A good bit of C-USA “love” in this piece:
Yes, it’s a preseason game, but UTEP beats a pretty decent Grand Canyon squad that was picked #2 in the WAC. Play WAC favorite New Mexico State on 11/19, so will get early indication if Coach Terry rebuild is for real.
Ken Pomeroy’s beginning of season rankings per all 353 D-I teams:
2020 POMEROY RATINGS
86 WKU
110 LA Tech
123 UAB
130 UTEP
143 UTSA
145 ODU
167 Middle Tennessee
177 FAU
185 North Texas
187 Rice
195 Marshall
204 FIU
229 Southern Miss
263 CHARLOTTE
Needs a complementary red nose and big shoes.
304
- Average Marshal alum’s math SAT score?
- Average weight of Marshal coed?
- Average monthly rent on a mobile home in Huntington? (But less than payments on truck or four-wheeler.)
Matt Norlander’s annual preseason rankings of all 353 D-I teams:
2019-20 CBS SPORTS RANKINGS
81 WKU
94 UTSA
113 ODU
130 LA Tech
136 FAU
152 North Texas
170 FIU
198 UTEP
222 UAB
240 Marshall
247 Middle Tennessee
268 CHARLOTTE
295 Rice
321 Southern Miss
SI also has a preseason ranking of all 353 D-I teams:
2019-20 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED RANKINGS
83 WKU
90 LA Tech
113 UTEP
116 UTSA
121 ODU
145 North Texas
163 UAB
171 FIU
178 FAU
186 Middle Tennessee
222 Marshall
233 Rice
248 CHARLOTTE
284 Southern Miss
I’d put money on us finishing better than 248.
All true.
C-USA went 6-4 on opening day (although five Ws were against non-D-I competition). In the marquee games, 0-3 vs Big XII and SEC teams.
Tuesday, November 5th
Flagler (D-II) 81
FAU 92
FIU 69
Mississippi State 77
Maryville (D-III) 61
MIDDLE TENNESSEE 119
Oklahoma Christian (D-II) 40
NORTH TEXAS 79
ODU 53
Northern Iowa 58
RICE 43
Arkansas 91
Delta State (D-II) 71
SOUTHERN MISS 90
New Mexico Highlands 70 (D-II)
UTEP 93
UTSA 67
Oklahoma 85
Tennessee Tech 64
WKU 76
As already noted, Young named C-USA freshman of the week.
C-USA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Nov 11th
POTW: Xavier Green, ODU
FOTW: Jahmir Young, Charlotte