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Conference USA overview

Upstarts ready to challenge Bearcats' stranglehold

By Stan Olson, Special to CNNSI.com

Bobby Simmons is ready to step into a starring role at DePaul. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

Order of Finish American Division 1. Cincinnati 2. Charlotte 3. DePaul 4. Louisville 5. Marquette 6. Saint Louis National Division 1. South Florida 2. Memphis 3. UAB 4. Southern Mississippi 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Top storylines

Can Cincinnati continue its C-USA dominance? Coach Bob Huggins obviously thinks so, having turned down a 4-year, $8 million deal to right the Los Angeles Clippers over the summer. He lost Kenyon Martin, Pete Mikeal and DerMarr Johnson, but has restocked with junior college standouts.

How fast will John Calipari make his mark in Memphis? Judging by his hot recruiting start, immediately.

Which team will make the most dramatic improvement? The bet here is Charlotte, with a group of eight newcomers that gives it an inside punch that was absent a year ago.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Cincinnati, Charlotte, South Florida, Memphis	DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, UAB, Southern Miss	Saint Louis, Houston, Tulane

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Kelly Wise, Memphis • A quick 6-10 junior who averaged 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds, Wise should be the league's most dominant inside player. Bobby Simmons, DePaul • Played in the shadow of Quentin Richardson last season, but now it's his team. The 6-7 forward (13.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg) is good inside and out. George Williams, Houston • A 6-8 splash in the middle as a freshman (14.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg), Williams will be able to work more from the perimeter with the addition of center Alton Ford.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Altron Jackson, South Florida • A junior wing player who can score inside or out, the 6-6 Jackson was the nation's highest-scoring sixth man last season (18.2 ppg). Kenny Satterfield, Cincinnati • Perhaps the league's fastest player, and expected to do more after a solid freshman season (9.2 ppg, 5.4 apg). Brian Wardle, Marquette • A 6-5 senior wing with a deft shooting touch, Wardle (16.6 ppg) made 40 percent of his threes a year ago.

Top Three Newcomers

Alton Ford, Houston • The Cougars will be much improved largely because of the 6-9, 270-pound Ford, a top 5 national recruiting target who will have an immediate impact. Rodney White, Charlotte • The most versatile newcomer, this 6-8, 220-pound freshman can play anywhere from center to shooting guard. Jamaal Davis, Cincinnati • One of Huggins' quick-fix jucos, the 6-8, 230-pound Davis should open at power forward. Antwan Jones may be just as good at small forward.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Bobby Lutz, Charlotte • People may have missed it, but Lutz won 17 games with no inside talent last year. Now that the 49ers are loaded, watch out.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Murry Bartow, UAB • Last season's 14-14 effort wasn't quite up to daddy Gene's level, and a repeat won't play well in Birmingham.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Louisville • Denny Crum's Cardinals always face a glittering lineup, and this year's is no exception with non-conference foes Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky and Utah.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

UAB • The terrors of Alabama A&M, Chattanooga, Georgia State and Alcorn State are waiting.

Mark Your Calendar

Jan. 2, Kentucky at Louisville • One of those great in-state rivalry matchups that there should be more of. Feb. 1, Cincinnati at Charlotte • The 49ers always play the Bearcats tough in Halton Arena, and this season will be no exception. Feb. 7, Memphis at South Florida • A chance to prove which one is the heavyweight in the National Division. Mar. 3, Cincinnati at DePaul • This one could decide who's top-seeded in the American Division.

Stan Olson covers Conference USA for the Charlotte Observer and will write a conference insider for CNNSI.com this season.

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