We are moving towards the end of non-conference play for men’s basketball and CUSA with conference play slated to begin this week. Let’s take an updated look at our Conference USA Power Rankings. These are based on games played through December 16.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Sam Houston #122 (6-3)
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Under head coach Chris Mudge, the Bearkats are showing promise early in the season. Their three losses have all been to P4 schools including a 10-point loss at Oklahoma State earlier this month. They rebounded with a win over Texas Southern and now prepare to play at Oregon State before opening conference play on the road this weekend.
This week: 12/17 @ Oregon State, 12/21 @ New Mexico State
2. Middle Tennessee #157 (5-4)
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The Blue Raiders got a nice win at home over UAB, 76-61, and lost to Belmont, 83-62. Now, Nick McDevitt and MTSU will open conference play Wednesday night at home against Kennesaw State.
This week: 12/17 vs Kennesaw State, 12/21 vs Cumberland
3. Western Kentucky #148 (7-3)
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The Hilltoppers survived by 1 at home over Evansville before falling at Marshall, 77-61. One last tune up for WKU out of conference when they take on Tulsa at home Friday night.
This week: 12/19 vs Tulsa
4. Kennesaw State #168 (8-2)
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Don’t look now but the Owls have reeled off four-straight as they head into their CUA opener at Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night.
This week: 12/17 @ Middle Tennessee, 12/21 @ Alabama
5. FIU #177 (5-4)
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The Panthers are off to their best start since 2021-22 as they won three-straight, all over Division I opponents, topped with wins over FGCU and Jacksonville. That win streak came to an end Tuesday night with a 98-81 loss at Miami. They look to continue their winning ways with a busy week.
This week: 12/20 vs Long Island, 12/22 vs Trinity FL
6. Liberty #113 (7-3)
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Prior to a win over Midway Tuesday night, the Flames had lost 3 of 4 including a 40-point setback this past week at NC State. Liberty has one final non-conference meeting this weekend at Dayton before opening conference play at FIU on Dec. 28.
This week: 12/20 @ Dayton
7. New Mexico State #134 (6-3)
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After starting off red hot with six straight wins to begin the season, the Aggies have cooled off and have dropped three-straight. They lost to South Alabama, Abilene Christian, and Tulsa since our last update. Head coach Jason Hooten and NMSU open conference play this weekend, playing host to Sam Houston on Sunday in what should be a very important lid lifter on the conference season.
This week: 12/21 vs Sam Houston
8. Louisiana Tech #178 (6-3)
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The Bulldogs have won four out of five including a win over Louisiana, 75-44, this past Saturday. Their only loss during this span was a 77-69 setback at Georgia Southern. A couple more games this week for Talvin Hester and La Tech before they open conference play at the end of the month.
This week: 12/17 @ Tulane, 12/22 vs Dallas Christian
9. Jacksonville State #257 (4-5)
no change
Things are not going well for Ray Harper and last year’s CUSA runner-up. They have lost five straight against DI opponents, including a loss to No. 331 georgia State this past Saturday.
This week: 12/17 vs Eastern Kentucky, 12/20 @ East Tennessee State
10. Missouri State #270 (5-5)
no change
Missouri State suffered defeats since our last power rankings, both on the road, at Tulsa and Xavier by an average of 21 points. The Bears were able to bounce back with a 63-62 win over Oral Roberts on Tuesday night.
This week: 12/23 vs Lindenwood
11. Delaware #268 (4-7)
no change
The Blue Hens are continuing to struggle, with three losses in their last five including an overtime loss at in-state foe and No. 354 Delaware State. Head coach Martin Inglesby and Delaware did pick up a nice 12-point win at No. 81 George Washington back on Dec. 10, showing they have some potential if they can put all the pieces together.
This week: Next game is 12/29 vs Missouri State
12. UTEP #226 (3-6)
no change
The Miners have lost four straight and all of their games this season against Division I foes. It’s their worst start under head coach Joe Golding and worst since starting 2-13 in 2016-17.
This week: 12/21 vs Norfolk State
