The competition: A look at Conference USA
Conference USA has recently been the whipping boy of the University of Memphis, champions and national powerhouses for the last four seasons. But with the Tigers' summer disintegration, the conference is more wide open than it's been in years. Here's a look at which teams have a shot at capturing the C-USA title this season, from best to worst. MEMPHIS: With ex-head coach John Calipari basking at Kentucky, Tyreke Evans turning in early numbers with Sacramento and Shawn Taggart toiling in obscurity, the Memphis Tigers' dominance atop the C-USA standings will be the shakiest it's been in years. Last year's scoring has gone out the window, but that just means the floor will be open to the talent Calipari brought in to ride the pine last year.
TULSA: After running to the National Invitational Tournament last year, Tulsa has the strongest chance of toppling Memphis from its C-USA throne. The presence of eight upperclassmen means the Golden Hurricane has arguably the most weathered team in the conference, and laughable early season competition could pad Tulsa's record enough to see it through to the NCAA Tournament.
UTEP: Guard Stefon Jackson was a terror with the ball last year, pouring in 24.5 points per game before leaving the Miners for Turkey after the season. The scramble for points should come from the paint, with second-year big man Arnett Moultrie, who nearly averaged a double-double last year, ready to take the helm.
HOUSTON: Tom Penders showed that he still has some magic left in his famed flop-top, taking the Cougars to a 10-6 conference record and an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational. Aubrey Coleman, who averaged nearly 20 points per game, will be looking to boost his draft stock as his senior year unfolds.
UAB: With 11 wins and a plus-6.4 scoring margin, the 2008-09 Blazers were a solid third-place squad. No more. Gone are the three scorers who averaged double-digit points, all of whom started, and questions about the backcourt have tailed UAB all summer.
RICE: After a seven-game improvement last season, Braun's bunch looks ready for round two, sporting the top recruiting class in the conference. But the Owls will need a year or two to gestate before they can have any real shot at fulfilling its postseason hopes.
SOUTHERN MISS: Don't let last year's eighth-place finish fool you - the Golden Eagles actually outscored their opponents last season. However, Southern Miss' two top scorers, Jeremy Wise and Courtney Beasley, are no longer with the program, which means that guard R.L. Horton, only a sophomore, will be the main cog of a strong offense.
UCF: Despite the efforts of Jermaine Taylor and his 26.2 points per game, the Golden Knights stumbled to a 7-9 conference record last season. With Taylor and his dribble-drive now departed, the Golden Knights will be lucky to match last season's wins total.
TULANE: The highlight of 2008-09 for the Green Wave was holding Memphis to a season-low 51 points in a C-USA Tournament loss, but the youthful team sputtered throughout the regular season. Fortunately for Tulane, Kevin Sims and his 13 points per game will return for a fourth season.
ECU: The good news: Three starters are returning. The bad: Those three are joined by only two other upperclassmen on the team. One of the youngest teams in conference, the Pirates could join Rice as the great unknowns in C-USA. Or, more likely, they could allow the most points in conference for the second year in a row.
MARSHALL: Last May, Marshall retired New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's number. (And presumably his mustache, as well.) The Thundering Herd, which went 7-9 on the season last year, will only have a shot if their guard-heavy roster can run-'n-gun like the D'Antoni teams of yore.
SMU: They have the height (7'1" Tomasz Kwiatkowski). They have the names (Nyakundi, Clinkscales and, again, Kwiatkowski). The only thing lacking? Any semblance of skill. Look for the Mustangs to gallop their way to the bottom of the conference once more.
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