Busting Brackets
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Conference USA Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Brian Rauf

DAYTON, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Zachary Simmons #24 of the North Texas Mean Green pulls the ball away from Trey Landers #3 of the Dayton Flyers during the first half at UD Arena on December 17, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Zachary Simmons #24 of the North Texas Mean Green pulls the ball away from Trey Landers #3 of the Dayton Flyers during the first half at UD Arena on December 17, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 06: Taveion Hollingsworth #11 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 06: Taveion Hollingsworth #11 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Key players

Jhivvan Jackson – UTSA

Can I interest you in watching someone who ranks second in the country in scoring? Jackson is a gunner at 6-0 and has put up a number of ridiculous performances this season including 45 points on the road against Old Dominion, 41 against Illinois State, and 10 other games in which he scored at least 30 points. He’s capable of winning games by himself.

Taveion Hollingsworth – Western Kentucky

Hollingsworth has started all but one game for Western Kentucky in his three-year career and has been one of the best players in the conference throughout his career. Though a bit inconsistent, Hollingsworth has been on fire of late, averaging 23.8 points per game over the last six games – including a 43-point outburst in a win over Louisiana Tech.

Javion Hamlet – North Texas

Hamlet has emerged as the most consistent producer for the regular season champs, and that alone makes him one of the players to watch in the tournament. The junior has scored at least 13 points in each of the Mean Green’s last 12 games, with North Texas going 9-3 during that stretch. After a slow start to the season, his surge on the offensive end helped this group solidify themselves as one of the conference favorites.

DaQuan Bracey – Louisiana Tech

The lone senior on this list, Bracey received first-team All-CUSA honors thanks to his efficient shooting (44.5 percent from three) and solid production for one of the league’s best teams. He had 25 games with double-figure points, including 26 in a win over in-state rival Louisiana and in their recent victory at North Texas.

Jahmir Young – Charlotte

Young was named the conference’s freshman of the year after starting every game for the 49ers, showcasing the kind of all-around game that should make him a future star in the league. He does have a handful of really notable performances on the season, headlined by a 24-point performance in Charlotte’s upset of Wake Forest.