Toyminator's 2001-2002 Conference USA Preview

Once again, Conference USA expands to keep its delusional dream of being a powerhouse football conference alive, while simultaneously hurting its basketball roots! Ironically, it's when some of its legendary programs are coming back to life in Memphis & Louisville! Oh no, football is much more important, even though most of their teams suck and they'll never win a BCS championship! Anyhow, nobody really cares about basketball in cities like Cincinnati, Memphis, Louisville & Charlotte, do they? Nah, didn't think so!

OK, enough ranting. On to the teams! As always, the Bearcats of Cincinnati will be the team to beat. Despite the loss of PG Kenny Satterfield, they still have a ton of returning talent from last season Sweet Sixteen team. The one team that could upend Cincinnati is the rapdily improving Memphis Tigers. It hasn't taken John Calipari long to assemble a group of talented (even more so than Cincinnati's) players to compete nationally. Look out for prep phenom Dajaun Wagner to be the most publicized player in the country as he leads his team to many victories, only to watch him leave for the NBA after this season! Oh well, at least they got him for one season! Amongst the other teams, Charlotte, UAB and South Florida all have a shot at making the Tournament this season, assuming the conference as a whole doesn't get squashed by a poor RPI! Otherwise, just the Big 2 will probably make it1

ON THE RISE: Louisville
Just like last year's choice, Memphis, this is a no brainer! Snagging legendary Rick Pitino to succeed Hall of Famer Denny Crum was a major coup and desperately needed for a floundering program! Now the future looks bright with a number of top recruits joining the squad this season, and a few ready for next. Don't expect too much this season, but look for Pitino to have the Cards ready for a run soon!

IN DECLINE: TCU
First year in the conference and they're already going down hill? Well, the Horny Toads have been falling for awhile, but the move into CUSA will seal their fate! Billy Tubbs hasn't been able to corral the talent like he used to and thus, TCU isn't the exciting team it used to be. Look for them to struggle in conference play this season.

1. CINCINNATI

Strengths: Solid team defense. Good outside shooting team. Quick, athletic team. Limit their turnovers. Very deep & experienced.
Weakness: Little inside scoring. Poor rebounding team.
Outlook: This team came together by the end of last season and that should continue this season. If they could get more production from their frontline, they should be even better!

2. CHARLOTTE

Strengths: Good offensively & defensively. Good ball handling & distribution. Good 3-pt shooting team.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Little off the bench. Loss of White.
Outlook: Rodney White was a huge part of last season's success, so he will be missed. But there is plenty of good players left to make another run at the Bearcats!

3. MARQUETTE

Strengths: Excellent team defense. Good rebounding team. Good FT shooting team.
Weakness: Hole at SG. Poor ball handling & distribution. Lack of a scorer.
Outlook: Coach Crean's debut season was a success and it should continue this season. A NIT appearance should be in store!

4. LOUISVILLE

Strengths: Good ball handling team. Team quickness. New coach!
Weakness: Poor shooting & rebounding team. Poor team defense.
Outlook: The Cards were crap last season, so don't expect miracles from Coach P. On the other hand, they should be much more competitive and could make some noise in conference play!

5. DEPAUL

Strengths: Solid, deep backcourt. Good rebounding team. Big frontcourt.
Weakness: Horrible outside shooting team. Poor ball handling & distribution. Terrible coaching.
Outlook: This team was a MAJOR disappointment last season, so they can only be better, right? Yes, but not that much better considering they still have Pat Kennedy as their coach!

6. ST. LOUIS

Strengths: Excellent team defense. Good shooting team. Bigger frontcourt!
Weakness: Who's gonna score? Little depth, especially in frontcourt.
Outlook: Coach Romar does a great job with this team every year, but it's tough getting any respect! The Billikins will be tough as usual, but won't be more than middle of the pack!

7. EAST CAROLINA

Strengths: Deep backcourt. Good inside scoring. Good FT shooting team. Lots of experience.
Weakness: Poor shooting & rebounding team. Poor ball handling & distribution.
Outlook: Not a bad team, but easily the worst in this tough division!

1. MEMPHIS

Strengths: Big, talented frontcourt. Good rebounding team. Quick, aggressive defensive team. Solid backcourt. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: Poor outside shooting team. Poor FT shooting team.
Outlook: It's hard to look at their roster and not be scared. Lots of talent, even deep off the bench! The returning talent is good enough, but how good this team will be depends on their phenominal recruits! A return to the NCAA is certain though!

2. UAB

Strengths: Good team defense. Good rebounding team. Very quick team. Lots of experience and depth.
Weakness: Poor shooting team. Poor ball handling & distribution.
Outlook: The return of Ransom and the arrival of Bush gives the Blazers a solid starting 5. Add in a quality bench and this could be their best team in years! Definitely a sleeper pick!

3. SOUTH FLORIDA

Strengths: Jackson/Waldon combo. Aggresive team defense that forces many turnovers. Very experienced team.
Weakness: Horrible FT shooting team. Poor 3-pt shooting team. Little depth.
Outlook: Could win the division if they decide not to underachive. Probably will still do some of that, so about here is more likely.

4. HOUSTON

Strengths: Good rebounding team. Plenty of inside scoring. Good young talent.
Weakness: Pitiful team defense. Horrible shooting team. Poor ball handling & distribution. Little frontcourt depth.
Outlook: The Cougars are still looking for a breakout season, but with no luck so far. Probably won't be this year, but some big time transfers should make them a much more competitive team.

5. TULANE

Strengths: Good team offense. Lots of experience.
Weakness: Defense sucks! Very sloppy with the ball. Poor 3-pt & FT shooting team.
Outlook: Much more exciting team nowadays, but they still won't win too many games!

6. TCU

Strengths: Good shooting team that can light it up! Good ball handling & distribution.
Weakness: Horrible team defense. Poor rebounding team. Very inexperienced with little depth.
Outlook: A few talented players left, but not enough to make any noise in this conference!

7. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Strengths: Excellent team defense. Good rebounding team. Limit their turnovers. Deep backcourt.
Weakness: Struggle to score points. Thin, inexperienced frontcourt. Poor FT shooting team.
Outlook: I must admit...I have a hard time reading USM every year! Thus, I'm probably way off here, but I don't see them getting out of the cellar!

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Last updated on 10/24/01 by toyminator@prodigy.net