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Conference USA Basketball: 2022 conference tournament preview

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: The North Texas Mean Green celebrate after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 78-69 in overtime in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: The North Texas Mean Green celebrate after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 78-69 in overtime in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Conference USA Basketball Cobe Williams Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Conference USA Basketball Cobe Williams Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

First Round

No. 6E Florida International vs. No. 7E Marshall

Neither of these teams has inspired much confidence this year, particularly disappointing for a Marshall squad that’s typically in the upper echelon of the league. Marshall has lost three straight entering the tournament and lost ten straight at one point earlier this year. They’ve also lost both games they’ve played against the Panthers, though both were close.

Prediction: Marshall 71, FIU 64

No. 6W UTSA vs. No. 7W Southern Miss

Southern Miss has won just one conference game all season. In fact, it was their first Conference USA game of the year … at Texas-San Antonio. UTSA exacted revenge on the Golden Eagles later in the year, winning by 19 on the road. Southern Miss has generally found themselves on the wrong end of a blowout this season. Roadrunners guard Erik Czumbel is coming off the best game of his career, a 22-point performance in the win over Rice.

Prediction: UTSA 80, Southern Miss 68

Second Round

No. 4E Charlotte vs. No. 5W Rice

Charlotte has the benefit of having one of the conference’s best players, guard Jahmir Young, who’s averaging 19.8 points and 3.7 assists per game this season. The 49ers also beat Rice in their one contest this season, a three-point road victory for Charlotte. The Owls have really struggled down the stretch, losing seven of its last nine, with the lone wins coming against Southern Miss and Jarvis Christian.

Prediction: Charlotte 68, Rice 58

No. 3W Louisiana Tech vs. No. 7E Marshall

Earlier this season, Louisiana Tech crushed Marshall by 23 points behind 22 from guard Cobe Williams. While this one won’t be played on the Bulldogs’ home court, the talent difference between the two teams feels significant enough to predict another easy win for Louisiana Tech.

Prediction: Louisiana Tech 80, Marshall 65

No. 4W UTEP vs. No. 5E Old Dominion

UTEP is the top sleeper in Conference USA. Old Dominion is not. The Monarchs don’t have a great offense, averaging only 66.5 points per game. UTEP has one of the league’s best scorers (Boum) and should only give up an advantage on the boards and nowhere else in this game. Old Dominion could play the Miners close, but won’t ultimately win this one.

Prediction: UTEP 68, Old Dominion 62

No. 3E Florida Atlantic vs. No. 6W UTSA

Is Florida Atlantic as good as their record? Not sure. They quietly finished as one of the top three teams in their division, but they don’t have a dynamic scorer, outside of occasional bursts from Alijah Martin. Texas-San Antonio also feels better than their record. But it doesn’t seem like it’ll be enough to spring the upset.

Prediction: Florida Atlantic 70, UTSA 64