Didn't realize UAB was so experienced (thought you guys were pretty young last year). I do agree with braille though in that going from sub .500 to NCAA caliber is a pretty big leap, even in CUSA.

1. USM
2. LT
3. MT
4. Charlotte
5. UAB
6. Tulsa
7. UTEP
8. Marshall
9. ECU
10. FIU
11. North Texas
12. FAU
13. Tulane
14. UTSA
15. ODU
16. Rice

I feel like the top 5 could shake out any which way, and the same with the bottom 6 to be completely honest.

http://dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com/2013...e-usa.html

This conference is certainly up for grabs, I don't think there is a clear favorite (there was until UTEP's roster drama), so I will break it into tiers. I will look through the schedule and pick each team's record soon. Tiers are in alphabetical order, I'm not that educated on these teams yet (but what do you want to know about UMass & Temple??),


Tier 1 (RPI Top 75):
Charlotte: Finished .500 in the VERY tough Atlantic 10 season, had 7 Top 100 wins
Louisiana Tech: Only thing keeping me from naming them the favorite is the big jump up in competition they will have to adjust to.
Southern Miss: They just didn't have any impressive wins last year, can't crown them.
UTEP: Still have a lot of potential without Hamilton, but very little certainty.

Tier 2 (RPI 76-125):
East Carolina: Lost a lot from CIT team, will be able to rack up wins against bottom tiers though.
Middle Tennessee: Re-loading with JuCos I believe, I don't see that and the step-up in competition mixing well.
Tulsa: Probably the best team I don't know much about, sweep of UTEP last year is promising.
UAB: Have a lot of experience on the court, went 6-4 against returning members but a lot of teams came in above.

Tier 3 (RPI 126-200):
FIU: Was on right track with Pitino, hard to say which direction program will go without him
Marshall: I see them improving some, but not quite a contender
North Texas: Really underachieved last year, this program may have stalled.
Tulane: Can't see them making any kind of leap

Tier 4 (RPI 200+):
Florida Atlantic: Offseason has been a trainwreck for the Owls, in for a long year.
Old Dominion: Waiting and seeing how long it takes to dig out of the grave Blaine Taylor dug for Monarchs
Rice: Yup.
UTSA: Has been trending down since 2011 tournament appearence.

Honestly, I think anyone from your Tier 1 or 2 could probably win CUSA this year. Maybe not ECU now since they have lost two more players and have such little depth and so much to replace (although they still have some talent so I wouldn't say that they have no chance at all).

I also think Marshall could surprise and finish in the top 4.

(10-01-2013 03:36 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  I just don't see UAB making the leap from sub-.500 to NCAA team just through experience gained. The jump from junior to senior season isn't much gap. Blazers went 1-8 vs. RPI Top 100 last season, that needs to turn around a lot if they want to finish in the Top 4.

First, barely a sub .500 team. Second, the rest doesn't really apply because it's last year. Third, the Top 4 of CUSA this season isn't the caliber of previous Top 4 CUSA programs so making the jump from a sub .500 record to potentially going to the Dance truly isn't that big of a leap.

(10-01-2013 04:30 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 03:36 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  I just don't see UAB making the leap from sub-.500 to NCAA team just through experience gained. The jump from junior to senior season isn't much gap. Blazers went 1-8 vs. RPI Top 100 last season, that needs to turn around a lot if they want to finish in the Top 4.

First, barely a sub .500 team. Second, the rest doesn't really apply because it's last year. Third, the Top 4 of CUSA this season isn't the caliber of previous Top 4 CUSA programs so making the jump from a sub .500 record to potentially going to the Dance truly isn't that big of a leap.

Other than Memphis, I don't there will be much difference in the top four from last year vs. this year.

It's not like CUSA 2.0 was lighting it up.

(10-01-2013 03:54 PM)Niner National Wrote:  Didn't realize UAB was so experienced (thought you guys were pretty young last year). I do agree with braille though in that going from sub .500 to NCAA caliber is a pretty big leap, even in CUSA.

UAB was learning a new style of play last season. Now with a year under their belt and the transition period over, this team will be much improve. The Blazers do need to tighten up defensively and find a PG to run the team but I think the optimism is justified.

It's not like the Blazers finished 8 games under .500 last season. 16-17 overall record and 7-9 in conference so I am definitely not understanding this pretty big leap to finishing in the Top 4 or even winning the conference.

(10-01-2013 04:34 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:30 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 03:36 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  I just don't see UAB making the leap from sub-.500 to NCAA team just through experience gained. The jump from junior to senior season isn't much gap. Blazers went 1-8 vs. RPI Top 100 last season, that needs to turn around a lot if they want to finish in the Top 4.

First, barely a sub .500 team. Second, the rest doesn't really apply because it's last year. Third, the Top 4 of CUSA this season isn't the caliber of previous Top 4 CUSA programs so making the jump from a sub .500 record to potentially going to the Dance truly isn't that big of a leap.

Other than Memphis, I don't there will be much difference in the top four from last year vs. this year.

It's not like CUSA 2.0 was lighting it up.

Which is why UAB going from 7-9 in CUSA last season to potentially winning the conference title this year isn't a stretch or some huge jump.

(10-01-2013 04:30 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 03:36 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  I just don't see UAB making the leap from sub-.500 to NCAA team just through experience gained. The jump from junior to senior season isn't much gap. Blazers went 1-8 vs. RPI Top 100 last season, that needs to turn around a lot if they want to finish in the Top 4.

First, barely a sub .500 team. Second, the rest doesn't really apply because it's last year. Third, the Top 4 of CUSA this season isn't the caliber of previous Top 4 CUSA programs so making the jump from a sub .500 record to potentially going to the Dance truly isn't that big of a leap.

1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

I really don't know what to expect from us now. I felt very confident we would be a top 100 team / Top 5 CUSA team kind of as the floor until Armstrong quit. I could see us anywhere from about 75 to 175 now. Just a lot more unknowns.

I think Richmond is still a top 5 or 10 player in CUSA and the shooting we have keeps us from complete dredge level. I suspect Stith will have a chance at Rookie of the Year honors as well. He would have probably started anyway, but now he should have more offensive opportunities and responsibility. If he plays at that level we could still surprise. If he sucks, well probably suck.

(10-01-2013 04:55 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

1-8 vs the Top 100 RPI from last year certainly does not apply when determining who will finish in the top half of CUSA this year. Also, MT more than likely takes a step backward because they lost a lot. Charlotte couldn't shoot from the outside (just look at your shooting percentage from last year) and your recruiting class was subpar. La Tech return four starters and will compete in the top half of CUSA for sure.

And what the hell do the Top 150 has to do with anything?

I still think that it is too early to tell anything about ECU. They are young, but they have the framework to be pretty good. They have really good athelticism; they have slashers; they have a roster full of guys that can shoot the three. This could be a very fun team to watch play.

(10-01-2013 05:46 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:55 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

1-8 vs the Top 100 RPI from last year certainly does not apply when determining who will finish in the top half of CUSA this year. Also, MT more than likely takes a step backward because they lost a lot. Charlotte couldn't shoot from the outside (just look at your shooting percentage from last year) and your recruiting class was subpar. La Tech return four starters and will compete in the top half of CUSA for sure.

And what the hell do the Top 150 has to do with anything?

I dunno, those are the games you'll have to win to finish in the Top 4, just a hunch.


I'm aware Charlotte couldn't shoot from outside, I think we were further down the list in 3-point shots attempted than our awful percentage. Charlotte was also able to beat several good teams through defense and rebounding, we were just wildly inconsistent.

(10-01-2013 06:03 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 05:46 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:55 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

1-8 vs the Top 100 RPI from last year certainly does not apply when determining who will finish in the top half of CUSA this year. Also, MT more than likely takes a step backward because they lost a lot. Charlotte couldn't shoot from the outside (just look at your shooting percentage from last year) and your recruiting class was subpar. La Tech return four starters and will compete in the top half of CUSA for sure.

And what the hell do the Top 150 has to do with anything?

I dunno, those are the games you'll have to win to finish in the Top 4, just a hunch.


I'm aware Charlotte couldn't shoot from outside, I think we were further down the list in 3-point shots attempted than our awful percentage. Charlotte was also able to beat several good teams through defense and rebounding, we were just wildly inconsistent.

uhh, I don't think so. We were like 344th in three point shooting % last year. If 3 point shots attempted was lower, it couldn't have been by more than a few spots.

Also LOL at your reputation comments.

(10-01-2013 06:03 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 05:46 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:55 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

1-8 vs the Top 100 RPI from last year certainly does not apply when determining who will finish in the top half of CUSA this year. Also, MT more than likely takes a step backward because they lost a lot. Charlotte couldn't shoot from the outside (just look at your shooting percentage from last year) and your recruiting class was subpar. La Tech return four starters and will compete in the top half of CUSA for sure.

And what the hell do the Top 150 has to do with anything?

I dunno, those are the games you'll have to win to finish in the Top 4, just a hunch.

You need a better hunch for $200 Alex.

(10-01-2013 09:06 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 06:03 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 05:46 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(10-01-2013 04:55 PM)itsbraille49 Wrote:  1-8 vs. the Top 100 certainly applies, while there is no bang with a team like Memphis, at least 3 teams are coming in that were definitively better than UAB last year (La Tech, MT & Charlotte). Not to mention it looks even worse if I draw the line at the Top 150 (2-15) with an average scoring margin of -10.2 PPG. You're expecting a LOT of improvement considering that the contenders in this conference will all be Top 150 teams.

1-8 vs the Top 100 RPI from last year certainly does not apply when determining who will finish in the top half of CUSA this year. Also, MT more than likely takes a step backward because they lost a lot. Charlotte couldn't shoot from the outside (just look at your shooting percentage from last year) and your recruiting class was subpar. La Tech return four starters and will compete in the top half of CUSA for sure.

And what the hell do the Top 150 has to do with anything?

I dunno, those are the games you'll have to win to finish in the Top 4, just a hunch.

You need a better hunch for $200 Alex.

winning only 1 game against top 100 teams last year is pretty indicative that your team wasn't all that good.

Hell if we look at who you played that ranked 101-150, your record wasn't any better.

You were 1-7 against teams ranked between 101-150.

In fact, you had only 5 wins against teams in the top 200 RPI!

Good teams don't have records that look like that. If I were returning a team full of players that only won 5 games against teams that finished in the top 2/3 of college basketball, I wouldn't be very optimistic.

Maybe your new guys come in and crush it, but generally you don't see a huge jump from junior to senior year, so I wouldn't count on your returning seniors being dramatically better this year.

I remember last season in the A10 Saint Joe's returned their entire 20-win team from the season before and were predicted by Blue Ribbon and ESPN to win the conference or finish no worse than 3rd. They ended up finishing 18-14 (8-8) and tied for 8th in the A10. With an ugly loss at Halton, I must add.


I'm not saying UAB won't finish high in the conference. I actually think they'll be in the mix for the top spot. I'm just saying that returning your entire team doesn't always mean you'll improve from one season to the next.


(I apologize to my Niner brethren for using an example from the A10.) ha

Hey its just a discussion, We can discuss why someone else will finish higher or lower. Lol. Its nice to have a chatroom to have these type discussions.

I have no clue what to expect other than with Memphis out of the equation, there will be several teams in contention for the top. I anticipate that Charlotte will be in the top 5. They players we are bringing back are battle tested in a more difficult league and should be prepared for anything CUSA has to offer.