Conference USA was a 16 team monstrosity last season that saw four teams tie for first place at 13-3. Tulsa ended up taking the automatic bid, losing in the Round of 64 to Michigan State. That loss was followed by Danny Manning’s departure for Wake Forest and the school’s departure for the American Athletic Conference. Louisiana Tech and UTEP both made postseason appearances (La Tech in the NIT and UTEP in the CBI) last season and look to be the top two teams heading into this year. The two other teams that tied for first with Tulsa and La Tech, Southern Miss (NIT) and Middle Tennessee (no postseason), look like they may fall off this season. Conference USA did place three additional teams into postseason play last year as Old Dominion, Tulane and East Carolina all received berths in the CBI. Of course, Tulane and East Carolina are both gone now, having followed Tulsa to the American. Western Kentucky does join the conference, however, bringing the total number of teams to a more manageable 14.
Louisiana Tech, led by a solid core group of Alex Hamilton, Raheem Appleby, and Michale Kyser, is our pick to win the conference this season. Erik McCree is a transfer form Murray State that could help push this team over the top. UTEP is, however, right on their heels with Tim Floyd adding a solid group of recruits to returning starters Julian Washburn, Vince Hunter and C.J. Cooper. A third team that could be right in the mix here is UAB, which scored one of the best recruiting surprises in the country by stealing William Lee away from the SEC schools. Lee may be the best recruit ever to choose to head to Birmingham, and with his talent, the Blazers have a chance to be very good. The biggest question at UAB is who will hold down the point guard spot after Chad Frazier’s departure.
Charlotte and Old Dominion are also bringing solid teams in this season, while North Texas has a chance to be a surprise contender, especially if Texas A&M transfer J’Mychael Reese proves to be eligible and can live up to his potential after a pair of disappointing seasons in College Station. In all, Conference USA should have a fair number of strong programs this season as its membership looks like it has (hopefully) stabilized. Two NCAA tournament bids is not out of the question in CUSA this year, though more than that would probably be a longshot.
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Louisiana Tech: Hamilton, Appleby and Kyser plus a strong batch of newcomers should have the Bulldogs dancing this year.
2. UTEP: Washburn, Hunter and Cooper will lead the way for Tim Floyd’s team that may be good enough for an at-large bid should they need one.
3. UAB: C.J. Washington was second on the team in scoring behind Frazier and his success, together with that of the team’s chosen point guard, could be enough to help Lee and company be on top of the standings.
4. Charlotte: With most of their key players back from last season, the 49ers could have what it takes to succeed.
5. Old Dominion: Aaron Bacote leads a group of deep, talented guards. If the frontcourt develops, the Monarchs will be dangerous.
6. North Texas: A dark horse candidate in the league, this team has young talent plus senior leader Jordan Williams who can light up the scoreboard.
7. Western Kentucky: T.J. Price and George Fant lead an experienced core, but the Hilltoppers will be facing tougher competition than the Sun Belt offered and may lack the depth to contend.
8. Middle Tennessee: D.J. Jones could be one of the top newcomers in the conference, and should be fun to watch. However, the Blue Raiders lost too many pieces from last year’s co-champions.
9. Southern Miss: Doc Sadler has come in to begin a rebuild project with their top four scorers gone.
10. Florida Atlantic: C.J. Turman is a key recruit and sophomore Marquan Botley is solid at the point as the post-Mike Jarvis era begins for the Owls.
11. Texas-San Antonio: Jeromie Hill sat out last season with a knee injury but is back this year. The rest of the pieces surrounding him may be too young though.
12. Florida International: Adrian Diaz transferred from Kansas State and should be the best player for the Golden Panthers . . . but a long season likely awaits.
13. Rice: Mike Rhoades has come in to coach from his role as an assistant at VCU and brings the “havoc” system with him. He just does not have the pieces for success yet.
14. Marshall: The Thundering Herd targeted Mike D’Antoni for their head coach job, but ended up with his brother, Dan. Dan does inherit Ryan Taylor who is a double-double threat on a nightly basis, but the rest of the cupboard looks pretty bare.