2011-2012 College Basketball Conference Preview: Conference USA

In preparation for the start of the 2011-2012 regular season, we’re running a preview series here on Busting Brackets. You can check out all of our pieces in the series by clicking here. Our previews continue with a look at Conference USA.

CONFERENCE STRENGTH

Conference USA is a good conference. Let me repeat that: Conference USA is a good conference. Last season, this league had the 8th best RPI, an improvement from 11th the year prior. Seven of the league’s schools finished in the RPI top 100. However, the RPI rankings did not equal respect for the conference (as many pundits cry is unfairly the case), as only two teams, Memphis and UAB, were participants in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Many opined that the league’s coaches had tricked the system, by scheduling in a way that boosted RPI rankings, but did not truly reflect tougher schedules, which is one of the professed values of the system. Regardless, there is no question that the majority of the teams in Conference USA were not easy outs last year.

This season, the league will be even better and might just get some respect and a couple more tickets to the big dance. Memphis is the clear class of the league. Yes, we don’t know if the Tigers will live up to the hype; yes, we know coach Josh Pastner has not proven that his coaching prowess can approach that of his recruiting. But, Memphis won the CUSA tournament last season with a team whose core was made up primarily of freshmen. More importantly, the Tigers return almost all of that core and their entire starting five. After Memphis claimed the CUSA automatic bid, the Tigers lost a 77-75 thriller to eventual Elite Eight loser, Arizona. With a year more of experience for the young and talented squad, as well as for the young and talented coach, it seems only right to expect big things down in Memphis.

Though Memphis is clearly the league’s most talented team, they will be tested in this sneaky deep conference. Marshall, UCF and Tulsa will provide the toughest challenges. They are all talented squads that return key contributors and they should all contend for NCAA Tournament bids, as well as clip a few teams that come from BCS conferences. Teams such as UAB, UTEP, SMU and Southern Misss give the league true depth and will also make things harder for Memphis and each other. Conference USA will be respected this season.

HEAD OF THE CLASS

This was made abundantly clear in the previous section. If Memphis does not win this league, it will be viewed as a colossal fail. Pastner returns at least two first team all-league contenders and adds one of the best freshmen in the nation, in home town hero, Adonis Thomas. This could be the year that Pastner truly distinguishes himself as a star in the coaching ranks with the ability to accumulate and coach top level talent.

The more interesting race will be the race for second place. UCF returns four starters, to go along with talented newcomers, to a team that started last season 14-0 before crumbling due to inexperience and injuries. Marshall keeps the services of their two leading producers from a team that went 10-8 in league play last year. Tulsa lost its best player from last year, but kept the rest of its major contributors to a team that was 11-5 in CUSA last season. And don’t forget about Southern Miss., UAB and UTEP, who all have major question marks within their rosters, but also possess experienced coaches who have led teams deep into the NCAA Tournament.

By the time the conference tournament comes around in early March, it will not be a cake walk for Memphis, despite the fact that it is on their home court.

THE SLEEPER

Many expect this to be a down year for coach Mike Davis and UAB after the departure of CUSA’s 2010-11 Player of the Year, Aaron Johnson, as well as all-league performer, Jamarr Sanders. But, Davis has compiled a 107-57 record in his five years at UAB; and after returning the Blazers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time during his tenure, Davis is unlikely to accept a subpar season laying down.

Although it would be a total shocker if UAB were to win the conference as they did last season, it would not be a shock if they cracked the top four. The Blazers do return one of the best players in the league; 6’10 senior forward Cameron Moore. Moore averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds and a block and a half last year and was named second team all-conference.

While Davis will have to figure out his backcourt situation and rely on new players, it would be foolish to sleep on Davis’ ability to rise to the occasion and have his squad in the mix late in the season.

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

Will Barton (Memphis) – The Tigers’ most highly regarded recruit and perhaps, best player last year, led a balanced Memphis attack by averaging 12.3ppg, 4.9rpg and leading the team in minutes played. Barton and Memphis will be even better this year.
Joe Jackson (Memphis) – The Tigers’ “other” best player averaged 10 points and 3 assists per contest last year and took home the Conference USA Tournament MVP trophy. You should see a more mature, deliberate version of Jackson this year.
Marcus Jordan (UCF) – MJ’s son burst onto the scene last year to average 15.2ppg, 2.8rpg and 3.3apg. While he is not his father, or even “Baby Jordan,” he has become a leader and a very good all around player with a flair for the dramatic.
Arsalan Kazemi (Rice) – The 6’7 Iranian averaged a double-double last year (15 & 11). Kazemi continues to get stronger and better and will look to improve his own and his team’s numbers this season.
Cameron Moore (UAB) – Moore will be the focus of UAB’s offense this year and thus, the focus of opposing defenses. He removed his name from the 2011 NBA Draft and looks to display a more complete game this season.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Memphis – The league title is theirs to lose.

2. UCF – It’s a Jordan family affair this year, as Marcus’ older brother Jeff is eligible after transferring from Illinois. However, when people get over that, they will realize that coach Donnie Jones has a legitimate NCAA Tournament contender on his hands.

3. Marshall – The Thundering Herd seeks its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1987. The dream has a good chance of becoming a reality, on the backs of DeAndre Kane and Damier Pitts.

4. Tulsa – Coach Doug Wojcik has a very talented and balanced squad that should compete for at least a second place finish.

5. UAB – The Blazers lost a lot from last year’s league championship team, but still have Cameron Moore and Mike Davis.

6. UTEP – Tim Floyd will oversee a massive roster overhaul this season. However, Floyd has worked miracles before, so expect the Miners and their talented newcomers to surprise some people.

7. Southern Mississippi – Coach Larry Eustachy will also have to deal with mass casualties from last year’s team, but he’s confident that this year’s squad will be competitive. So am I.

8. SMU – Coach Matt Doherty may finally have something here, as he sets his sights on building on last year’s 20-15 mark. 6’8 senior forward, Robert Nyakundi will lead the deeper, more versatile 2011-12 roster.

9. Rice – Coach Ben Braun continues his quest to build a winner in Houston. He has two pillars in Kazemi and Tamir Jackson that can play with anybody.

10. East Carolina – Former UNC stand out Jeff Lebo brought some respectability to the ECU program with a solid first season at the helm last year. This season will be just as much of a challenge after the loss of some key contributors.

11. Houston – The rebuilding project continues for second year coach James Dickey. The Cougars will lean on a lot of unproven talent and hope to stay competitive.

12. Tulane – A new campus practice facility and new players to help Kendall Timmons and Jordan Callahan give Green Wave fans hope that they can improve on last season’s 3-13 conference record.

What are your thoughts on Conference USA heading into the season?

Want more college hoops talk? You can follow us on Twitter (@theblakelovell) and @Blacketologist, or check out our Facebook page for more college basketball discussion!