Conference USA Power Rankings Week 1
Conference play is here, and we are quickly learning who the contenders are and who will be done by the end of the month around Conference USA. Below you’ll find the first edition of our weekly power rankings.
(7-9). Previous: . UAB Blazers. 5. team. 2367. One of several good surprises out of the gate in Conference USA, and the Blazers are at the top of that list. They struggled mightily in non-conference play (but, to their credit, they had a fairly stout slate), but have rattled off wins over MTSU, FAU and FIU. Their next game is tomorrow against LA Tech, so we’ll see what they’re <em>really </em>made of.
MTSU Blue Raiders. 7. team. 2370. The MTBR’s also had a bumpy non-conference road – both in opponent stature and results – and it looked like C-USA play would start the same way. But, a sweep of the Florida schools has put them back into the swing of things and have a bit of momentum for the first time this year.. (9-7). Previous:
(11-5). Previous: . UTSA Roadrunners. 8. team. 2408. Chalk UTSA up there with UAB as a pleasant surprise. While no one thought they’d be top four or five in the conference, they played LA Tech close, losing by just four at the half, and have won three of their last four.
2399. This is where things start to get ugly. A five game losing streak to begin the year doesn’t help the struggles Rice has, and their schedule in conference play doesn’t get any easier.. (4-10). Previous: . Rice Owls. 11. team
2399. The Owls actually had a <em>ton </em>of success in non-conference play, finishing 7-4, but three straight losses to begin play in C-USA has them on a downward trend.. (7-7). Previous: . FAU Owls. 12. team
2385. The Golden Eagles can’t score or rebound and it shows, as they enter tomorrow on a six game losing streak.. (5-9). Previous: . Southern Miss Golden Eagles. 13. team
From now on, you can look forward to our rankings every Monday! Also, each team will come with a more detailed analysis – this week was just setting the stage. A full slate of C-USA games tip off tomorrow, so be sure to come back Friday morning for our Roundball Roundup scoreboard.