Conference USA Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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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AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 21: Denzell Watts #1 of the UAB Blazers drives around Kerwin Roach Jr. #12 of the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on December 21, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

9. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2017-18 season record: 17-16 (7-11)

Even after losing talented scoring guard Jalen Harris early last season, the Bulldogs still managed to finish in the middle of the pack. That’s likely where they’ll finish again, with five players who averaged at least 7.2 ppg returning to the team. Leading scorer and rebounder Jacobi Boykins won’t be back, which limits LA Tech’s potential ceiling.

8. Florida International Panthers

2017-18 season record: 14-18 (8-10)

Another team hurt by transfers, FIU has to deal with the loss of Eric Lockett, who went to NC State. But the team’s best player Brian Beard (16.4 ppg and 5.7 apg) is back along with Trejon Jacob (14.5 ppg). If double-digit scorer Willey Nunez can be healthy, the Panthers could have enough talent to make a top-five run potentially in the league.

7. UAB Blazers

2017-18 season record: 20-18 (10-8)

All-Conference forward Chris Cokley is gone along with William Lee, leaving the Blazers without their lethal frontcourt. But the perimeter set of Zach Bryant, Jalen Perry and Nick Norton represents one of the better ones in Conference USA. They’ll get even more help with Cornell grad transfer Wil Bathurst, who missed most of last season with a torn labrum.

6. Old Dominion Monarchs

2017-18 season record: 25-7 (15-3)

Another team who loses their starting frontcourt of Trey Porter and Brandan Stith, Old Dominion will bring back the team’s two leading scorers of BJ Stith and Ahmad Carver, who each averaged 14.2 ppg. The rest of the team is filled with question marks but 7’1 LSU grad transfer Elbert Robinson could make things easier for the guards if he provides good post production.

5. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

2017-18 season record: 16-18 (7-11)

The team most likely to improve via the win/loss column should be Southern Miss, who returns the team’s top four scorers. Two of them (Cortez Edwards and Tyree Griffin) all First-Team All-Conference caliber players while Dominic Magee leads the team in rebounding despite his smaller statue. If the Eagles can shore up their offensive inconsistencies that occurred last year, they’ll be a contender for sure.