We are about a month into conference play and we are starting to get a feel for who is a contender and who is a pretender. Conference USA is one of the more balanced and deepest leagues in the country with the top eight teams currently separated by just two games in the conference standings as we approach the mid-point of conference play. Here are our updated Power Rankings based on games played through January 26.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Jacksonville State #138 (13-7, 5-2)
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After finishing 8th in their first year in CUSA and being picked to finish in that same spot this season, not many around the league expected much out of the Gamecocks this season. Jax State opened conference play at 1-2 and looked like they would be in the bottom half of the league standings once again. That has all changed since our last power rankings update as Ray Harper’s squad has won four straight, including sweeping the trip west to UTEP and New Mexico State. Not sure many teams, if any, will accomplish that feat this year. Wichita State transfer Jaron Pierre leads the way for the Gamecocks, averaging 21.2 points per game. They now look to protect home court and remain atop the conference standings.
This week: 1/30 vs FIU, 2/1 vs Liberty
2. UTEP #157 (15-5, 5-2)
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If it wasn’t for Jax State, we’d all be talking about the great season the Miners are having. They have won 9 of their past 11 games with the only losses coming to New Mexico State and the aforementioned Gamecocks. Joe Golding’s team is once again one of the top teams in the country in forcing turnovers and their balanced scoring attack is able to put them in position to win most nights. A tough two-game road trip awaits this week.
This week: 1/30 @ Western Kentucky, 2/1 @ Middle Tennessee
3. Middle Tennessee #106 (14-6, 5-2)
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Winners of four straight, the Blue Raiders went to Ruston, Louisiana on Saturday looking to remain alone in first place in the conference. Like everyone else in conference play so far this season, that wasn’t the case as Middle Tennessee saw its four-game win streak snapped in a six-point loss. Nick McDevitt’s squad looks like it will compete at the top of the conference standings this season and will look to cement that claim at home this week.
This week: 1/30 vs New Mexico State, 2/1 vs UTEP
4. Kennesaw State #168 (12-8, 4-3)
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League newcomer Kennesaw State has been hard to get a read on this season. It’s understandable as they have three freshmen in their starting lineup including Adrian Wooley who is averaging 18.1 points per game. The Owls are a perfect 9-0 at home and began the season 0-5 in road games before pulling off the upset in the come from behind win at New Mexico State this past Thursday. That win has put Kennesaw in the mix of league leaders as they look to continue to take care of business at home with two games this week, the first of four straight on their home floor.
This week: 1/30 vs Liberty, 2/1 vs FIU
5. Liberty #71 (16-4, 4-3)
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The computer rankings love the Flames as Liberty continues to be ranked as the best team in Conference USA. Three losses in conference play by a combined eight points has Liberty at 4-3 thus far. The Flames picked up an impressive, 82-59, win at FIU over the weekend and will look to keep that momentum going with two more on the road this week.
This week: 1/30 @ Kennesaw State, 2/1 @ Jacksonville State
6. Louisiana Tech #113 (15-6, 4-4)
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The Bulldogs were expected to compete for the regular season title this season, but they have been unable to put it all together on the road. Louisiana Tech has won all four league games at home but also dropped its four road contests in conference play. They will have to figure out a way to steal a couple on the road while also protecting home court to push towards the top of the league standings.
This week: 2/1 vs Sam Houston
7. Western Kentucky #130 (12-8, 3-4)
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The Hilltoppers had dropped four out of five before picking up a much needed win on the road at Sam Houston on Saturday. It keeps Western alive in the championship race as they continue to play without big man Babacar Faye. WKU is at home this week against UTEP and New Mexico State.
This week: 1/30 vs UTEP, 2/1 vs New Mexico State
8. New Mexico State #156 (11-9, 4-3)
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The Aggies were the surprise of the first couple weeks of conference play and vaulted all the way to the top of these power rankings after winning seven straight and opened CUSA play at 4-0. Sitting alone atop the conference standings, that streak ended at Liberty, falling 68-60. NMSU has now lost three straight including two at home this past week to Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State. The Aggies will look to stop the skid with a tough road trip this week beginning at Middle Tennessee on Thursday.
This week: 1/30 @ Middle Tennessee, 2/1 @ Western Kentucky
9. Sam Houston #181 (8-13, 1-7)
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The Bearkats were picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason and just four points behind preseason fave Louisiana Tech. Things haven’t worked out that way so far for Sam Houston as they have dropped four straight and are just 1-7 in conference play with their only win coming at home against FIU. It doesn’t get any easier in this league as the Bearkats now hit the road for three straight including this Saturday at Louisiana Tech.
This week: 2/1 @ Louisiana Tech
10. FIU #251 (7-13, 1-6)
no change
It looks like FIU is destined for one of the four spots in the play-in round of the CUSA Tournament in Huntsville as they have dropped five straight including three straight on their home floor. The Panthers have been competitive in several of them, with four of their league losses coming by single digits.
This week: 1/30 @ Jacksonville State, 2/1 @ Kennesaw State
