C-USA Hoops: State of the Conference
In this new basketball series, we’re going to present you with an overall look at Conference USA, its chances of an at-large bid in the…
In this new basketball series, we’re going to present you with an overall look at Conference USA, its chances of an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, and how the conference stacks amidst the rest of Division I men’s and women’s basketball.
If Conference USA is to be respected nationally, get better seeding in the NCAA Tournament, or (Lord forbid!) an NCAA at-large berth, every team in the conference must do their part. Every single team contributes to the strength of the conference: For example, when FIU, North Texas and FAU’s men’s teams were all in the 300s in RPI last season, they dragged down the quality of the conference.
Any win or loss by any team in Conference USA changes the overall RPI of the entire conference, so any upset by Conference USA, or a terrible loss, affects the chances of a C-USA team making a case for an at-large on some level.
Men’s Basketball
Conference USA men’s basketball looked as if it could be loaded for 2017–18. MTSU looked to be the powerhouse while UAB, La Tech, Marshall and Old Dominion all looked like they were going to improve. WKU made huge splashes in the offseason on the recruiting trail.
Now, most teams have played at least two games by now, so early on, every team is looking for opportunities to help itself later. Depending on strength of schedule, some teams have a better chance than others.
Each team’s schedule provides different opportunities. There are four teams in C-USA that would seem to have legitimate at-large chances according to their projected strengths of schedule: North Texas, WKU, MTSU and La Tech. How many of these could legitimately have a chance at an at-large? According to last year, MTSU.
In men’s basketball, Conference USA was ranked the 23rd best conference (of 32) in the country according to the RPI. It stands to reason that a conference so below average should not have a chance for an at-large. However, hope springs eternal, and several teams have enough firepower to create a conversation. Conference USA’s representative has won a game in each of the past three NCAA Tournaments.
How is the conference faring? So far, Conference USA has no marquee wins. WKU had a great chance against Missouri State and MTSU lost to Belmont. There are a few opportunities for C-USA to help itself, but they are few and far between.
Women’s Basketball
In complete contrast to the men’s side, Conference USA women’s basketball was 14th of 32 conferences in the NCAA in 2016–17. Ten of the conference’s 14 basketball teams were ranked in the RPI Top 200 last year, including MTSU and WKU, who were both Top 100 teams. It would seem MTSU and WKU are still the clear favorites to run away from the rest of the conference.
So far in 2017–18, Conference USA has seven teams without a loss. Middle has already beaten Vanderbilt and WKU beat #16 Missouri in their first game. The women’s teams in C-USA have taken on some significant competition and have come out looking pretty well against it.
Conclusion
State of Conference USA Men’s Basketball: Better but still not good
Conference USA men’s basketball looks like it should be deep and tough. Middle Tennessee will probably not run away as they have in recent years. However, there are very few opportunities for the conference to prove its value in the non-conference schedules. WKU, MTSU and La Tech are really the only teams with huge opportunities left to make a splash.
State of Conference USA Women’s Basketball: Excellent
I don’t know if the talking heads of Conference USA could have picked a better start for women’s basketball. The conference already boasts two wins against SEC opponents and are playing plenty of competitive basketball against good opponents. Half of the conference is still undefeated over a week into the season.
It will be interesting to see exactly how well the conference is doing once RPI rankings come out, but this start gives the conference hope for some at-large chances later in the year for a few of the elite teams.