The 2024 CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama is inching closer. Here is our updated CUSA Power Rankings, based on games played through February 26.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Sam Houston #151 (17-11, 10-3)
2
The Bearkats just keep winning. This past week, they picked up wins at New Mexico State and UTEP, two places that have been difficult for anyone to win at this season, to remain in a first place tie as we enter the stretch run. Sam Houston has two of its final three games at home sandwiched around a massive game at Louisiana Tech that could go a long way in determining the regular season title.
This week: 3/2 vs Middle Tennessee
2. Louisiana Tech #78 (20-8, 10-3)
no change
The Bulldogs got their big man, Daniel Batcho, back in the lineup after a brief, two-game absence with an apparent lower body injury. La Tech took .care of business on the road, like Sam Houston, picking up wins at UTEP and New Mexico State to keep pace with the Bearkats. A big test awaits this week at Western Kentucky
This week: 2/28 @ Western Kentucky
3. Western Kentucky #144 (19-8, 8-5)
2
The Hilltoppers suffered defeat in their only game this week, a two point loss at Middle Tennessee. That snapped a five game win streak WKU had entering the contest. Western looks pretty safe in the third seed slot entering their final three games of the regular season.
This week: 2/28 vs Louisiana Tech, 3/2 @ FIU
4. Jacksonville State #169 (14-14, 6-7)
2
The Gamecocks had dropped four out of five and 7 out of 9 before picking up wins ovr Middle Tennessee and at FIU this past week. JSU could very well finish 4th in the regular season as they face UTEP and New Mexico State at home this week before concluding the regular season at Sam Houston.
This week: 2/29 vs UTEP, 3/2 vs New Mexico State
5. Middle Tennessee #287 (12-16, 6-7)
no change
The Blue Raiders lost at Jacksonville State on Wednesday but bounced back with a nice win over rival Western Kentucky on Saturday night. MTSU has a very tough remaining schedule, playing at the two first place teams – Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech – while hosting Liberty.
This week: 3/2 @ Sam Houston
6. Liberty #120 (16-11, 5-7)
2
The Flames are now 1-6 away from Liberty Arena in conference play and 4-1 at home. Is it that simple? I guess we will find out as Liberty has 3 of its final 4 at home to close out the regular season. It still remains to be seen how that will translate over to the neutral site conference tournament where the Flames are 4-2 in neutral site contests this season.
This week: 2/29 vs New Mexico State, 3/2 vs UTEP
7. FIU #282 (9-19, 4-9)
2
The Panthers had lost 7 of 8 to fall into last place in the conference standings, but that was prior to them picking up a big win over Liberty on their home floor. FIU was unable to keep that momentum, falling by two against Jacksonville State in Miami on Saturday.
This week: 3/2 vs Western Kentucky
8. UTEP #209 (13-15, 4-9)
1
The Miners have lost four straight including two at home this past week against the two first place teams in conference play. Now, UTEP must hit the road for two straight, playing at Jacksonville State and Liberty.
This week: 2/29 @ Jacksonville State, 3/2 @ Liberty
9. New Mexico State #283 (11-17, 5-8)
1
It’s been five straight losses for the Aggies following their setbacks this past week against Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech. NMSU now faces two road challenges. They are 0-6 on the road in conference play.
This week: 2/29 @ Liberty, 3/2 @ Jacksonville State
