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Conference USA Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview, predictions

By Matt Melton

NORFOLK, VA - MARCH 06 : Conference USA logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Old Dominion Monarchs at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on March 6, 2019 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NORFOLK, VA - MARCH 06 : Conference USA logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Old Dominion Monarchs at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on March 6, 2019 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Crossroads Classic
Conference USA Basketball Charles Bassey Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

As in every conference tournament, the Conference-USA Tournament will see its fair share of star-caliber players as well. Not only are these some of the best players in Conference-USA, but these players have the potential to carry their teams in this tournament, as well as into the NCAA Tournament.

Charles Bassey – Western Kentucky

Undoubtedly the top player in Conference-USA, Bassey is one of the most dominant big men in the country and will be vital to Western Kentucky’s chances to win. Averaging 17.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 3.1 BPG, look for Bassey to be dominant, and to potentially carry the Hilltoppers into the NCAA Tournament.

Jhivvan Jackson – UTSA

The top scorer in Conference-USA, Jhivvan Jackson has the potential to carry a sleeper UTSA team in this Tournament. The senior guard is averaging 20.7 PPG on 48.3% shooting and has scored 25+ points in nine games this season. Jackson has been one of the top players in Conference-USA the past four seasons, and the experienced senior could take over for the Roadrunners.

Taevion Kinsey – Marshall

Another player capable of carrying their team, Taevion Kinsey could lead Marshall as a sleeper pick in the Conference-USA Tournament. Kinsey is averaging career-highs in nearly every statistical category this season with 20 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 3.1 APG on 54.2% shooting from two and 44.2% from three.

Souley Boum – UTEP

Souley Boum has taken his game to another level this season. Averaging 18.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.6 APG, Boum does it all for the Miners making him a must-watch player in this Tournament.

A few other players to watch in the C-USA Tournament include Charlotte’s Jahmir Young, Rice’s Max Fiedler, and Quincy Olivari, FIU’s Antonio Daye Jr, and Old Dominion’s Malik Curry.