. #7 SMU, #3 Tulane, #8 Wichita State, #4 UAB, #1 FAU. Four teams in the top half. (avg. #4.6)
Memphis played 8 teams
once. #5 ECU, #13 Charlotte, #14 UTSA, #11 Rice, #10 Tulsa, #12 Temple, #9 USF, #6 North Texas. (avg. #9.375)
Memphis and FAU by far had the most difficult schedules in the conference by far, if you go by preseason rankings.
I get trying not trying to hurt the favorites to keep their Net up, but they may have hurt the teams they were trying to protect. Both Memphis and FAU are in danger of not making the tournament. Especially Memphis.