Conference USA Basketball: Wild conference tournament approaches

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 16: C.J. Burks #14 and Jon Elmore #33 of the Marshall Thundering Herd celebrate after defeating 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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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 23: Gino Littles /

Where will the Conference USA champ end up on Selection Sunday?

While the basketball may have not been the greatest, the CUSA has been one of the most contested conferences in the country. The conference is likely to be a one-bid league, but who wins the tournament could be any number of teams, as the 14-team league had 11 teams finish within three games of each other.

The top seed Old Dominion finished conference play at 13-5, winning the league by two games, but behind them, the conference was a mess. According to our Lukas Harkins, the Monarchs would be a No. 14 seed if the season ended today, and that aligns with others who dabble in playing selection committee. If Old Dominion wins the conference tournament, they would likely remain on the 14 line, as their resume isn’t strong enough to move up to the 13-seed line.

But with any number of teams with a shot at winning the conference tournament, where would these teams end up? If a team like Western Kentucky, Texas-San Antonio, Florida International or Southern Mississippi come away with the title I could see them on the 14 line, but a victory from the likes of Marshall, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Florida Atlantic, or UAB would probably find themselves as a No.15 seed.