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Basketball Preview C-USA Memphis' reign over C-USA finally may come to an end this season, as some rising powers aim for the throne.
by By Jeffrey Martin, Houston Chronicle , The Houston Chronicle
Team on the rise: SMU
Four starters, including the backcourt, return for Matt Doherty, and that experience alone will make the Mustangs more competitive, certainly better than last year's 9-21 record.
Poised for a fall: UAB
When coach Mike Davis admits his team is starting from scratch on offense and defense and that how the Blazers' season unfolds will be "a mystery," that's not a good sign.
Top story lines
Can it continue without coach Cal? Will Memphis' stranglehold on the conference continue under new coach Josh Pastner? The rest of the coaches are saying the right things by deferring to the Tigers, but what else are they going to say? Expect a dip without John Calipari.
year of the Coogs? Can the football team's magic carry over to the hardwood? With two of the league's top players - Aubrey Coleman and Kelvin Lewis - returning, UH should be in the mix for the league title 1 A.C. (After Cal).
Big man, little school: Jerome Jordan is the preseason C-USA player of the year, and NBA scouts have racked up frequent-flier miles going to and from Tulsa to check out the 7-foot center. He's a certain first-rounder, maybe a lottery pick.
Key games
Memphis vs. Kansas
in St. Louis, Nov. 17
We'll quickly find out if the Tigers remain a force.
Jan. 9
If Memphis stumbles, expect one of these teams to emerge as the successor.
Feb. 3
Abundance of talent on display in this one.
Feb. 13
An ESPN2 game, and Pastner said the league is chasing the Golden Hurricane.
March 6
Don't be surprised if this regular-season finale decides the C-USA title.
Keep an eye on
C, Sr., Tulsa
Seven-footer changes the game on offense and defense.
G, Sr., Houston
Ultra-athletic guard is probably C-USA's most complete player.
F, Sr., Houston
Coleman's sidekick is armed with a potent jumper, and he's no slouch.
Randy Culpepper
G, Sr., UTEP
Little guy who likes the 3-ball.
Elliot Williams
G, Jr., Memphis
Duke transfer and former McDonald's All-American should boost the Tigers.
How they ?ll finish
1. Tulsa; 2. Houston; 3. Memphis; 4. UTEP; 5. SMU; 6. Marshall; 7. Tulane; 8. UCF; 9. Rice; 10. UAB; 11. Southern Miss; 12. East Carolina
the WoMen
Team on the rise: UCF
The Knights finished last season with an 11-5 league record, and behind junior forward Emma Cannon, they should be even better.
Poised for a fall: Southern Miss
Pauline Love is back, but replacing a pair of four-year players and a couple of other key parts will be difficult.
Top story lines
What can UCF do for an encore? Was last year, when the Knights won four games in four days to claim the conference tournament, an aberration?
Wide open: There is a perception among the league's coaches that the regular season, with so many returning players league-wide, is up for grabs.
Three in a row for Hughes? UTEP guard Jareica Hughes has won the last two C-USA Player of the Year awards, just the third time anyone has won multiple awards. Can she add another?
Key gamesUTEP at SMU
Jan. 15
A classic meeting between the Miners, the league's No. 5 scoring team last year, and the Mustangs, who had the No. 2 defense.UCF at UTEP
Jan. 24
Two of league's best players - the Knights' Emma Cannon and Miners' Jareica Hughes - do battle.Tulane at UCF
Jan. 31
The Green Wave should provide a stern challenge for the Knights.Houston at SMU
Feb. 14
The Cougars tested themselves with a rugged non-conference schedule, and we'll see if the strategy worked.UCF at SMU
Feb. 25
League's likely top teams clash for the only time.
Keep an eye on
Emma Cannon
F, Jr., UCF
Last year's C-USA tournament MVP is the preseason player of year.
Jareica Hughes
G, Sr., UTEP
Two-time C-USA Player of Year averaged 14.2 points and 5.4 assists.
Brittany Gilliam
F, Sr., SMU
Averaged 14.7 points and 2.5 steals, was named league Defensive Player of Year.
Courtney Taylor
F, Jr., Houston
One of only three players in C-USA to average a double-double (16.7 points, 10.1 rebounds).
Pauline Love
F, Sr., Southern Miss
Recorded 20 double-doubles in 2008-09, second-most in league.
How they'll finish
1. UCF; 2. SMU; 3. UTEP; 4. Tulane; 5. Houston; 6. Southern Miss; 7. Marshall; 8. East Carolina; 9. Memphis; 10. Tulsa; 11. UAB; 12. Rice
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