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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OMAHA, NE – NOVEMBER 9: Jacob Holmen #1 of the North Texas Mean Green shorts over Doug McDermott #3 of the Creighton Bluejays during their game at CenturyLink Center on November 9, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. Creighton beat North Texas 71-51. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

First round of the Conference USA Tournament

No. 8 Louisiana Tech vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic

These two teams split the season series with Louisiana Tech winning by three just a week ago. The Bulldogs shot over 50% from three-point land in that game and DeQuan Bracey had 21 points. I think Louisiana Tech continues that momentum and moves on to the quarterfinals. Prediction: Louisiana Tech

No. 5 Alabama-Birmingham vs. No. 12 Middle Tennessee State

This may just be a 5/12 matchup but MTSU swept the season series over the Blazers, winning twice in a four-day span by a total of eight points. UAB is seeded fifth but they’ve had some strange results on the season in addition to their meetings with MTSU, including a loss to Charlotte. Guard Antonio Green had a big year against UAB averaging over 17 points per game, and in their last meeting, the Blue Raiders shot over 50% from the field and beyond the arc. This seeded matchup is a popular upset pick and I think the No. 12 pulls one off here. Prediction: Middle Tennessee State

No. 7 Florida International vs. No. 10 North Texas

Florida International won the season series with ease, winning both games by double digits. The Golden Panthers forced over 16 turnovers per game and allowed just 58 points per game, for a team that has given up over 80 per game on the season, this was a big difference. North Texas has had no answer for Golden Panther’s guard Brian Beard, Jr. who has averaged 23 points in the two games. I don’t think North Texas finds an answer in time, Florida International moves on. Prediction: Florida International

No. 6 Marshall vs. No. 11 Rice

These two teams met just once and Rice came out on top 74-69, but that was in the middle of a four-game losing streak for Marshall. Since then, the Thundering Herd has won five straight averaging over 88 points per game during the streak. Jon Elmore is Marshall’s leading scorer, in their regular-season meeting he had 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. During the last five games of the season, he has averaged 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists. It’s March and Jon Elmore is heating up. Prediction: Marshall