OUTLOOK: John Calipari is gone and the Memphis Tigers are no longer the team
to beat, as Conference USA is wide open for the first time in several years.
After Calipari split for Lexington, the Tigers lost some of their heralded
recruits, to go with major losses from last year's club, leveling the playing
field for the rest of the league for the first time in a while. Memphis has
won the last four C-USA regular-season and tournament titles, but that string
will likely come to an end in Josh Pastner's first year at the helm.
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane now step in as the "team-to-beat", returning
several key players that helped the program reach the 25-win plateau last
season. Texas-El Paso welcomes some highly regarded transfers, to go with
several returning options, and that should have the Miners competing for the
league crown as well. Memphis still has enough talent to finish in the upper
half of the standings, as does Houston, which could be a darkhorse in the
race. Marshall, UAB, UCF and Tulane will need some new faces to help
immediately if any of them are to compete for the C-USA title, while Southern
Miss, SMU, East Carolina and Rice have too many holes to fill to be considered
challengers.
CONFERENCE CHAMPION: Tulsa
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1. Tulsa, 2. Texas-El Paso, 3. Memphis, 4. Houston,
5. Marshall, 6. UAB, 7. UCF, 8. Tulane, 9. Southern Miss, 10. SMU, 11. East
Carolina, 12. Rice
TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS:
TULSA - Under the guidance of head coach Doug Wojcik, the Golden Hurricane
have had great success, although they have gained little recognition because
of Memphis. Tulsa has appeared in the last two C-USA Tournament finals, won
the 2008 CBI championship and advanced to the NIT second round in 2009. The
team is coming off back-to-back 25-win campaigns and with four starters
welcomed back, Tulsa should be able to take the next step and punch its ticket
to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003. The lofty expectations
are due in large part to the return of the inside-out duo of Jerome Jordan and
Ben Uzoh. The 7-0 Jordan elected to return for his senior campaign and that
was good news for Tulsa and bad news for the rest of the league. The C-USA
Preseason Player of the Year, Jordan averaged 13.8 ppg and 8.6 rpg and was
among the top shot blockers around, with 2.5 bpg last season. As for Uzoh, he
gives the team stability at the perimeter and 6-3 guard can do it all,
averaging 14.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg last season, while recording 100 steals for his
career. Justin Hurtt, a 6-4 guard, gives the Hurricane another scoring threat
after posting 9.6 ppg last season, and 6-6 forward Bishop Wheatley (4.8 ppg)
rounds out the returning starters. Freshman Donte Medder, a 6-1 guard, is a
nice edition to the team and could even start right away at the point.
TEXAS-EL PASO - The Miners went 23-14 on their way to the final round of the
CBI last season, but they now must replace the conference's all-time leading
scorer in Stefon Jackson, who averaged a healthy 24.5 ppg in 2008-09. An
influx of highly regarded newcomers from major colleges brings excitement and
high expectations to the program and the new faces should give head coach Tony
Barbee a chance to win the C-USA title. Derrick Caracter highlights the
newcomers and the 6-9, 275-pound Louisville transfer is a strong interior
player that just needs to focus more to reach his potential. Christian Polk is
another new addition and the 6-3 guard averaged 12 ppg as a freshman at
Arizona State, so he obviously has the talent to be a big time scorer. Joining
Polk in the backcourt will be Myron Strong, a 6-2 guard that averaged 10.0 ppg
in his lone season at San Francisco. Jeremy Williams started his career at
Colorado, where he produced 7.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg, and the 6-7 forward is
expected to make an immediate impact like the previously mentioned newcomers.
While the new faces will certainly play a big part, the Miners do return some
talent of their own from last year's club. Randy Culpepper is a 6-0 guard the
can score from all over, averaging 17.5 ppg last season, and 6-6 Julyan Stone
is a playmaker that handed out 6.4 apg. Arnett Moultrie is another option and
the 6-11 forward is primed for a big campaign after posting 8.8 ppg and 8.2
rpg as a freshman last season.
MEMPHIS - John Calipari turned Memphis into a national power in his stay and
in the process the Tigers became an unbeatable team in C-USA. The Tigers bring
an incredible 61-game C-USA winning streak into the campaign, but don't expect
that run to continue now that Calipari, who took Memphis to a national title
game, has bolted for the Kentucky job. Josh Pastner, at 31 years of age, now
steps in for Calipari and he inherits a talented team, but one that lost its
top four scorers from a year ago. Expectations aren't nearly as high and that
could help the Tigers in their transition to a new head coach. Doneal Mack, a
6-5 guard, leads the returnees and he is a decent scorer (8.7 ppg), but needs
to improve on his shooting. Willie Kemp is another experienced player for
Memphis and the 6-2 guard is a better defender than scorer. Roburt Sallie is
another option at the perimeter, as the 6-5 guard netted 5.8 ppg and shot 47
percent from long range last season. Duke transfer, Elliot Williams is
eligible right away and the 6-4 guard adds depth to the backcourt. The
frontcourt is where Memphis must find some new blood due to the loss of
several key contributors. Angel Garcia is a 6-11 forward with potential and
6-9 JC newcomer Will Coleman also has a lot of upside. Wesley Witherspoon (4.0
ppg) is a 6-8 athletic forward that excels on the run, and 6-8 Pierre
Henderson-Niles could also be a factor with better conditioning.
HOUSTON - The Cougars have competed in the postseason four times in the last
five seasons and with four starters back from last year's 21-win club, they
are ready to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. Head
coach Tom Penders welcomes back two of the league's premier scorers in Aubrey
Coleman and Kevin Lewis. Coleman, a 6-4 guard, can score in a variety of ways,
averaging a healthy 19.4 ppg last season, and he is also a terrific rebounder,
pulling in 8.2 rpg. As for Lewis, he makes it hard for opposing teams to focus
solely on Coleman, as the 6-4 guard netted a hardy 18.8 ppg last season, while
proving dangerous from long distance, hitting 93 three-pointers. Zamal Nixon
(5.5 ppg) will also start along the perimeter and Desmond Wade will surely see
plenty of time after averaging 4.8 ppg and 3.4 apg as a freshman last season.
In the frontcourt, the Cougars aren't nearly as set, but they do return one
solid producer in Qa'rraan Calhoun. The 6-8 juco transfer turned in 10.6 ppg
and 5.3 rpg last season for Houston and will have an expanded role in 2009-10
due to the lack of experience in the frontcourt. Freshmen Kirk Van Slyke (6-8)
and Kendrick Washington (6-7) should compete for minutes right away.
MARSHALL - The Thundering Herd battled through injuries last season and tied
for sixth in the conference at 7-9. Four starters are welcomed back and head
coach Donnie Jones brought in some new talent, so expect Marshall to take a
step forward in 2009-10. Chris Lutz, a 6-3 guard, is the team's top returning
scorer after averaging 10.7 ppg last season and he is a solid three-point
shooter, making 37.4 percent of his attempts. Damier Pitts showed great
promise as a freshman last season, averaging 9.7 ppg and 3.2 apg, and the 5-10
guard figures to run the point once again. Fellow sophomore Shaquille Johnson
also had a solid rookie campaign, as the 6-3 guard chipped in with 9.6 ppg,
while showing aggressiveness on defense. In the frontcourt, Tyler Wilkerson is
now fully recovered after suffering a broken jaw halfway through last season
and that is certainly good news considering the 6-8 forward can score (10.4
ppg) as well as rebound (6.2 rpg). Cam Miller, a 6-8 Western Carolina
transfer, should help immediately and is a good long range shooter, while
Tirrell Baines (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) showed he could complete with the big-men
despite being listed at just 6-6.
UAB - The Blazers will field almost an entirely new team in 2009-10, as they
lost seven letterwinners and nearly 90 percent of their scoring and rebounding
from last year's NIT club. Head coach Mike Davis certainly has his work cut
out for him, but he did bring in some high profile players that will leave
their mark on C-USA at some point. Dexter Fields could be the best among the
new faces, as the 6-2 freshman guard was heavily recruited and could push for
a starting gig right away. Heath Gameren, a 6-6 Aussie, is another new face
Davis has high hopes for, and 5-8 Aaron Johnson (3.6 ppg, 3.6 apg) is the
team's most experienced player at the perimeter, having made 17 starts last
season. In the paint, Howard Crawford improved greatly last season, as the 6-8
forward netted 7.9 ppg after averaging just 2.8 ppg over his first two years.
Elijah Millsap, the brother of Paul Millsap, comes over from UL-Lafayette,
where the 6-6 forward averaged 9.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. He obviously has
experience, so don't be surprised to see him crack the starting lineup.
UCF - The Knights fielded one of the youngest team's in the nation last season
and this will be the case once again in 2009-10, with 13 underclassmen on the
roster. Head coach Kirk Speraw landed one of the top recruiting classes in
program history and those new faces will be counted on to pick up the scoring
lost by the departure of Jermaine Taylor, the C-USA Player of the Year who
averaged a healthy 26.2 ppg. Among the returnees expected to make a big
impact is A.J. Rompza. As a freshman last season, the 5-9 Rompza proved to be
a good ball-handler, dishing off 5.2 apg, and now with Taylor gone, he figures
to see a boost in his scoring average of 4.5 ppg. Fellow sophomore Isaac Sosa
will join Rompza in the backcourt and the 6-3 guard also gained valuable
experience last season, when he netted 8.2 ppg and made 57 treys. Marcus
Jordan (6-3), son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, and Nik Garcia (6-5) are a
pair of freshmen that should make an immediate impact. The frontcourt returns
one starter in 6-9, 230-pound A.J. Tyler, who played well down the stretch and
finished with 7.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Freshman Keith Clanton (6-8) is arguably
the best of the new faces and is expected to log serious minutes along side
Tyler.
TULANE - The Green Wave suffered its first losing campaign in three years
last season, finishing just 14-17 overall. Head coach Dave Dickerson's club
however, showed a good deal of potential and with three starters and nine
letterwinners back in the fold, Tulane should be vastly improved in 2009-10.
Heading the returnees is 5-10 Kevin Sims, who led the team in scoring (13.0
ppg) and assists (4.0 apg), while starting all 31 games. Kris Richard will
once again join Sims at the perimeter, giving Tulane a solid one-two punch.
The 6-5 Richard showed he could score, averaging 10.7 ppg, but he's more known
for his defensive abilities, ranking fourth in the league with 1.97 steals per
game. JC transfer Aaron Holmes (6-5) is a big time scorer that can help right
away, and 6-8, 225-pound freshman Keith Cameron is another new face with lots
of potential. Asim McQueen (6-7, 240) is a load in the paint and he started 28
of 31 games last season, averaging 7.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. He provides stability
to a frontcourt that lacks a scoring presence.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles lost three starters and 65 percent of their
scoring from a season ago, but head coach Larry Eustachy still has some
weapons to work with, not to mention some highly touted newcomers. USM went
just 4-12 within the conference in 2008-09, so it won't take much to improve
on that mark. R.L. Horton is the team's top returning player and 6-0 guard
averaged 12.7 ppg at the point last season. He is expected to move over to
shooting guard and that should help him become a more effective scorer.
Another reason for the move is the addition of Angelo Johnson, a 6-0 USC
transfer that is a terrific playmaker and will start immediately. The healthy
return of Sai'Quon should also help, as the 6-6 guard/forward averaged 5.6 ppg
and 4.8 rpg before missing the final 23 games with a broken foot. Up front,
Andre Stephens is welcomed back after posting 6.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg and the 6-8,
235-pound forward is a load. A pair of transfers in Daryl Arnold (6-6) and
Gary Flowers (6-8) should jump right in to help the frontcourt.
SMU - Now in year-four of the Matt Doherty era, the Mustangs are still looking
to turn the corner after stepping back and finishing just 9-21 in 2008-09.
Four starters do return for Doherty, so this could be the year the Ponies make
their move. The return of Paul McCoy is a big reason for Doherty's optimism,
as the 5-11 guard was one of the top freshman in the league last season,
leading SMU in scoring (13.4 ppg) and showing a wide variety of skills at both
ends of the floor. He will once again be joined by 6-1 Derek Williams, who was
a pleasant surprise that turned in 12.7 ppg and 3.5 apg after coming over from
the JC ranks last season. Mike Walker (4.2 ppg) and 6-1 Rodney Clinkscales, a
JC scoring threat, add depth to the backcourt. Inside, the Mustangs added JC
big man Myles Luttman (6-11, 230 pounds) to provide size and toughness. Papa
Dia (4.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Robert Nyakundi (6.2 ppg) both return to the
frontcourt, as does 6-9 Mouhammed Faye (9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), who was productive
last season, but needs to cut down on turnovers.
EAST CAROLINA - Despite the losses of their top two scorers from last year's
club that won 13 games, the Pirates enter the 2009-10 campaign with optimism
courtesy of some emerging talent. Head coach Mack McCarthy welcomes back one
of the top playmakers around in Brock Young, who ranked second in the nation
in assists (7.6 apg). The 5-11 junior can also score, netting 10.6 ppg, and
will be counted on to do more of that this time around. Chris Turner (3.1 ppg)
showed some promise as a rookie last season and will add depth to the
backcourt, along with reserve Jontae Sherrod (4.1 ppg). Freshmen Wakefield
Ellison (6-5) and Corvonn Gaines (6-4) should help solidify the backcourt. As
for the frontcourt, 6-8 Darrius Morrow emerged as a dependable target and
turned in 9.7 ppg and a team-high 6.7 rpg as a freshman last season. Jamar
Abrams is a gifted 6-6 forward with a nice touch from long range and he
contributed 10.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 2008-09.
RICE - The Owls took a step in the right direction in Ben Braun's first year
at the helm, although their 10-22 finish would hardly be considered
satisfactory. Still, Rice more than tripled its win total from the previous
season, while Braun started to build a foundation for the future. Connor
Frizzelle, a 6-1 guard, averaged 8.8 ppg as freshman last season and should
compete for double-digit points with a year of experience now behind him. Cory
Pflieger (8.2 ppg), a 6-3 guard, enters his fifth season and will be counted
for leadership and some more scoring, while 6-2 freshman Tamir Jackson arrives
with high expectations. Lawrence Ghoram has played a variety of positions and
the 6-5 senior has the ability to score, averaging 8.0 ppg last season. In
the frontcourt, Rice will also count on freshmen for some decent minutes,
including 6-7 Arsalan Kazemi, who is set to become the first Iranian national
to play Division I basketball. Lucas Kuipers showed a great deal of promise as
a rookie last season, as the 6-8 forward averaged 8.8 ppg before suffering a
season ending injury. Trey Stanton is another intriguing option at 6-10, 230
pounds and he recorded 8.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg last season, but needs to become
more active on the glass.
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