The college basketball season is preparing to take center stage as the new year begins and conference play ramps up. Here are our updated Power Rankings based on games played through December 30.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty #62 (12-1)
no change
The Flames concluded their non-conference slate on Saturday, Dec. 21 with an impressive win, 79-56, over UT Arlington. Liberty is 12-1 and ranks atop CUSA in all the major ranking services. Will that success translate over into conference play? We begin to find that answer this weekend.
This week: 1/2 vs Western Kentucky, 1/4 vs Middle Tennessee
2. Louisiana Tech #101 (11-2)
no change
The Bulldogs knocked off Grand Canyon to put an exclamation point on their non-conference schedule, going 11-2. The only questionable decision was a home loss by three to Southern. The other loss was at Memphis. Louisiana Tech should be back in the mix at the top of the league race once again this season.
This week: 1/2 @ UTEP, 1/4 @ New Mexico State
3. UTEP #141 (10-3)
1
The Miners have won 7 of out of their past 8 with their only loss coming on the road to Louisville by three points. Last year’s CUSA runner-up, UTEP is playing their best basketball, but they will certainly be tested this weekend on their home floor against Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston.
This week: 1/2 vs Louisiana Tech, 1/4 vs Sam Houston
4. Western Kentucky #116 (9-4)
1
The Hilltoppers are banged up a bit now and coming off a tough loss at Michigan, 112-64. That ended a winning streak of six. WKU still has won 9 out of 11 with the two losses coming to Kentucky and Michigan, both on the road.
This week: 1/2 @ Liberty, 1/4 @ FIU
5. Middle Tennessee #128 (9-4)
1
The Blue Raiders picked up a couple of nice wins in the non-conference over Cal Baptist and Lipscomb before taking No. 1 ranked Tennessee to a tough contest. MTSU led that game at halftime before the Volunteers turned it on to win by 18.
This week: 1/2 @ FIU, 1/4 @ Liberty
6. New Mexico State #199 (7-6)
1
The Aggies have won three straight and four out of five with the only loss coming at Texas. This came on the heels of a 5-game losing skid. Will NMSU be able to compete at the top of CUSA this season? If so, they would need at least a split this weekend on their home floor.
This week: 1/2 vs Sam Houston, 1/4 vs Louisiana Tech
7. Kennesaw State #213 (8-5)
2
Since their win late in November over Rutgers, the Owls have struggled. Granted, they haven’t played at home since that top 25 win, but they did lose 4 out of 6 before Sunday’s win over Brewton Parker. Can they rebound on Saturday at home against Jacksonville State?
This week: 1/4 vs Jacksonville State
8. Jacksonville State #153 (8-5)
1
The Gamecocks fared well against Missouri, falling by 11 before taking care of Eastern Kentucky by 11 in a nice win on the road. Jax State opens conference play at Kennesaw State on Saturday.
This week: 1/4 @ Kennesaw State
9. Sam Houston #137 (7-6)
1
The Bearkats have struggled to remain healthy this season and it is reflected in their record. Four of their losses have come against top 60 teams though. A tough two game road trip to open conference play awaits.
This week: 1/2 @ New Mexico State, 1/4 @ UTEP
10. FIU #251 (5-7)
no change
Throughout the several weeks, FIU has proven that they are no pushover in the basement of this conference’s power rankings. The Panthers have won four of their past five with the one loss coming on the road to East Carolina. They open conference play with two home games this week against teams expected to compete to be in the top half of CUSA, so we should get a good idea at FIU’s potential.
This week: 1/2 vs Middle Tennessee, 1/4 vs Western Kentucky
