Wednesday, November 14, 2001
C-USA conference preview
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Teams listed in predicted order or finish, according to the preseason poll.
nbsp;
nbsp; American Division
nbsp; Charlotte
nbsp; Coach: Bobby Lutz (62-38, fourth year; 243-129, 13th year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Jobey Thomas (6-4, Sr., G) is the top returning scorer (14.0 ppg), a first-team all-conference pick and Conference USA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (236). He will pick up even more of an offensive load with Rodney White's departure to the NBA.
nbsp; Outlook: The 49ers have all the ingredients to challenge for a second straight NCAA berth and sixth consecutive postseason bid. In addition to Thomas, two other starters return (sophomore Demon Brown and senior Cam Stephens). Lutz's teams have gone to two NCAAs and one NIT in his three seasons, and he is 9-1 in the C-USA tournament.
nbsp; Marquette
nbsp; Coach: Tom Crean (30-28, third year; same overall)
nbsp; Key player: Dwyane Wade (6-4, So., G) has been talked about as the successor to Brian Wardle, the team's go-to guy in recent years. Wade sat out last season but wowed players and coaches in practice. One question: How rusty will he be after a season off?
nbsp; Outlook: The Golden Eagles return five of their top six scorers, but replacing Wardle will not be easy. He took the big shots and was the leader. Senior point guard Cordell Henry (12.9 ppg) could help fill the gaps.
nbsp; Louisville
nbsp; Coach: Rick Pitino (First year; 352-124, 16th year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Reece Gaines (6-6, Jr., G) is not just the top returning scorer (13.9 ppg) and last season's assists leader (98), he will be the team leader, as well.
nbsp; Outlook: No matter who is coaching, the Cardinals would be better than last season. With Pitino, there will be new energy, national attention and higher expectations. Freshman Carlos Hurt, the best of a top-10 recruiting class, and junior Erik Brown should help carry the scoring load.
nbsp; Saint Louis
nbsp; Coach: Lorenzo Romar (36-28, third year; 78-72, sixth year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Marque Perry (6-1, Jr., G) is the top returning scorer (10.1 ppg) and was the team's assist leader (107).
nbsp; Outlook: The Billikens lost four of their top five scorers, including Maurice Jeffers, who was also a defensive standout. They have no seniors for the first time in more than 70 years.
nbsp; DePaul
nbsp; Coach: Pat Kennedy (58-66, fifth year; 384-257, 22nd year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Imari Sawyer (6-2, So., G) runs the Blue Demons' offense, and last season he had the ninth-best single-season assist total in school history (179). He also averaged 11.7 ppg and may have to score more this season.
nbsp; Outlook: Steven Hunter and Bobby Simmons opted to turn pro early - the second consecutive year two underclassmen left for the NBA. All that has certainly taken its toll on the program. DePaul, predicted to finish second in the American Division, was the big disappointment of the league last season, finishing last at 4-12.
nbsp; East Carolina
nbsp; Coach: Bill Herrion (24-32, third year; 191-103, 12th
nbsp; year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Gabriel Mikulas (6-8, So., F) was the leading scorer (15.0 ppg), No. 2 rebounder (5.7) and shot a team-best 59.5 percent from the field last season.
nbsp; Outlook: The Pirates' 14 victories last season were their most since 1996-97 and they return their top seven players. Still, they are picked to finish last in the division, after making the jump from the Colonial Athletic Association.
nbsp; National Division
nbsp; Memphis
nbsp; Coach: John Calipari (21-15, second year; 214-86, 10th year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Earl Barron (6-11, Jr., C) is not the Tigers' best player, but if he shows as much improvement as Calipari contends he will, Barron will make Memphis even more potent at both ends of the floor.
nbsp; Outlook: This is a team with Sweet 16 talent. Kelly Wise (6-10, Sr., F) is a first-team all-league pick and player of the year candidate who averaged a double-double last season. Dajuan Wagner is perhaps the country's most heralded freshman.
nbsp; South Florida
nbsp; Coach: Seth Greenberg (74-73, sixth year; 179-143, 12th year overall)
nbsp; Key players: It's hard to mention Altron Jackson (6-6, Sr., F) without talking about B.B. Waldon (6-8, Sr., F), too. They are South Florida's top scorers and last season combined for 36 points and 12.1 rebounds a game.
nbsp; Outlook: This is an important season for the Bulls, who have not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1992 and did not even make the NIT last season with an 18-13 record. With solid backcourt play and inspired efforts from Jackson and Waldon, an NCAA berth might be within reach.
nbsp; UAB
nbsp; Coach: Murry Bartow (90-66, sixth year; same overall)
nbsp; Key player: Eric Bush (5-10, Jr., G) is a junior-college transfer expected to take over at point guard.
nbsp; Outlook: After going 31-28 over the past two seasons, UAB should be in position to make a run at a postseason bid. The Blazers could be one of the league's sleepers. Seniors P.J. Arnold and Eric Batchelor combined for 24.9 ppg and 141 3-pointers last season. Leading rebounder Will Campbell is also back (8.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg).
nbsp; Southern Mississippi
nbsp; Coach: James Green (87-63, sixth year; same overall)
nbsp; Key player: Elvin Mims (6-5, Sr., F) was team's No. 3 scorer last season (10.0 ppg) and No. 2 rebounder (5.4).
nbsp; Outlook: Southern Miss lost two key players, in Vandarel Jones and David Wall, from a team that shared the C-USA regular-season title with UC, went to the NIT and lost its first game. But 40 percent of the team's scoring returns.
nbsp; Texas Christian
nbsp; Coach: Billy Tubbs (140-80, eighth year; 579-282, 28th year overall)
nbsp; Key player: Bingo Merriex (6-8, Jr. F) is the top returning scorer (11.5 ppg), rebounder (4.8) and 3-point shooter.
nbsp; Outlook: The Horned Frogs are in their first year in C-USA after being in the Western Athletic Conference. They lost their top four scorers from a season ago, but expect Tubbs' club to be a high-scoring, fast-paced bunch. Last season, TCU averaged 93.6 ppg; the top scoring team in C-USA (Charlotte) averaged 78.3.
nbsp; Houston
nbsp; Coach: Ray McCallum (9-20, second year; 133-96, ninth year overall)
nbsp; Key player: George Williams (6-8, Jr., F) led the Cougars in scoring (13.5 ppg) and was second in rebounding (7.3) last season. He shot 50.7 percent from the field.
nbsp; Outlook: Houston returns four starters and will be better than last season. Alton Ford turned pro after one season, but he wasn't exactly dominant. Dominic Smith, who led the league in steals, and Patrick Okafor, who was C-USA's best offensive rebounder, are back.
nbsp; Tulane
nbsp; Coach: Shawn Finney (9-21, second year; same overall)
nbsp; Key player: Brandon Spann (6-1, Jr., G) led the team in assists (145) and 3-pointers (62) last season and is the top returning scorer (15.9 ppg).
nbsp; Outlook: The Green Wave should be improved but might not have much to show for it. They lost only one contributing player (Ledaryl Billingsley) from a team that had just seven scholarship players.
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