Remember when everyone followed Conference USA because of programs like Memphis, who were regulars in the national rankings and always on our minds come March Madness?
Well, those days might be gone, but CUSA still has plenty in store for the country to follow, and it reminded everyone of that last season when UAB knocked off Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s our Conference USA Preview.
CUSA Champion: UAB Blazers
This was a group of freshmen and sophomores that knocked off the Cyclones last March, and now, they look like they might be ready to find a bit more consistency in conference play. Robert Brown is one of the best players in the conference, and he should be the spark for the Blazers.
CUSA Runner-up: Old Dominion Monarchs
Hard not to go with the Monarchs, since they have the league’s best player. Still, they’ll be right there in the conversation and have as good of a shot as UAB at taking home the conference hardware.
CUSA Sleepers: UTEP Miners, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Two teams who return such different rosters from a year ago. UTEP has brought in an almost entirely new squad, headlined by talented transfers, while the Blue Raiders are hoping to build on a season where their inexperience still netted them a .500-record in conference play.
CUSA Player of the Year: Trey Freeman, ODU
He’s the only player in the conference who could legitimately average 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game. If ODU unseats UAB at the top of the standings, Freeman will be the reason why.
CUSA Defensive Player of the Year: Adrian Diaz, USF
How about averaging seven rebounds and three blocks per game? That’s Adrian Diaz for you. If he played for a better program, one would think his name would ring a few more bells nationally.
CUSA Rookie of the Year: Paul Thomas, UTEP
A four-star junior college transfer, there’s a good chance that Thomas will be given the reins to the UTEP offense.
CUSA Coach of the Year: Jerod Haase, UAB
He returns all five starts from an NCAA Tournament team, and has a chance to keep ODU out of first place for the second straight season. Haase will be a mid-major name everyone is talking about by the end of next season.
