We are just a couple weeks away from the end of the regular season as the CUSA Tournament in Huntsville is just around the corner. Let’s take an updated look at our Conference USA Power Rankings. These are based on games played through February 24.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty #104 (23-4, 15-1)
no change
The Flames have proven to be vulnerable in recent weeks, as they had won five straight by an average of 4.2 points. It finally caught up to Liberty on Saturday when Western Kentucky came into Liberty Arena and handed the Flames their first loss in over two months. How will the Flames respond?
This week: 2/26 @ Kennesaw State, 2/28 @ Jacksonville State
2. Sam Houston #107 (19-8, 11-5)
no change
The Bearkats continue to play really good basketball, and an argument could be made that they deserve to be ranked atop this listing. After seeing their seven-game win streak snapped on Feb. 7, Sam Houston has responded by winning three straight. They have their next two at home this week and can continue to put pressure on the first place Flames with a couple of wins.
This week: 2/26 vs FIU, 2/28 vs Missouri State
3. Western Kentucky #158 (16-11, 9-7)
4
Just like Sam Houston, the Hilltoppers make a case for being included in first place in these power rankings. They did in fact knock off Liberty and have now won four straight and five of their last six. WKU survived a midseason drought when they battled through injuries, but they appear to be a true contender to make a run in Huntsville.
This week: 2/26 vs New Mexico State, 2/28 vs UTEP
4. Kennesaw State #183 (16-11, 8-8)
1
The Owls found a way to fight back from a three-game skid, including two straight at home. They picked up a pair of wins this past week, beating Missouri State on the road and taking care of Louisiana Tech at home.
This week: 2/26 vs Liberty, 2/28 vs Delaware
5. Louisiana Tech #233 (15-12, 8-8)
1
The Bulldogs continue to hang around in the middle of the pack of the league standings. They have won three of their past five and look to pick up a pair of wins at home this week.
This week: 2/26 vs Missouri State, 2/28 vs FIU
6. FIU #197 (13-14, 6-10)
3
That five-game skid earlier during the conference season is really haunting the Panthers. They’ve played pretty good basketball outside of that stretch, but are in danger of missing the CUSA Tournament, especially with two tough road games this week.
This week: 2/26 @ Sam Houston, 2/28 @ Louisiana Tech
7. Jacksonville State #206 (13-14, 8-8)
4
Just a couple weeks ago the Gamecocks were 8-4 in CUSA play and looked like they would be in contention to grab the #2 seed heading into Huntsville. Since then, they have dropped four straight. Jax State will be looking to right the ship this week with a pair of games on their home floor.
This week: 2/26 vs Delaware, 2/28 vs Liberty
8. Missouri State #217 (13-14, 7-9)
4
It’s been a tough stretch for Cuonzo Martin and the Bears. After jumping out to a 7-4 record in conference play, Missouri State has dropped five straight. They haven’t won in the month of February.
This week: 2/26 @ Louisiana Tech, 2/28 @ Sam Houston
9. New Mexico State #171 (13-13, 6-10)
2
The Aggies dropped six out of seven but have answered with a pair of wins. That cold stretch has put them in danger of missing the CUSA Tournament, and they will be trying to pull an upset on the road this week.
This week: 2/26 @ Western Kentucky, 2/28 @ Middle Tennessee
10. UTEP #264 (10-17, 6-10)
2
The Miners went 3-1 before a pair of tough losses over the last week, first blowing a 10-point lead at home to Liberty before falling at New Mexico State by 4. UTEP has a tough stretch to close out the regular season as they are fighting for a spot in Huntsville.
This week: 2/26 @ Middle Tennessee, 2/28 @ Western Kentucky
11. Middle Tennessee #179 (13-14, 7-9)
1
The Blue Raiders dropped five straight, granted two of those were in overtime. They then found a way to scrap out a win at Kennesaw State before falling on the road to Western Kentucky and Sam Houston. MTSU bounced back with a win at home against Delaware on Saturday as they look to get back to their pre-losing skid ways. A couple of home games this week before ending the regular season on the road at FIU and Missouri State.
This week: 2/26 vs UTEP, 2/28 vs New Mexico State
12. Delaware #277 (9-18, 5-11)
2
The Hens have been hovering in or near the basement all season. Three straight wins had them pushing towards the middle of the pack before they dropped a pair this last week.
This week: 2/26 @ Jacksonville State, 2/28 @ Kennesaw State
