Busting Brackets
Fansided

Conference USA Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 16: Jon Elmore #33 of the Marshall Thundering Herd reacts after a three point basket in the second half against the Wichita State Shockers during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 16: Jon Elmore #33 of the Marshall Thundering Herd reacts after a three point basket in the second half against the Wichita State Shockers during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 16, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – DECEMBER 12: Trevor Moore #5 of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends against Xavian Stapleton #3 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half of a game at BB&T Arena on December 12, 2017 in Highland Heights, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – DECEMBER 12: Trevor Moore #5 of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends against Xavian Stapleton #3 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half of a game at BB&T Arena on December 12, 2017 in Highland Heights, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

14. Rice Owls

2017-18 season record: 7-24 (4-14)

Few mid-majors in all of the country have suffered as much attrition via the transfer market as the Owls, who just the season prior lost a pair of 20 ppg scorers to bigger programs. That happened again this offseason, with Connor Cashaw (15.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg) and Malik Osborne (9.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg) transferring to Creighton and Florida State respectively.
After finishing second to last in Conference USA, Rice looks to be in a similar position. They will get reinforcements with Pacific grad transfer forward Jack Williams and former four-star TCU point guard Josh Parrish. Junior Ako Adams also returns after missing most of last season with an injury. If one of them can become a leading scorer, the Owls can win multiple games in the league.

13. Charlotte 49ers

2017-18 season record: 6-23 (2-16)

It was a dismal season for Charlotte, who had their head coach retire at the beginning of the campaign. Former Virginia Assistant Ron Sanchez looks to change the fortunes of the 49ers. That’ll be hard without 15 ppg scorer Andrien White, who left for Wake Forest as a grad transfer. But All-Conference performer Jon Davis (17.6 ppg and 5.5 apg) will be back for his final season, which always gives them a chance to win games. His presence gives them a slight edge over Rice to avoid last place.

12. Florida Atlantic Owls

2017-18 season record: 12-19 (6-12)

Although they went 6-12 in Conference USA, FAU was a thorn in the sides of the top teams. That might not be the case with Renal Delph, Justin Massey and Gerdarius Troutman (40.8 ppg combined) all gone. That leaves key role players Jailyn Ingram and Anthony Adger having to become quality starters and lead contributors. The x-factor will be Xavian Stapleton, a 6’6 grad transfer wing from Mississippi State who shot around 40% from three-point range. He’s a talented player who with extended minutes could be a major pickup for the Owls.

11. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

2017-18 season record: 25-8 (16-2)

Losing the Conference USA Player of the Year in Nick King along with the program’s all-time wins leader in Giddy Potts was always going to hurt the Raiders but the unexpected departures of Tyrik Dixon, David Simmons and Antwain Johnson (dismissed) essentially forces a rebuild. Veterans Karl Gamble and James Hawthorne will get expanded roles, along with incoming transfers Reggie Scurry and Antonio Green. With head coach Kermit Davis gone to Ole Miss, the benefit of the doubt from the coaching staff isn’t around anymore.

10. UTEP Minors

2017-18 season record: 11-20 (6-12)

For a team expected to finish in the bottom half of the conference, UTEP fans are just as excited as those rooting for the top teams. That’s because new head coach Rodney Terry has dominated the transfer and recruiting markets, immediately elevating the program’s talent pool. Four-star point guard recruit Jordan Lathom will be one of the better ball handlers in the league in short time, while the bevy of transfers brought in will all be eligible next season. There will be some bumps with Omega Harris and Keith Frazier graduated but returning veterans Evan Gilyard and Paul Thomas should keep things steady in what’s basically a stop-gap year.