We move into February, the last full month of the regular season before the 2024 CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama. Here is our updated CUSA Power Rankings, based on games played through February 5.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Louisiana Tech #66 (16-6, 6-1)
no change
The Bulldogs had just one game this week but they certainly continued to look like the class of the conference. Louisiana Tech dominated FIU on the road, winning by 40 points. That’s certainly a head turning performance in this conference where it is so difficult to win on the road. Two challenging games for La Tech this week as they look to continue to cement their case at the top of the conference standings.
This week: 2/7 vs Western Kentucky, 2/10 @ Liberty
2. Sam Houston #179 (13-10, 6-2)
no change
The Bearkats have been trying to keep pace with Louisiana Tech, but they were unable to steal two road wins this past week. After an impressive upset at Western Kentucky on Thursday, Sam Houston lost at FIU on Saturday by 7 points. Another tough road challenge for SHSU this week in their only contest, a trip to Jacksonville State.
This week: 2/8 @ Jacksonville State
3. Western Kentucky #155 (15-7, 4-4)
no change
After La Tech and Sam Houston, a case could be made for just about any team to be next on this list of power ratings as no one has really solidified themselves. We give the nod this week to WKU. They split their two games this week, falling at home to Sam Houston before bouncing back with a 23-point home win over Middle Tennessee. The Hilltoppers have two tough road trips this week, beginning Wednesday at first place Louisiana Tech.
This week: 2/7 @ Louisiana Tech, 2/10 @ Jacksonville State
4. New Mexico State #229 (11-12, 5-3)
2
The Aggies toook care of business at home this week and currently sit alone in third place in the conference standings. They defeated Liberty (in overtime) and Jacksonville State (by 2 points) this past week. NMSU is a perfect 5-0 at home in conference play and have yet to win on the road, dropping all three so far. They have three straight on the road beginning with a short trip to UTEP on Saturday.
This week: 2/10 @ UTEP
5. UTEP #191 (12-11, 4-5)
no change
The Miners suffered its first setback at home in conference play on Saturday, falling to Liberty by 2. This game after a win over Jacksonville State on Thursday. The Miners host the Aggies in their lone game this week on Saturday.
This week: 2/10 vs New Mexico State
6. Jacksonville State #170 (11-12, 3-5)
2
The Gamecocks were on the road for two games this week and, like most of the rest of the league, Jax State was unable to notch a win, falling at UTEP and New Mexico State. This week, Jacksonville State hosts two of the better teams in the league. Can they hold serve and pick up two wins?
This week: 2/8 vs Sam Houston, 2/10 vs Western Kentucky
7. Liberty #107 (14-9, 3-5)
no change
The Flames finally got off the snide and picked up a win on the road in conference play. Now, Liberty will look to string together a few wins with two at home beginning Thursday against MIddle Tennessee and then a huge test on Saturday against Louisiana Tech.
This week: 2/8 vs Middle Tennessee, 2/10 vs Louisiana Tech
8. FIU #284 (6-15, 3-5)
1
After getting embarrassed at home by 40 points against Louisiana Tech to drop a fourth straight contest, it would have been easy for the Panthers to throw in the towel. That wasn’t the case though as FIU fought back from an early deficit to hand Sam Houston just its second defeat in conference play this season. Now, the Panthers will try to pick up a second straight win at home against Middle Tennessee.
This week: 2/10 vs Middle Tennessee
9. Middle Tennessee #287 (8-14, 2-5)
1
After winning two straight last week, the Blue Raiders were defeated by rival WKU, 88-65, on Saturday in their only game this past week. Middle Tennessee now hits the road for two straight beginning Thursday at Liberty.
This week: 2/8 @ Liberty, 2/10 @ FIU
