We have entered the final week of the regular season with the 2024 CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama beginning in just one week. Here is our updated CUSA Power Rankings, based on games played through March 4.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Sam Houston #155 (18-11, 11-3)
no change
The Bearkats took care of business this week, defeating Middle Tennessee at home in a game that was televised on ESPNU Saturday night. This sets up a big week for Sam Houston, beginning Thursday night at Louisiana Tech in a game that will likely determine who is the regular season champion and #1 seed in next week’s conference tournament.
This week: 3/7 @ Louisiana Tech, 3/9 vs Jacksonville State
2. Louisiana Tech #83 (21-8, 11-3)
no change
The Bulldogs picked up a big win at Western Kentucky this past week, and now they conclude the regular season with two home contests this week. Thursday night’s game against Sam Houston will likely determine the regular season crown.
This week: 3/7 vs Sam Houston, 3/9 vs Middle Tennessee
3. UTEP #179 (15-15, 6-9)
5
What a week for the Miners. They entered it having not won a road game all season and exited the week with a perfect 2-0 record on the road, picking up wins at Jacksonville State and Liberty. Now, UTEP concludes the regular season at home against FIU this week. It looked like they were headed for the 8/9 game, now a win over the Panthers and they will certainly miss that and could end up being the higher seeded team in the quarterfinal round.
This week: 3/7 vs FIU
4. FIU #281 (10-19, 5-9)
3
The Panthers knocked off WKU at home on Saturday, giving them hope of moving out of the basement and missing the play-in game. Now, they need to find a way to have some success on the road this week to stay out of that 8/9 game.
This week: 3/7 @ UTEP, 3/9 @ New Mexico State
5. Liberty #126 (17-12, 6-8)
1
The Flames missed a prime opportunity to gain some momentum and move towards the #3 seed with a loss Saturday at home to UTEP. It ended the week with a split after defeating New Mexico State earlier in the week. Now, Liberty heads to the road at MTSU on Tuesday before closing out hte regular season against Western Kentucky. A 2-0 mark would put the Flames at the 3-seed while anything else could have Liberty sweating out some tiebreakers.
This week: 3/5 @ Middle Tennessee, 3/9 vs Western Kentucky
6. Western Kentucky #150 (19-10, 8-7)
3
The Hilltoppers looked assured of a top three finish not too long ago, but now they have dropped three straight and need to pick up a win in the regular season finale to ensure their spot as the 3-seed.
This week: 3/9 @ Liberty
7. Middle Tennessee #290 (12-17, 6-8)
2
The Blue Raiders have been one of the better teams in the second half of conference, but they did lose at Sam Houston in their only contest last week. Two tough games remain on the docket as they conclude the regular season.
This week: 3/5 vs Liberty, 3/9 @ Louisiana Tech
8. New Mexico State #288 (12-18, 6-9)
1
The Aggies were able to pick up a split on the road, knocking off Jacksonville State after losing to Liberty. NMSU finishes the regular season at home against FIU. Pick up a win and they will be part of quite a logjam in the middle of the standings.
This week: 3/9 vs FIU
9. Jacksonville State #180 (14-16, 6-9)
5
The Gamecocks looked to be in great position to get into the 4/5 game in next week’s conference tournament, but they dropped both games at home this week, falling to UTEP and New Mexico State. With only one game remaining, at Sam Houston, Jax State could end up in the 8/9 play in game.
This week: 3/9 @ Sam Houston
