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 27.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty #95 (17-3, 9-0)
no change
The Flames have clearly separated themselves as the team to beat in CUSA, with a current three game lead in first place nearing the midway point of conference play. Liberty has won 11 straight including its first 9 league games. Going back to last season, the Flames have won 14 straight against CUSA foes and 20 out of 21.
This week: 1/29 @ Middle Tennessee
2. Sam Houston #110 (13-7, 5-4)
7
The Bearkats are one of the hottest teams in Conference USA, having won four straight and five of their last six with the only loss being a setback at home to first place Liberty. Sam Houston continues to be one of the highest rated teams in the league in the computer models, including NET. Can they continue their hot play?
This week: 1/28 @ Missouri State, 1/31 vs Louisiana Tech
3. Missouri State #190 (12-8, 6-3)
no change
The Bears started league play at 4-1 before facing the gauntlet of four straight away from home. After dropping two at Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, Missouri State has responded with a road sweep at New Mexico State and UTEP. It looks like they will remain a player in the CUSA race.
This week: 1/28 vs Sam Houston, 1/31 vs Jacksonville State
4. Jacksonville State #206 (10-9, 5-3)
2
The Gamecocks fell at home to Sam Houston before bouncing back with two straight on their home floor over Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee as they have moved into a three-way tie with Missouri State and Middle Tennessee with three losses in conference play behind Liberty.
This week: 1/28 @ FIU, 1/31 @ Missouri State
5. Middle Tennessee #149 (11-8, 5-3)
3
The Blue Raiders were 4-1 in conference play and looking like the top competitor to Liberty, but they have dropped two of their last three, including just a one-point setback at Louisiana Tech. If MTSU wants to remain alive in the CUSA regular season race, they likely need to win at home Thursday night against the first place and unbeaten Flames.
This week: 1/29 vs Liberty, 1/31 vs Western Kentucky
6. Kennesaw State #166 (12-8, 4-5)
1
After starting 0-3 in conference play, the Owls responded with four straight wins to get above .500 in CUSA action. Now, Kennesaw is having to adjust to life without their leading scorer Simeon Cottle and have lost two straight, though both were on the road.
This week: 1/28 vs Western Kentucky, 1/31 vs New Mexico State
7. Louisiana Tech #241 (11-8, 4-4)
3
The Bulldogs have won three out of four, all of those wins coming at home, as they have evened their CUSA record. La Tech will now need to find some success away from home if they want to make a push into the top half of the league standings.
This week: 1/28 @ UTEP, 1/31 @ Sam Houston
8. Western Kentucky #176 (11-9, 4-5)
4
The Hilltoppers have dropped three straight including two on their home floor, losing to Kennesaw State and Liberty. They will look to end the skid with two more challenging games away from home this week.
This week: 1/28 @ Kennesaw State, 1/31 @ Middle Tennessee
9. UTEP #278 (7-13, 3-6)
2
The Miners have alternated wins and losses in their last six contests, coming off a home split with a win over FIU before losing to Missouri State. The Miners have two winnable games on their home floor this week, games that might be must wins if they want to remain in the conversation as one of the top 10 teams that will advance to the CUSA Tournament in Huntsville.
This week: 1/28 vs Louisiana Tech, 1/31 vs Delaware
10. FIU #183 (10-10, 3-6)
3
The Panthers stopped a five game skid by picking up a nice win at NMSU on Saturday, 81-78. Just one game for FIU this week, as they welcome Jax State to Miami for a mid-week clash.
This week: 1/28 vs Jacksonville State
11. New Mexico State #139 (10-9, 3-6)
3
The Aggies have dropped four of their last five including three of those losses on their home floor. This past week NMSU lost both of its home games, losing to Missouri State and FIU. It looked as though New Mexico State would compete in the upper half of the league this season, but they have struggled to be consistent. They opened the year at 6-0 but have gone 4-9 since then.
This week: 1/28 vs Delaware, 1/31 @ Kennesaw State
12. Delaware #298 (5-14, 1-7)
no change
The Blue Hens have now lost five straight following their loss at Liberty on Saturday. They do have two games in that stretch that were decided by exactly one and two points. It looks like Delaware will remain in the cellar of the league unless they can find a way to scratch and claw for a couple wins to compete to make the CUSA Tournament.
This week: 1/28 @ New Mexico State, 1/31 @ UTEP
