We have completed the first few weeks of conference play as the contenders and pretenders are starting to separate themselves.. Let’s take an updated look at our Conference USA Power Rankings. These are based on games played through January 13.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty #95 (13-3, 5-0)
no change
The Flames have had a tremendous start to conference play. Winners of seven straight, Liberty has opened 5-0 in conference play, including three wins on the road. The defending CUSA champs are looking to continue their reign atop the league standings with three of their next four games at home.
This week: 1/15 vs New Mexico State, 1/17 vs UTEP
2. Middle Tennessee #125 (10-6, 4-1)
no change
The Blue Raiders are aiming to stay within range of the Flames, winning three of their last four games including a win at New Mexico State on Saturday. MTSU had their only CUSA setback this past week at UTEP, falling by 3 in overtime.
This week: 1/14 @ Louisiana Tech, 1/17 vs Missouri State
3. Missouri State #207 (10-6, 4-1)
5
What a start to their tenure in CUSA. Under head coach Cuonzo Martin, the Bears have won six out of seven, including a 4-1 start to league play. Their only loss came last Wednesday at Kennesaw State. Now, we will see just how for real this year’s Missouri State team is as they have four straight on the road.
This week: 1/4 @ Western Kentucky, 1/17 @ Middle Tennessee
4. Western Kentucky #157 (10-6, 3-2)
6
The Hilltoppers have won three out of four, including a win at UTEP on Saturday, as they look to remain in the top half of the league race. They have a chance to make a push with three straight home games coming up.
This week: 1/14 vs Missouri State, 1/17 vs Kennesaw
5. Kennesaw State #169 (10-6, 2-3)
2
After losing four straight, including three to open league play, with all four away from home, the Owls have responded with a pair of wins on their home floor over Missouri State and Jacksonville State. They will look to keep up their winning ways at home this week against FU before hitting the road for three more.
This week: 1/4 vs FIU, 1/17 @ Western Kentucky
6. Jacksonville State #217 (8-8, 3-2)
3
It was a tough non-conference season for Ray Harper and the Gamecocks, but it looks like they will be a challenger in Conference USA once again. Jax State has been able to successfully defend their home floor so far this season in conference action and also stole a win at Delaware by 3.
This week: 1/14 vs Sam Houston, 1/17 vs Louisiana Tech
7. FIU #174 (9-7, 2-3)
2
Through the first five games of conference action, the Panthers have proven they are much improved from recent seasons and they should be a factor in this year’s league race. FIU is coming off two straight losses on the road at Jax State and Missouri State, and they continue to play away from home in three of their next four.
This week: 1/14 @ Kennesaw State, 1/17 vs Sam Houston
8. New Mexico State #141 (9-6, 2-3)
5
The Aggies started the season 6-0, but have fallen on hard times since, dropping 6 of their past 9 games, including 3 out of 4 in conference play. They’ve certainly faced a tough slate to begin CUSA, with road games at FIU and Missouri State as well as hosting three of the top teams in the league in Sam Houston, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee. Things won’t get any easier this week with a two-game road trip, begging Thursday at Liberty.
This week: 1/15 @ Liberty, 1/17 @ Delaware
9. Sam Houston #125 (9-7, 1-4)
5
The Bearkats had one of the better non-conference seasons of all teams in Conference USA, but they have struggled, going 1-4 at home. They did begin with their first three on the road, dropping all three, before splitting two at home with a loss to the Flames. They are back on the road this week for another tough road swing.
This week: 1/14 @ Jacksonville State, 1/17 @ FIU
10. Louisiana Tech #242 (9-7, 2-3)
4
The Bulldogs snapped a three-game skid on Saturday with an overtime win at home over Delaware in a game they trailed for most of the contest.
This week: 1/14 vs Middle Tennessee, 1/17 @ Jacksonville State
11. UTEP #276 (5-11, 1-4)
no change
The Miners have continued their struggles into the beginning of conference play, losing their first three, all on the road. They did pick up a nice win at home over Middle Tennessee in overtime this past Thursday, the only loss the Blue Raiders have suffered in league play so far.
This week: 1/15 @ Delaware, 1/17 @ Liberty
12. Delaware #267 (5-11, 1-4)
no change
The Blue Hens lost two games on the road this past week, falling at Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech (in overtime). They have also lost two at home, falling to Missouri State and Jax State, in their first two conference games. That may be a tough hole to dig out of as protecting your home floor is so vital in Conference USA.
This week: 1/15 vs UTEP, 1/17 vs New Mexico State
