C-USA Basketball Preview 2021

Oct 27

Our C-USA basketball preview 2021 - 2022 observes that the top team in the East looks to be the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with the Marshall Thundering Herd and Old Dominion Monarchs in second and third. In the West, the UAB Blazers come into this season ready to move to the top of the division. They could very well take C-USA. But they’ll have competition from various teams, including the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and North Texas Mean Green in the West and WKU in the East.

C-USA Basketball Preview and Projections 2021 - East

1. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (21-8, 11-3)

WKU always seems to be competitive enough to contend for the Conference USA title. Although they’ve lost some of their top talent, the Hilltoppers do see guard Josh Anderson return for a fifth season. Additionally, DePaul transfer forward Jaylen Butz and top-100 recruit point guard Zion Harmon could be difference makers. Guard and All-Freshman Team member Dayvion McKnight has a whole lot of talent and, now, one-year of experience. Luke Frampton is a 40 percent three-point shooter. This team makes the conference finals a fourth-straight time. Can coach Rick Stansbury get them to the Promised Land?

2. Marshall Thundering Herd (15-7, 9-5)

The Thundering Herd are led by guard Taevion Kinsey, a First-Team All-C-USA selection and elite NBA prospect. Last season, Kinsey, averaged 19.5 PPG and 6.2 RPG. The potential C-USA Player of the Year and 55/41/89 scorer will need help, especially with Jarrod West transferring to Louisville. Freshman Chase McKey looks to have potential. This team will attempt to do damage with its fast-paced offense and hail of three-pointers. Still, this is a thin group. Head coach Dan D’Antoni has his work to do.

3. Old Dominion Monarchs (15-8, 11-5)

Our C-USA basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that coach Jeff Jones, who kept this team competitive last season despite numerous setbacks, has some decent tools to work with. Guard Kalu Ezipke is a fine outside shooter, while team-leader Jason Wade, a fine two-way player who’s missed important minutes due to injuries, needs to stay healthy. Inside, Austin Trice brings rebounding and scoring chops. Jaylin Hunter is a strong point guard candidate. Could these guys be a dark horse?

4. Florida Atlantic Owls (13-10, 7-5)

The Owls lose spark plug Jailyn Ingram to Georgia. Michael Forrest, an important sixth-man last season, could take over his guard spot. The point is commanded by shooter and premium assist-man Bryan Greenlee. This team, which is noted for being tough in the paint, needs to refurbish the frontcourt. Bitumba Baruti, who for the past two seasons has rotated in and enjoyed some starts, may be ready to step up. Still, important pieces are missing for coach Dusty May.

5. Charlotte 49ers (8-16, 5-11)

Our C-USA basketball preview 2021 notes that the 49ers regressed last season just when it looked like they might have the potential to excel. In the off-season, coach Ron Sanchez worked the transfer portal to restock his team. Key transfers include Austin Butler (Holy Cross), Musa Jallow (Ohio State), Robert Braswell (Syracuse), and Clyde Trapp (Clemson). Junior point guard Jahmir Young, who averaged 18.0 PPG and was a First-Team All-C-USA selection, returns to manage the offense. Brice Williams, a fine scorer and defender, is ready to break out.

6. Florida International Panthers (9-17, 2-15)

The FIU Panthers and head coach Jeremy Ballard took a few steps backward last season. Now, with key scorer Antonio Daye Jr. transferring to Fordham, they’re lacking a key offensive weapon. Returning combo F/G Eric Lovett and guard Tevin Brewer are essential elements. Guard Isaiah Banks will play an expanded role and asked to reach a new level of play. Transfers Clevon Brown (Vanderbilt) and Aquan Smart (Maryland) must contribute immediately. The Panthers are thin.

7. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (5-18, 3-13)

For the Blue Raiders 2016 and 2017, which were Tournament years, must seem light years away. In three seasons under coach Nick McDevitt, MTSU is 24-62. Last year, they averaged just 62 PPG (322nd). With Dontrell Shuler and Jordan Davis, the team’s two top scorers, gone, this season looks dim. Guard Jalen Jordan, a 49 percent three-point shooter, will need to score and lead a roster than has more questions than answers.

C-USA Basketball Preview and Projections 2021 - West

1. UAB Blazers (22-7, 13-5)

The Blazers return their three top scorers, including Second-Team All-C-USA guard Tavin Lovan. Last season, Lovan and guards Michael Ertel and Quan Jackson formed a trio of double-digit scorers. South Alabama transfer Tyreke Locure, who averaged 13.5 PPG, has great potential as both a scorer and passer. In the paint, center Trey Jamison can put points up and pound the boards. Last year was veteran head coach Andy Kennedy’s first at UAB. It was a good one. Expect even better this season.

2. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (24-8, 12-4)

Head coach Eric Konkol returns to the Bulldogs for his seventh season, and probably his sixth-straight 20-plus win year with LA Tech. Six-foot-seven forward Kenneth Lofton Jr., who last season was good for 12.1 PPG and 7.5 RPG, returns as perhaps C-USA’s best big man. He’s a fearsome inside player. Also, forward Isaiah Crawford and guard Amorie Archibald are go-to scorers. Athletic wing and leading recruit Terran Williams will likely see important minutes, while Incarnate Word and All-Southland transfer Keaston Willis adds more double-digit point potential to the backcourt. The Bulldogs are a major force and threat.

3. North Texas Mean Green (18-10, 9-5)

Our C-USA basketball preview 2021 - 2022 sees the Mean Green as rebuilding after a season where they took the C-USA crown and earned their first NCAA Tournament win. Although North Texas sees some talented players return, they did lose three key starters. This team is noted for being tough in the paint and avid defenders. With that in mind, returning forwards Thomas Bell and Abou Ousmane will be asked to command the paint. Also key is forward Jahmiah Simmons, who missed last season, and shooting guard Mardrez McBride. Plus, there’s new talent.

4. UTEP Miners (12-12, 8-8)

The Miners welcome new head coach Joe Golding. Golding, who led Abilene Christian to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the last three years, which included a 2020 upset of Texas, has talent to work with. Guard Souley Boum, who led the team with 18.8 PPG, is an offense generator while point guard Jamal Bieniemy offers stability and leadership. Transfers to watch include G/F Jorell Saterfield (Ranger College) and forward Jamari Sibley (Georgetown) The defense is solid.

5. Rice Owls (15-13, 6-10)

Expect the Owls to start their move up in the standings this season. Last year, they finished sixth, and fifth-place is certainly attainable for a team that features a collection of three-point sharpshooters. Four players who were double-digit point scorers return, including guard Quincy Olivari (16.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG). He and backcourt counterpart Travis Evee led a team in three-point attempts that had a 36 percent success rate. Guard Chris Mullins is an avid slashing scorer, while stretch forward Riley Abercrombie is a solid presence. First order of business, better D.

6. UTSA Roadrunners (15-11, 9-7)

Our C-USA basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that the Roadrunners, who had a premium backcourt last season, will be without this year. Replacing Keaton Wallace and Jhivvan Johnson, who together averaged 36.7 PPG, is a huge priority for coach Steve Henson. But near impossible. Freshman guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, who can sink threes, is the heir apparent. He comes in with a reputation for sound court management and decision-making. Center Jacob Germany can score and rebound. Better defense is needed.

7. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (8-17, 4-13)

Last season, the Golden Eagles lost a number of close games that this year they may win. This is a time for third-year head coach Jay Ladner and his troupe to make some gains. But can they? In 2020-21, the Southern Miss offense was ranked 319th in efficiency and 283rd in FG percentage. There is talent, including guard Tae Hardy, a sound scorer and defender, and forward Tyler Stevenson, a 51 percent two-point shooter and avid rebounder. Junior guard Jaron Pierre, a slashing point-maker who has huge three-point potential, could post breakthrough numbers this season.