Favorite: Louisiana Tech

Although the top of the league standings featured four 13-3 teams and 12-4 UTEP, the Bulldogs are the deepest and most talented team. Even without dynamic junior scorer Raheem Appleby for 12 games of the C-USA slate, Louisiana Tech still finished 13-3 and tied atop the league. Appleby recently returned and played 16 minutes in the regular-season finale against Rice.

And if they lose?: Southern Miss

The Golden Eagles are incredibly balanced as their five leading scorers average in-between 9.6 points and 11 points per game. Although Southern Miss played Louisiana Tech without Appleby, they still own a win over them during the regular season.

Sleepers:
•Tulsa: Danny Manning has done one of the more underrated coaching jobs in the country as the Golden Hurricanes have won eight straight.
•Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders have won 11 of 12 and Shawn Jones is arguably the league’s best player.
•UTEP: Since losing three players to an FBI probe for gambling, Tim Floyd has rallied this team to a 12-4 conference record.

Studs:
•Shawn Jones, Middle Tennessee: League’s leading Player of the Year candidate can score or control the glass.
•Vince Hunter, UTEP: One of the nation’s most productive freshman, Hunter averaged 17.4 points per game over his final 15 games after averaging 12.5 for the season.
•Kenneth Smith, Louisiana Tech: The nation’s second-leading assist man (7.9 per game) drives the engine that makes the Bulldogs go.
•James Woodard, Tulsa: The sophomore guard has scored double-figure points in 23 straight games.

CBT Prediction: Louisiana Tech over Middle Tennessee


http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...he-league/

That ain't happening. I'm going with Tulsa vs UTEP for the Championship Game. I think UTEP's homecourt advantage will get them to the Finals and I still think people are sleeping on Tulsa.

When you win 8 straight I don't think you can continue to see Tulsa as a dark horse candidate. Does TU have lacks, of course everyone in this conference does. Tulsa has put together maybe one complete game this season. When TU does that a second time you will know it.

It's going to be fun to watch, any of those 5 teams can win it... Aside from me picking the Miners, I think Tulsa gets it done.

Until ODU is out I'll be rooting for whoever is left that'll be here next year. sorry tulsa, tulane and ECU.

Tulsa vs UTEP would be fun but I have to root for UTEP vs a remaining CUSA school. Ok ok I just care if UTEP makes it to the finals.

They really went out on a limb with those "sleeper" picks.

I know this is pretty homer to say but ODU can pull off some wins here if Batten gets his shooting together. Last year during the 5 win season, ODU beat UVA on a neutral court, and Batten was unbelievably hot from 3 that game....If everyone else does what they usually do and Batten gets hot from 3 this week ODU will be competitive with anybody.......one can dream right?!

I think UTEP wins the title though.....home court is a tough thing to overcome as I've watched subpar VCU teams win championships due to their 5 minute travel time to the tourney back in the CAA

I wonder if LaTech is still mad about being kicked out of the WAC Tourney last year by UTSA.... A #1 seed by a #7 seed if I am not mistaking.

(03-11-2014 07:44 PM)UTSAMarineVet09 Wrote:  I wonder if LaTech is still mad about being kicked out of the WAC Tourney last year by UTSA.... A #1 seed by a #7 seed if I am not mistaking.

Nope.

I can see us losing our first game as it's happened to us on countless occasions, but I don't see us losing to Tulsa again. We should have beaten them on their home court and we've only gotten better since then.

(03-12-2014 01:17 PM)MTowho Wrote:  I can see us losing our first game as it's happened to us on countless occasions, but I don't see us losing to Tulsa again. We should have beaten them on their home court and we've only gotten better since then.

I certainly hope we get past our first game. Our game with Tulsa was probably the second worst game we had all year. We could not hit the side of a barn and had open shots all night. I told someone then that that game may come back to haunt us.

I like our chances but I see USM meeting us in the finals. Two best teams in league right now.




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(03-12-2014 01:33 PM)MTtim Wrote:  

(03-12-2014 01:17 PM)MTowho Wrote:  I can see us losing our first game as it's happened to us on countless occasions, but I don't see us losing to Tulsa again. We should have beaten them on their home court and we've only gotten better since then.

I certainly hope we get past our first game. Our game with Tulsa was probably the second worst game we had all year. We could not hit the side of a barn and had open shots all night. I told someone then that that game may come back to haunt us.

We had one of our best players out for that game, rashad Smith is back and healthy.

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(03-12-2014 01:33 PM)MTtim Wrote:  

(03-12-2014 01:17 PM)MTowho Wrote:  I can see us losing our first game as it's happened to us on countless occasions, but I don't see us losing to Tulsa again. We should have beaten them on their home court and we've only gotten better since then.

I certainly hope we get past our first game. Our game with Tulsa was probably the second worst game we had all year. We could not hit the side of a barn and had open shots all night. I told someone then that that game may come back to haunt us.

Yes well we will see. Your team is capable of winning but I really like our chances to win the whole tourney. Good luck maybe you all can still lay claim to the flagship school of this Conf once we leave.



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