Originally published in USA Today Sports Weekly’s College Basketball Season Preview issue.
By TAYLOR NIGRELLI
Team Capsules
Charlotte
What to Watch: The 49ers are looking to make a jump into the upper tier of the conference after finishing .500 last season. The team returns three starters, including Andrien White and Jon Davis, who were on last year’s All-Freshman team. Gone is second-team all-star Joe Uchebo, but three-star recruit Quentin Jackson, Clemson transfer Austin Ajukwa and TCU transfer Hudson Price all join the fold.
Bottom Line: Charlotte has a bevy of young talent, much of which is concentrated among young players. Second-year Coach Mark Price has done a nice job adding to an already solid 49er team this offseason. The 49ers will almost certainly improve this season. The question is, how much? Will it be enough to vault them into NCAA Tournament talk? Regardless, the future is bright for the 49ers.
Florida Atlantic
What to Watch: The Owls four starters for a team that struggled mightily in 2015-16. Jeantall Cylla, Ronald Delph and Adonis Filer averaged a combined more than 30 points per game last season and will likely be relied up on to take on the offensive load. One player to look out for is former three-star recruit Frank Booker, who transferred from Oklahoma after getting stuck behind Buddy Hield and a bevy of talented Sooner guards.
Bottom Line: Improving on last year’s conference win total of five should not be a challenge. Getting to .500 is a realistic goal for third-year coach Michael Curry and the Owls. Some continuity in the starting lineup with so many guys returning could be valuable. A big postseason run or first-place finish probably isn’t in the cards, but a return to respectability is a worthwhile goal.
Florida International
What to Watch: The Panthers return eight players and three starters from a team that won seven conference games a year ago. Senior guard Donte McGill averaged 16.1 points per game last season and could be one of the better scorers in the conference. Second-team all-star and all-defense team member Adrian Diaz has graduated. Hassan Hussein will return after missing most of last year with an injury. Two-star recruit Richard Bivens, a power forward, also joins the squad.
Bottom Line: The Panthers are one of many teams looking to jump from mediocrity to one of the top spots in Conference USA. While seven players of significance are returning, only McGill played more than 26 minutes per game last season. This team could be improved, but it’s hard to see Florida International climbing too far up the standings this year.
Louisiana Tech
What to Watch: The Bulldogs have lost quite a bit of talent from last year’s team, including Conference USA Player of the Year Alex Hamilton. Senior forward Erik McCree, who was a second-team all star in 2016, returns to lead the Bulldogs. Redshirt senior guard Qiydar Davis returns after missing most of last year with an injury. Six recruits, including two junior college transfers, join the team.
Bottom Line: This team is not as talented as it was last season and seems destined to take at least a small slide down the standings. McCree and Jacobi Boykins should both be solid for the team, but it’s unclear if the Bulldogs are totally equipped to make up for lost production. The Bulldogs shouldn’t be bad this season, but they’re not likely to replicate last year’s success either.
Marshall
What to Watch: Four starters return from last year’s 12-6 team. Senior forward Ryan Taylor, a third-team all star last year, should be among the conference leaders in scoring and rebounding. First-team all-star James Kelly is gone, but power forward recruit Phil Bledsoe has arrived. Jon Elmore returns after scoring more than 15 points per game last season.
Bottom Line: This is the best Thundering Herd team in years. Marshall has a legitimate shot to be the best team in the conference and will likely be among the top seeds in the post-season tournament. The offense should be potent as three guys who scored 10-plus points per game last season return. Third-year Coach Dan D’Antoni has done a fantastic job at turning Marshall into a legitimate contender.
Middle Tennessee
What to Watch: The Blue Raiders had a dream season last year. The team finished 13-5 in conference play, won the postseason tournament and upset Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament. Now for the hardest part: following that up. Only four major contributors return, headlined by third-team all-stars Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw Jr. Three-star power forward Davion Thomas should be a nice addition.
Bottom Line: It will be difficult for the Blue Raiders to top or even match last season, especially after losing three starters. The team has enough talent backcourt talented to score with anyone, but it’s not clear whether the depth will emerge. If just a few of the eight players whom the team has added can contribute consistently, this should be another fun year for the Blue Raider faithful.
North Texas
What to Watch: The Mean Green return almost everyone from last year’s squad with hopes of breaking free of the pack that made up the mushy middle of the conference standings last season. Ja’Michael Brown, Jeremy Combs, Deckie Johnson and J-Mychal Reese averaged more than 60 points per game combined last season. Keith Frazier joins the fold after transferring from SMU.
Bottom Line: North Texas has the capability of making a move to the top tier of the conference. The team is deep, experienced and talented, with fifth-year coach Tony Benford apparently having found his footing. Like most of the teams attempting to make the climb up the standings, the Mean Green will have to be able to beat some of the perennial Conference USA powers to have a chance at moving into the top five.
Old Dominion
What to Watch: The Monarchs are looking to make up for last year’s heart-breaking loss in the Conference USA Tournament Final. They have to do it without Aaron Bacote and Trey Freeman, who have since moved on. Returning are all-defense team member Brandon Stith and all-freshman team honoree Zoran Talley. The team also signed three-star recruit Xavier Green and brought in George Mason Transfer Trey Porter. BJ Stith, a former top 100 recruit nationally, will also join after transferring from Virginia.
Bottom Line: The Monarchs are losing some talent from last year, but are adding a solid crop of new players. It’s hard to bet against them after the consistent success they’ve had under fourth-year coach Jeff Jones. Getting back to the tournament final will be a challenge, but it’s a distinct possibility. This year’s success will depends heavily on how quickly the new guys can step in and contribute.
Rice
What to Watch: Some solid returnees and a strong crop of recruits should make for an interesting Rice season. The Owls bring back starters Connor Cashaw, Andrew Drone and reigning Freshman of the Year Marcus Evans. Additionally, Marcus Jackson is back after missing most of last season with an injury and Marquez Letch-Ellis returns after a solid year of contribution off the bench. Ako Adams, Corey Douglas and Tim Harrison are the team’s top recruits.
Bottom Line: Rice is among the litany of teams looking to rise up out of the ranks of mediocrity. The Owls have plenty of guys with experience and potentially the best recruiting class in the conference. Marcus Evans could be one of the best players in the Conference. If it doesn’t happen for the Owls this year, it will soon. The future is bright.
Southern Miss
What to Watch: The Golden Eagles won just five games in conference and eight overall last year. Little happened in the offseason to inspire the idea that this year will be much different. Three starters return from last year’s squad while Marcus Cooper joins the team at the guard position. After two years of self-imposed sanctions, the team will finally be able to enjoy postseason play in 2017.
Bottom Line: While the Golden Eagles might be eligible for the postseason this year, that might not mean much. It’s difficult to see this squad improving enough to make a difference come March, especially considering the lack of recruits in this year’s class. A worthwhile goal for third-year coach Doc Sadler might be to keep his team out of last place.
UAB
What to Watch: The Blazers will be under new leadership in 2016 as Robert Ehsan has been tabbed to replace Jerrod Haase, who left to take over Stanford’s program. The talent, however, remains. Aside from first-team all-star Robert Brown, everyone is back from last year’s squad. Forwards William Lee and Chris Cokley, along with guards Nick North and Dirk Williams should be the team’s top players.
Bottom Line: The Blazers should be considered favorites to finish first in the conference. The team is returning almost everyone from a 16-2 team that dominated the conference last year. The only thing left to accomplish this year is to make up for last year’s upset loss to Western Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. Barring injuries, there’s no reason this team shouldn’t grab an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
UTEP
What to Watch: Eight players return from a pretty good 2016 team, headlined by junior guard Omega Harris who scored more than 12 points per game last season. Sophomore Terry Winn was one of the conference’s top freshmen last year, averaging more than six rebounds per game. Matt Wilms returns after missing all of last season to an injury. Four-star shooting guard recruit Tim Cameron could contribute right away.
Bottom Line: If things fall into place, UTEP could be a contender. The team has enough experience, depth and potential recruiting home runs to improve on last year’s 10-win campaign. Much will depend on whether the team is able to replace the production of now-departed Earvin Morris and conference all-star Lee Moore.
UTSA
What to Watch: New Coach Steve Henson will attempt to start the rebuild for a struggling UTSA program. The Roadrunners won five games in 2015-16, just three in conference. On the bright side, seven contributors return, led by do-it-all guard who scored 16.8 points per game last year while also averaging nearly five assists and rebounds per game.
Bottom Line: No one should expect this team to compete right away. This team won’t be fighting for one of the top seeds in the postseason tournament, winning six or seven conference games would be an accomplishment. This year is all about growing and improving under a new coach in a new system.
Western Kentucky
What to Watch: The Hilltoppers have had a lot of turnover the past few years and as a result, don’t have many experienced players. Justin Johnson, who averaged 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season, will likely be relied up on to carry the offensive load. Transfers Que Johnson (Washington State) and Junior Lamomba (Providence) could step in and play right away.
Bottom Line: The Hilltoppers had a mediocre season last year, winning just eight conference games before upsetting UAB in the conference tournament. Losing six players from that team makes it seem unlikely the team will be able to improve on that win total. With improvements across the conference, it’s not out of the realm of possibility we see Western Kentucky slide down near the bottom of the standings.
Projected Order of Finish
- UAB (16-2, 26-7)
- Marshall (12-6, 17-16)
- Middle Tennessee (13-5, 25-10)
- Old Dominion (12-6, 25-13)
- Charlotte (9-9, 14-19)
- UTEP (10-8, 19-14)
- North Texas (7-11, 12-20)
- Rice (7-11, 12-20)
- Louisiana Tech (12-6, 23-10)
- Florida International (7-11, 13-19)
- Florida Atlantic (5-13, 8-25)
- Western Kentucky (8-10, 18-16)
- UTSA (3-15, 5-27)
- Southern Miss (5-13, 8-21)
*2015-16 finish in parentheses.
Player of the Year
Marcus Evans, So. G Rice
Rookie of the Year
Tim Cameron, G UTEP
All-Conference Teams
First Team
Marcus Evans, Guard, Rice, 6’2, 190, Sophomore
Erik McCree, Forward, Louisiana Tech, 6’8, 225, Senior
Jeremy Combs, Forward, North Texas 6’7 215, Junior
Chris Cokley, Forward, UAB, 6’8, 241, Junior
Reggie Upshaw Jr., Guard, Middle Tennessee, 6’8, 230, Senior
Second Team
Giddy Potts, Guard, Middle Tennessee, 6’2, 220, Junior
William Lee, Forward, UAB, 6’9 210, Junior
Nick Norton, Forward, UAB, 5’10, 170, Junior
Braxton Ogbueze, Guard, Charlotte, 6’1, 180, Senior
Donte McGill, Guard, Florida International, 6’3, 185, Senior
Rating the Recruits
Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders brought in eight new players this off-season. Power forward Davion Thomas was the big prize. The three-star recruit should be taking on big minutes for the sooner rather than later. Thomas is a lean 6’8, can rebound on both ends and can stretch the floor.
Old Dominion: The Monarchs added eight players to the fold, headlined by shooting guard Xavier Green. The three-star recruit has size (he’s 6’6) and is as good of a playmaker as he is a scorer. Former top 100 recruit BJ Stith joins the team after falling out of favor at Virginia.
Rice: The Owls’ seven-player class is led by a trio of players who should shine on the court for years to come. Ako Adams is a three-star recruit who can score consistently from the point guard position. Corey Douglas is an athletic two-star power forward. Tim Harrison is a three-star power forward who can score and defend by utilizing their tremendous strength.
UTEP: Tim Cameron might be the best recruit in Conference USA this year. The shooting guard is a four-star recruit who should be able to step in and play right away. At 6’4, 175, Cameron is strong in addition to being athletic. Scouts laud his ability to get to the rim and break through contact.
Don’t-Miss Games
Jan. 12 Western Kentucky at UAB: The Blazers will be looking for revenge early in conference play when they take on the Western Kentucky team that upset them in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA postseason tournament last year.
Jan. 14 Marshall at Old Dominion: Two of the conferences most talented teams face off in an early conference game that will likely reveal a good deal about each team’s potential
Feb. 9 Old Dominion at Middle Tennessee: In the Conference USA Tournament Final last year, the Monarchs fell just short of securing an NCAA Tournament auto bid, falling 55-53 to Middle Tennessee. The rematch is worth keeping an eye on.
Feb. 9 Charlotte at UAB: This will be an enormous test for the 49ers, who are looking to jump up into the upper rung of contenders in Conference USA. Taking on last year’s top team should be an important challenge.
Feb. 18 Middle Tennessee at Marshall: A late matchup between two of the conference’s best teams could play a huge role in tournament seeding in addition to being a final tune-up before the postseason.
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