SBNation ranks WKU 3rd in Conference USA

We are approaching the month in the calender in which the basketball season begins, but the predictions have been coming for a while, and today, SBNation’s Mid-Major Madness ran down how they saw Conference USA playing out in the Tops’ first year.

Picked at numbers one and two in the conference, you could probably guess, are Louisiana Tech and UTEP, and coming in at three are our Toppers, finishing above the likes of Charlotte, ODU (who were both picked to finish above WKU in the preseason coaches poll) and those pesky MTBR’s. Here’s what Jason Jones said in his rundown of the Tops:

"After finishing second in the Sun Belt last season, Western Kentucky joins Conference USA and immediately jump into the discussion as a contender. The Hilltoppers return four starters, led by Louisiana native T.J. Price. The 6’4″ wing led the team in points and assists a year ago and also grabbed 4.4 rebounds per game. WKU will rely on Price to lead them on both ends on the floor…the Hilltoppers could compete for a title in their first year."

Jones also gave mention and love to Trency Jackson as a guy who the Tops will need to be consistent (not that we didn’t already know that). What isn’t talked about is the depth the Tops are bringing to the season, which could very well be the biggest weapon WKU has in their favor.

Here is the projected order of finish in the article:

Louisiana Tech
UTEP
WKU
Charlotte
Old Dominion
Middle Tennessee
North Texas
Southern Miss
Florida Atlantic
UAB
Florida International
UTSA
Marshall
Rice

Do you agree with SBN’s ranking of the conference? What about what they had to say about our Tops? Let us know in a comment below, or on twitter @WavetheRedTowel.