UTEP
Stefon Jackson can score—he can really score. The reigning Conference USA scoring champion is back for another season and will lead the Miners into contention for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Two other starters return, as well as the league's best sixth man, Randy Culpepper.
Scoring will rarely be a problem for UTEP, but coach Tony Barbee needs to get his team to play defense. The Miners ranked last in the conference in scoring defense.
UTEP will likely just miss out on the NCAA Tournament, but will be a very high seed in the NIT.
Southern Mississippi
The Golden Eagles haven't been relevant in almost two decades, but that could change in 2009. Larry Eustachy returns all five of his starters from a team that finished tied for fourth last year.
Jeremy Wise, A.L. Horton, and Courtney Beasley all average double figures, and sixth man Craig Craft is a capable three-point shooter off the bench.
Southern Miss will be walking a fine line like UTEP between the NCAA Tournament and the NIT.
The Golden Eagles will likely fall into the NIT, but receive a high seed.
Going to a Three-Letter Tournament
Tulsa
The Golden Hurricanes should by logic be able to make the NIT. After winning the inaugural College Basketball Invitational and losing only two role players, the Hurricanes should be in contention to make the NIT.
One of the conference's best inside-outside combinations belongs to coach Doug Wojcik. Guard Ben Uzah (15 ppg in 2008) and 7'0" center Jerome Jordan (10.5 ppg in 2008) should put points on the board with ease.
Tulsa should peak as an NIT team, but has the potential to go to the Big Dance if Jerome Jordan continues to improve and show off his potential to be a professional prospect.
Houston
The Cougars lost a lot of scoring with the departure of Robert McKiver, who shared the scoring title with Stefon Jackson. Only one starter returns to Tom Penders' team, but freshman Aubrey Coleman and transfer Qa'rraan Calhoun should make this team competitive enough to win a few games during the conference schedule.
Houston is off to a decent start, and it should continue through the New Year. The Cougars should be a borderline NIT/CBI team.
The Rest of the Conference Isn't Very Good
Outside of Marshall, there really isn't another team in the conference that can remotely challenge Houston for sixth.
The Thundering Herd returns three starters, brings in three transfers from major programs, and welcomes three freshmen to a 16-14 team. The talent is there, but the results are not. Marshall is off to a bad start at 1-3.
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