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Nightly chaos continues in Conference USA – a mid-major league that truly goes nine teams deep

With the way this group of teams is playing right now, it may be hard to argue that this isn’t the best we’ve seen Conference USA since the nation-wide realignment in 2013. Nine of CUSA’s ten teams sit inside the KenPom top 150, and teams 2-9 are separated by 35 spots on KenPom.

Currently second in the league, Liberty, is the lone team inside the KenPom top 100, and was the beneficiary of a bye on Thursday night as first place Jacksonville State and third place Middle Tennessee both fell at home. Headlined by Kaden Metheny (13.1 ppg) and Taelon Peter (13.1 ppg), Liberty has an elite defense and a balanced scoring attack, winning seven of its last eight games.

The Flames had a fantastic non-conference schedule, picking up neutral site wins over Kansas State and McNeese State, before a rocky 2-3 start to conference play. Top 70 in KenPom and top 40 in defensive efficiency, Liberty should be the favorites when the CUSA Tournament transpires from March 11-15. Liberty will also have a chance to snag the regular season crown from Jacksonville State by taking care of business over its final five games, including a rematch with the Gamecocks on February 27.

The current league leaders at 10-4, Jacksonville State fell last night in one of the four games across the conference. Jaron Pierre Jr. (22.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.0 apg), one of the best mid-major players in the country, scored 30 in the loss, but was unable to prevent the Gamecocks’ first home loss of the season. Jacksonville State will need more than just Pierre if it wants to do real damage in March, with currently injured Jamar Franklin the only other Gamecock averaging double figures in the scoring column this season.

Taking down Jacksonville State, New Mexico State jumped into a tie for fifth with UTEP at 7-6. Maine transfer Peter Filipovity (12.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) led the way with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win, recording his sixth double-double of the season. The Aggies have had one of the more confusing starts to conference play, beginning 4-0 before dropping six of seven until picking up back-to-back wins, including last night over Jacksonville State. With five games left in the regular season, four of NMSU’s final five games come against teams within two games of them in the conference standings, so there’s still plenty to play for seeding-wise.

Near the bottom of the conference, Sam Houston State (4-10 CUSA) and Western Kentucky (5-8 CUSA) met in Bowling Green last night, and the visiting Bearkats came out on top 78-62. Sam Houston State has been riddled with injuries throughout the season, but things are starting to fall into place, as the team has won three straight and finish the season with a three-game homestand after a visit to Middle Tennessee. Lamar Wilkerson (19.5 ppg), one of the top 30 scorers in the country, leads the way for the Bearkats and will be the key to SHSU pulling off a stunning conference tournament run.

Stuck in the middle of the conference standings, UTEP and Kennesaw State went head-to-head last night for the second time this season, with the Owls getting revenge at home after falling to the Miners in El Paso in late January behind 21 points and seven assists from freshman guard Adrian Wooley (18.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.6 apg). Kennesaw State has been elite at home, now 12-2 on the season including a win over Rutgers, and it’s been a young core getting it done for second year head coach Antoine Pettway.

Headlined by leading scorer Adrian Wooley, three of Kennesaw State’s top four scorers are freshmen, with junior guard Simeon Cottle (17.9 ppg, 3.1 apg) being the veteran of the bunch. Pettway has some young talent that will be intriguing in future seasons if he can keep it around, but with how open CUSA is this season, the Owls could make a push with a freshmen-led squad this March. From a pure talent perspective, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee may be near the top of the conference, but both teams have struggled to stay consistent in CUSA play.

As if New Mexico State’s and Sam Houston State’s road upsets weren’t enough for one night, Louisiana Tech went on the road and beat MTSU last night to complete the season series sweep over the Blue Raiders. Sean Newman Jr. (10.2 ppg, 8.3 apg) currently ranks third nationally in assists per game, but it was his scoring that led the Bulldogs to a road win last night. Newman finished with 23 points and six assists, while Al Green (9.0 ppg), Amaree Abram (12.0 ppg), and Daniel Batcho (17.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) all finished in double-figures in the 85-74. Abram and Batcho, both former high-major starters, speak to the volume of talent at Louisiana Tech, and despite a 7-7 record, Talvin Hester’s squad has as good of chance as any to make noise in Huntsville, Alabama at the CUSA Tournament.

Exciting guards Jestin Porter (16.2 ppg) and Camryn Weston (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.6 apg) headline MTSU’s talent, and if I’ve learned one thing about college basketball, it’s that high-level guard play succeeds in March. Porter has already exploded for over 20 points nine times this season, while Weston led the way with 24 points when MTSU matched up with then-#1 Tennessee (and led at the half) back in December.

Last night’s slate of games in Conference USA proved that any team could win on any given night in the league, whether it’s at home or on the road, adding to the excitement of the upcoming conference tournament. There’s plenty of talent in this league, but with every team seemingly lacking consistency, it may just be whoever shows up the hottest in Huntsville on March 11.

Other Things to Note:

• Julian Reese records 19-point double-double as #20 Maryland handles USC at home 88-71
• Northwestern uses huge second half to earn 70-49 blowout victory at Ohio State
• San Francisco and Santa Clara cruise to home victories to keep four-big WCC dream alive
• Villanova looks to avenge January loss as it hosts #16 Marquette (7:00 ET, FS1)
• Big Ten heavyweights #14 Michigan State and #12 Michigan meet at the Crisler Center (8:00 ET, FOX)