Rice

Poll: How Many CUSA Teams Will Make the Tournament?

Shawn Siegel — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:47:30 -0800

Thursday Recap: Missouri Wins Braggin' Rights Yet Again

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:11:22 -0800

The "Braggin' Rights" game between Illinois and Missouri is alway an intense affair, with the fans in the stands split by the halfcourt line and both teams understanding what's at stake before they even hit the floor. This season's game was no different, although for a good portion of the first half it seemed as if the undefeated Tigers were on their way to a romp. Bruce Weber's team refused to fold, and once Missouri got out of control Illinois was able to mount their rally. Illinois went on a 17-3 run halfway through the second half with Joseph Bertrand (19 points, 9-9 FG) leading the way to take a 62-61 lead, but it was Missouri's backcourt that made the plays late to win 78-74.

Phil Pressey led the Tigers with 18 points and five assists, and his layup with 12 seconds remaining sealed the deal as Illinois decided not to foul. Michael Dixon Jr. also scored 18 points and in total four Tigers reached double figures, but they allowed the pace to get a little too fast in the second half. Instead of working the ball around for good shots Missouri took hurried looks, and the "bailouts" allowed Illinois to go down to the other end and string together quality possessions. Bertrand was a big key in that, as he made all nine of his shots while making sound decisions with the basketball.

During that 17-3 run there were also better opportunities for Meyers Leonard, who finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists on the night. The Illini did a better job of finding and getting Leonard the ball in positions where he could be most effective, and that's something that will have to continue for the Illini to reach their full potential. But Illinois once again lost sight of what sparked their run in the final minutes, which allowed the Tigers to regain the lead and ultimately win. Illinois shot 50% from the field and out-rebounded Missouri 35-30 but those numbers didn't matter as much as their 17 turnovers in the end.

Illinois turned the ball over on 24% of their possessions and made just four of sixteen shots from beyond the arc with Sam Maniscalco and D.J. Richardson combining to make just one of eight (Richardson entered the game having made five threes in each of Illinois' last two games). As for the Tigers, while they averaged more than a point per possession they didn't approach their season average in terms of offensive efficiency (126.2), finishing at a 109.9.

They finished below their season averages in many of the tempo-free categories and their getting out of control at times had something to do with it. But Coach Haith and his players understand what they do best and what needs to be done to improve on Thursday's showing. The last time a Missouri team got off to a 12-0 start was back in 1981-82, and that team won 19 straight and finished 27-4. Could this group of Tigers do the same? They sure can.

Other Notable Happenings

1. Georgetown takes care of business and hands Memphis their fifth loss of the season.
The rematch of the Maui Invitational meeting between Memphis and #16 Georgetown was supposed to be a tight affair throughout, but things didn't work out that way for Josh Pastner's Tigers. Frankly Memphis was outworked for much of the game, trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half before finally fighting back. Georgetown would go on to win 70-59 with Jason Clark scoring 18 points and Hollis Thompson adding 17 and nine rebounds. Four starters scored in double figures for the Hoyas, and veterans such as Clark, Thompson and Henry Sims underline exactly what Memphis is lacking right now. When things begin to go wrong on the court who's the guy that will hold himself and his teammates accountable?

The talent is definitely there, with Will Barton being one of the best players in the country. But there are also guys who haven't held up their end of the bargain for a team that's now 6-5 on the season. Senior Wesley Witherspoon? Five minutes tonight and eight over the last two games. Tarik Black? Fouled out in 13 nondescript minutes. Things have gotten to the point where Coach Pastner held a team meeting immediately after the game that lasted nearly two hours. Ferrakhon Hall added something from an effort and toughness standpoint when he was on the floor, but if the meetings haven't fully sunk in it's time to use the motivation of the bench to light a fire under guys. Memphis will have the most talent in Conference USA once they enter league play, but if they don't match that with high-level effort they're going to be in more trouble than this group bargained for.

2. Not only does Texas A&M fall to Rice but they also lost Kourtney Roberson.
Even with an all-conference talent like Arsalan Kazemi to contend with, few people expected Billy Kennedy's Aggies to struggle with a Rice team that entered Thursday's game with three wins over non-Division I opponents to their credit. But that's exactly what happened in College Station as Texas A&M shot just 39% from the field in a 65-58 loss to the Owls. Tamir Jackson scored a team-high 13 points while Kazemi (10 points, 13 rebounds), Ahmad Ibrahim (12 points) and Lucas Kuipers also reached double figures for the Owls, who picked up their first win over a Division I opponent in nearly a month. But the loss may be the least of Texas A&M's concerns with Kourtney Roberson being lost for four-to-six weeks with a fractured left ankle suffered in the first half.

David Lobeau led four Aggies in double figures with 14 points but when two starters (Jordan Green and Keith Davis) go scoreless there's going to be trouble. Khris Middleton and Ray Turner have shown at different stages in the season that they can be primary scorers, which goes without saying for Middleton as he was expected to be. But other than that guys are going to have to step up and be consistent factors on offense. Not everyone can score in double figures; that's not realistic for Texas A&M given their tempo and frankly they don't need everyone to. But they need guys to provide something. That didn't happen against Rice, and the end result was a disappointing defeat.

3. Long Beach State beats Xavier, and a freshman may be the key in them winning the Big West.
Tu Holloway made his return to the Xavier lineup after a one-game suspension for his role in that ugly brawl with city rival Cincinnati. But that didn't matter much as the Musketeers still had their problems executing on the offensive end of the floor. Where the Musketeers really ran into trouble was on the other end of the floor, as Long Beach State outscored Xavier by 12 (21-9) from beyond the arc in winning 68-58. Six players scored for the 49ers but five finished in double figures, with freshman Michael Caffey scoring 14 off the bench to lead the way. Xavier made just three of fifteen shots from beyond the arc, and the only reason why the margin wasn't any worse was the fact that The Beach shot 15-for-28 from the foul line.

But back to Caffey, who was a steal for Dan Monson and his staff as he didn't qualify until late (two of his teammates at Corona (CA) Centennial were Gelaun Wheelwright (Weber State) and Dominique Dunning (New Mexico)). If Caffey can continue to progress that will take some weight off the shoulders of senior point guard Casper Ware, who has the responsibilities of running the show as well as scoring, the 49ers will be that much better for it. In fact it can be argued that the absence of such a player was the big reason why Long Beach State couldn't turn their Big West regular season title into an NCAA Tournament bid. Next up for The Beach is Auburn in a Diamond Head Classic semifinal, and it's a game that will have a bigger impact should they lose as opposed to picking up the win.

Quick Hitters

1. They may have won on Thursday, beating Fairfield 79-71, but Connecticut wasn't at their best after jumping out to a 20-point halftime lead. That's been an issue for the Huskies in a few games this season; once they've figured out that the game's over they've allowed teams to hang around. The Huskies need to change that mindset as they head into Big East play.

2. Ian Miller and Antwan Space saw their first action of the season for Florida State but it didn't matter as they fell to rival Florida 82-64 in Gainesville. Bradley Beal scored 21 and grabbed six rebounds and all five Gator starters scored in double figures. Florida simply had too many weapons, and the Seminoles don't have a Patric Young either.

3. Drew Crawford scored 34 points and John Shurna added 18, nine rebounds and six assists but it wasn't enough as Northwestern fell at #21 Creighton 87-79. Doug McDemott scored 27 points and the Bluejays took advantage of Crawford leaving the game early in the second half with his fourth foul. That's another good win for Creighton ,and a missed opportunity for an improved Northwestern.

4. A sophomore who's played well of late but remains under the radar is UTEP's Mike Perez, who scored a career-high 25 points in the Miners' 61-48 win over Clemson at the Diamond Head Classic. Perez has scored at least 17 points in five of UTEP's last six games and has emerged as a go-to option that Tim Floyd and his staff didn't expect to have before the season began.

5. The biggest threat to Belmont in the Atlantic Sun is likely Mercer, and the Bears picked up a 65-59 win at Georgia Tech. Monty Brown scored 13 points off the bench and Bud Thomas added 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Bears, who lost a Belmont by just four earlier this month. Bob Hoffman's got a contender on his hands, and with Belmont being their regular season finale you never know what could be on the line.

6. Charleston did a good job of bouncing back from their tough loss at Louisville, winning 77-70 at Big South contender Coastal Carolina. Andrew Lawrence led the way with 18 points and seven assists while Matt Sundberg added 17 off the bench for the Cougars, who are now 10-2 on the season.

7. Congratulations are in order for Bob Huggins, who won his 700th game as a head coach on Thursday night. West Virginia needed a Gary Browne three-pointer to push Missouri State to overtime in Las Vegas, and they went on to win 70-68. Next up for WVU is #7 Baylor.

8. And Butler did what they had to do to get a split of their two games in beating Stanford 71-66 at Maples Pavilion. Ronald Nored scored 18 points and dished out five assists while Jackson Aldridge added 15 off the bench.

Three Notable Performances

1. F Chris Gaston (Fordham)
35 points (13-17 FG) and 15 rebounds in the Rams' 81-70 win over Texas State.

2. F Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State)
24 points (8-11 FG), 14 rebounds and four assists in the Bulldogs' 82-67 win over Northwestern State.

3. F/C Brennan Cougill (Green Bay)
19 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the Phoenix's 63-61 win over Idaho.

Jon Teitel's Coaches Interview Series: Former Eastern Michigan Head Coach Ben Braun

Jon Teitel — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:44:14 -0700

In the latest installement in his coaches interview series, CHN writer spent some time with current Rice head coach Ben Braun, who also made stops at Eastern Michigan and Cal. At EMU Coach Braun led the Eagles to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1991. Now in his second season at Rice, Coach Braun and his staff are looking to build a program that can compete with Memphis atop Conference USA.

Jon Teitel: You graduated from Wisconsi with a teaching degree in English and a minor in African-American Studies. Why did you choose those courses of study?
Ben Braun: I was fortunate to focus on academics at Wisconsin, and I met some professors in those fields who motivated me to become a good student. I just wanted to teach and coach high school basketball.

JT: Midway through the 1986 season you became interim head coach at Eastern Michigan. How did it feel to take over a program in the middle of the season?
BB: Jim Boyce had brought me in as his assistant, but he resigned during the year. I had previously been the head coach at a small college called Siena Heights, so I was able to draw on that experience. When you are an "interim" there is no guarantee for the future, but I treated it as if I was the head coach.

JT: What are your memories of the 1988 NCAA Tournament (Charles Smith scored 31 points in a Pittsburgh victory)?
BB: I remember us shooting the ball well and holding our own in the first half. We had beaten Michigan State earlier that season (who had Steve Smith), so we had some experience against good competition. It was a special group of guys who came together.

JT: In 1989, you served as head coach of Team USA at the Maccabiah Games and lost to the host country of Israel in the title game. How did you like the gig, and how close did you come to winning it all?
BB: We were ahead at halftime, despite playing against a team featuring pros like Nadav Henefeld. I remember it being one of the longest halftimes I had ever seen, as it took about 20 minutes to get back on the court! We had a group of former college players who had been out of the game for a few years. Seth Greenberg was my assistant, and was a good coach even back then. We had beaten everyone else in that tourney pretty handily, but I think we got tired from playing games all over the country. It was 1 of my better experiences as a coach, as it was very special to represent my country.

1991 NCAA Tournament

JT: Marcus Kennedy scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a 20-point upset of 5-seed Mississippi State. How big a deal was it to win a tourney game, and how were you able to destroy the SEC champ?
BB: We won 26 games that year, and the MAC was one of the best mid-major conferences in the country back then. Mississippi State was well coached and talented, but we just played better that day.

JT: Kennedy scored 21 points before fouling out in a three-point overtime win over Penn State. How were you able to pull out the win, and did you think you were going to lose after Kennedy fouled out?
BB: When you come that far, it means that you have been in that position before. Winners know how to win, so we did not think for a second about losing that game.

JT: Eric Montross had 17 points in North Carolina's win in the Sweet 16. Was Montross just too big for you to handle?
BB: We played extremely well and were sailing along in the first half, but they had several future NBA players in addition to Montross and pulled away in the 2nd half.

JT: What are your memories of the 1996 NCAA Tournament (Earl Boykins scored 23 points in Duke's first loss in the first round in over 40 years, and Brian Tolbert scored 36 points [7-13 3PM] in a loss to 1-seed Connecticut)?
BB: Our guys were not intimidated by Duke, as most other teams are. We won 15 games in a row that season, and were one of the highest scoring teams in the country. We had some good forwards to complement Earl and Brian. We were up by double-digits over Connecticut at halftime, but Doron Sheffer brought them back in the second half. We had a lot of things going for us at EMU: a great fan base, a supportive administration, etc.

JT: You replaced Todd Bozeman as the head coach at California in 1996 after he resigned in the wake of an NCAA investigation, and your 23 wins were the most by a California coach in his first year with the program. Why did you decide to go to Cal, and how were you able to be so successful so quickly?
BB: It was hard to pass up an opportunity to coach at a Pac-10 school and compete on a national level. We were in the postseason almost every year, which was fun, and it was a chance to build a program. It was a hard decision to leave EMU, as I had developed a lot of great relationships during my time there.

JT: In 1997 you were named Pac-10 Coach of the Yeal (the first Cal coach to ever receive the award). What did it mean to you to win such an outstanding individual honor?
BB: It was nice to get that award, as the Pac-10 often has some of the best coaches in the country (Lute Olson, Mike Montgomery, etc.).

1997 NCAA Tournament

JT: Alfred Grigsby blocked a three-point shot by Gabe Lewullis to seal a three point win over Princeton. What did you tell your team at halftime when you trailed by six points, and where does Grigsby's block rank among the most clutch defensive plays you have ever seen?
BB: We were a good defensive team that year, and Alfred was back for his sixth year after being injured for much of his career. I think we were the last team to beat Arizona that year before they won the title. If you have never coached against Princeton, let me tell you: they are a difficult team to coach against. They were not just smart; they also knew how to play.

JT: Future NFL All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez scored 23 points while holding Tim Thomas scoreless in the second half in a seven point win over Villanova. How were you able to go so far after Ed Gray broke his foot, and is Gonzalez the best two-sport athletes you have ever seen?
BB: Ed had 48 points with 12 minutes left in his last game against Washington State before breaking his foot, so we just had to come together as a team without him. Tony would rank at the top of my list. He had a killer attitude in both sports; he found ways to get into the end zone and to get to the basket.

JT: Antawn Jamison had 21 points and eight rebounds in a six-point North Carolina victory. Were you getting sick of playing North Carolina in the tournament?
BB: We were leading most of the game. Coach Smith was always a nice guy, so I would joke with him and wonder if he would be as nice if we ever beat him...and he said maybe not! We finally got even with North Carolina when we beat them a couple of years later after we had been put on probation.

JT: What are your memories of the 1999 NIT (Willie Coleman missed a 17-foot shot at the buzzer in a one-point win over DePaul, and Cal went on to win the title)?
BB: We were down 17 points at the half at DePaul, and came back to win it even though DePaul had about four future NBA guys on that team. We felt we could have gone to the NCAA tourney that year, but when we did not get an invite we just decided to do our best in the NIT.

JT: What are your memories of the 2002 NCAA Tournament (seven-point win over Penn, then lost to Pitt)?
BB: Fran Dunphy is a great coach and a great guy, so it was big for us to beat Penn. Those Penn and Princeton teams in the past couple of decades could play with anyone in the country. Fran got us back by winning the Golden Bear Classic soon after that. We had to play Pitt in Pittsburgh, which was not easy.

JT: What are your memories of the 2003 NCAA Tournament (Richard Midgley made a three-point shot with four seconds left in a two-point overtime win over NC State, then you had a nine-point loss to Oklahoma)?
BB: Midgley's shot was a big thrill: he was only a freshman, which was huge. We had to play Oklahoma in Oklahoma, which was also not easy.

JT: In 2008 you became head coach at Rice. Why did you take the job and what has been the biggest challenge so far?
BB: I welcomed the opportunity to go to Rice, which is a world-class institution.

JT: ESPN.com ranked your first signing class as #3 among Division I mid-major programs. What is the key to being a great recruiter, and do you consider your program to be a "mid-major"?
BB: I think we are a mid-major program that plays a high-major schedule, so our goal is to get to the top of our league and compete with teams like Memphis. We are the one private academic school that stands out from the rest of the conference, so we have to find our niche to appeal to elite student-athletes.

JT: You have several former assistants who now serve as Division I head coaches. What do you think that says about you, and which of your former assistants do you think will turn out to be the best head coach?
BB: Any coach will tell you this, but I had some great assistant coaches (Gary Waters, Keith Dambrot, Charles Ramsey, Joe Pasternack, etc.). Keith is one of the most unsung coaches in the country right now. Louis Reynaud, my associate head coach at Rice, has turned down several head coaching jobs to remain as my assistant, and even some of former players like Stan Heath have become good coaches. I do not think that it changes my legacy no matter how many of my assistants become head coaches themselves. Even Dean Smith had a guy like Bill Guthridge; it is a great help to build a program with guys who are loyal to you, competent, unselfish, etc., but sometimes it is just good fortune. I am proud that a lot of my coaches/players have gone on to success. If you coach long enough you are going to win some games. I made a lot of mistakes when I was a young coach, but nobody noticed because we played in a gym which was a bingo hall! I am in my 50s, and still feel the passion for the game.

The greatest thrill is to rally my players around a single cause, build some camaraderie, and teach them how to carry themselves like winners. I do not want my guys to win some basketball games and then fall flat on their faces upon entering the real world. I want them prepared for life, so we help them with internships/interviews, as they will end up doing more than just playing basketball. That is the biggest joy, and I hope it continues. My current AD Rick Greenspan is a veteran guy who I enjoy being around because he understands what real college athletics should be about. Arsalan Kazemi scored 14 points for Iran against Team USA this summer, and guys like him will open the door for future players from the Middle East and maybe even help mend diplomatic relations.

To show his support, our school president David Leebron invited the team to his house for dinner despite the fact that we finished last in the conference! We are the second smallest Division I program in the country (behind only Davidson), but it is kind of like being in basketball heaven, because our school wants to win the right way. We have not been to the tourney in 40 years, and if we can do that, it would be very rewarding. Obviously it will be a challenge to turn around this program, but I feel that Rice is committed to supporting basketball.

Coach Braun is also on Jon's list of best coaches in MAC history.

Akron: Keith Dambrot (2004-present) 139-62, one NCAA Tournament appearance, one conference title
Ball State: Ray McCallum (1993-2000) 126-76, two NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference titles
Bowling Green: Harold Anderson (1942-1963) 362-185, three NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference titles
Buffalo: Reggie Witherspoon (1999-present) 144-183, one conference title, one-time conference Coach of the Year
Central Michigan: Dick Parfitt (1972-1985) 178-168, two NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference titles, one-time conference Coach of the Year
Eastern Michigan: Ben Braun (1985-1996) 185-132, three NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference titles, three-time conference Coach of the Year
Kent State: Jim Christian (2002-2008) 137-59, two NCAA Tournament appearances, four conference titles, two-time conference Coach of the Year
Miami (OH): Charlie Coles (1996-present) 241-188, three NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference titles, one-time conference Coach of the Year
Northern Illinois: John McDougal (1976-1986) 136-141, one NCAA Tournament appearance, one conference title, one-time conference Coach of the Year
Ohio: James Snyder (1949-1974) 354-245, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, seven conference titles, two-time conference Coach of the Year
Toledo: Bob Nichols (1965-1987) 375-213, three NCAA Tournament appearances, four conference titles, three-time conference Coach of the Year
Western Michigan: Herbert "Buck" Read (1922-1949) 345-169

Forgotten Legends: College Basketball Q&A Series

Jon Teitel — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:59:50 -0700

College basketball is a game of history, exemplified by the stars of yesterday who set the bar for today's student athletes. Jon Teitel looks back at some of the forgotten (and not so forgotten) college basketball legends who made our game what it is today. Some of these names might bring back great memories, while others will mean nothing to you, but each of the player's below made an important mark on college basketball history.

Enjoy Jon Teitel's interviews with the following college basketball legends:

Taylor Coppenrath

Vermont - Led UVA to 3 NCAA Tournaments (including win over Syracuse). Averaged 25.1 ppg in 2005.

Ron Cox

Eastern Washington - EWU's All-time leading scorer & rebounder. First-team All-American '77. Third-team All-American '76

Fennis Dembo

Wyoming - Averaged NCAA-Tournament best 27.8 ppg in 1987. Featured on Sports Illustrated cover.

Les Hunter

Loyola-Chicago - Member of 1963 NCAA Champions. 2-time ABA All-Star.

Keith Jennings

ETSU - 2 time Conference Player of the Year. Conference leader in assists & steals. 4-year NBA career.

Cliff Meely

Colorado - 2 time Big 8 Player of the Year. Top 10 NBA pick in 1971. Top 5 in Colorado's point, rebounds, blocks list.

Ricky Pierce

Rice - Owls all-time leading scorer. 1st Round pick in 1981. 15-year NBA career. Won Sixth Man of the Year twice.

Dan Roundfield

Central Michigan - 3-time NBA All-Star. 5-time NBA All-Defensive team. 1975 MAC Player of the Year.

Billy Shepherd

Butler - Bulldogs all-time leading scorer. Averaged 24.1 ppg for career. Played in ABA.

Charles Smith

Pittsburgh - Big East Player of the Year. 2-time All-American. Lengthy NBA career.

Mychal Thompson

Minnesota - #1 Pick in 1978 NBA Draft. Won back to back NBA titles. Gophers all-time leading scorer.

Willie Wise

Drake - Led Bulldogs to lone Final Four trip. Averaged almost ppg in ABA career. Nicknamed "Wonderous"

Also:

Marc "Showbiz" Brown - Siena

Lanard Copeland - Georgia State

Ben Hinson - Charleston Southern

Richard "Doc" Sauers - Albany

Talvin Skinner - UMES

Frank Viera - Quinnipiac

Isaac Fontaine - Washington State

Darren Queenan - Lehigh

Troy Bell - Boston College

Joe Behling - Belmont

Dave Hoppen - Nebraska

Kelly Golob - Northern Arizona

Doug Day - Radford

Steve Barker - Samford

Evan Eschmeyer - Northwestern

Carrick DeHart - UC Santa Barbara

Michael Watson - UMKC

Mike Pegues - Delaware

Jamar Wilson - Albany

Lester Lyons - East Carolina

Charles "Bubba" Wells - Austin Peay

Jaycee Carroll - Utah State

Ernie Calverley - Rhode Island

Wayne Molis - Chicago State/Lewis University

Joe Carrabino - Harvard

Dickie Hemric - Wake Forest

Rick Raivio - Portland

Dwight "Bo" Lamar - UL Lafayette

Ron Cornelius - Pacific

Andy O'Donnell - Loyola (MD)

Wille Jackson - Centenary

Jerry Sloan - Evansville

Donell Taylor - UAB

Butch Lee - Marquette

Jon Teitel's Interview Series: Rice Legend Ricky Pierce

Jon Teitel — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:28:36 -0700

In the most recent installement in Jon Teitel's interview series he caught up with Ricky Pierce, who followed up one of the greatest careers in Rice history with a long professional career.

Jon Teitel: You started at Walla Walla CC before ending up at Rice. Why did you choose Walla Walla, and why did you end up at Rice?

Ricky Pierce: I was going to attend Washington State, as head coach George Raveling wanted to keep me close so he could keep an eye on me. I ended up choosing Rice because I wanted to stay closer to home so that family could come see me.

JT: You were named All-SWC in each of your three years at Rice. How were you able to come in and contribute in your first year, and how were you able to dominate throughout your college career?

RP: It is just a matter of determination, and wanting to be competitive, so I would go home every summer and put a lot into my training.

JT: In 1982 you were named All-American and conference Player of the Year. What did it mean to you to win such outstanding individual honors?

RP: It meant a lot to me, as I wanted to be one of the best in the world.

JT: You graduated as the leading scorer in school history, and your career average of 22.5 PPG is still tops in school history. Did you realize at the time how prolific a player you were?

RP: A lot of people told me that I could really shoot the ball, and I just practiced a lot: it was a gift.

JT: In the summer of 1982 you were drafted with the 18th overall pick by Detroit (2 spots ahead of Paul Pressey). Did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other?

RP: It was a dream of mine to play in the pros, and getting drafted was the only way to get satisfaction.

JT: In 1983 you were traded to the San Diego Clippers, who moved to LA after that season. How did it feel to be traded, and what was it like to be on a franchise that was changing cities at the time?

RP: It hurt my feelings; I felt rejected, I could not hold food down, it was a real depressing moment. I later realized that it just meant that there were other teams that wanted me. It was hard to understand as a young player, but I thought it was a great opportunity for me to go to a big city like LA.

JT: In 1984 you were traded to Milwaukee before ever playing a game in LA. Were you frustrated to be on your 3rd team in 3 years, and how hard is it to separate the personal side from the business side of professional sports?

RP: That is when I started to realize that it was a business, but it was nice to know that teams wanted me. It was great to go to Milwaukee and play with Paul Pressey and play for Coach Don Nelson.

JT: What are your memories of the 1986 Eastern Conference Finals (the Celtics swept the Bucks en route to winning the NBA title)?

RP: Boston just had an outstanding team, and we ran into a buzz-saw in Larry Bird. We were not happy to get swept, but we just did everything we could do.

JT: In 1987 and 1990 you were named NBA Sixth Man of the Year with Milwaukee. Do you have a different mindset coming off the bench as a 6th man, and did you feel like you deserved to be a starter?

RP: To see so many great guys who did not make it at all, and having been traded so much, I was just happy to play and get consistent minutes. Starters' minutes are marked in as a certain number of minutes, as are the minutes for guys coming off the bench. In my mind I was going to finish games regardless of whether or not I started them, so that was my approach.

JT: In 1991 with Seattle you set the then second-longest consecutive free throw streak in NBA history by making 75 in a row. How were you able to maintain your focus for such a long stretch, and what is your secret for FT shooting?

RP: You just have to ollow through, keep your balance, and stay focused. I was a good shooter, but you need determination to make FT: they are gimmes.

JT: In 1991 you scored nine points in your only All-Star game. What did it feel like to finally be recognized as an All-Star?

RP: It felt good to make the All-Star team; it was a great accomplishment for me, but it was never a goal of mine to make the All-Star game. It showed that all my hard work had paid off, as most of time the players selected were starters.

JT: What are your memories of the 1993 Western Conference Finals (the Suns beat the Sonics in Game 7, led by Charles Barkley who had 44 points and 24 rebounds)?

RP: Barkley was a monster player who just had a monster game. Home-court advantage is key in the playoffs, so it was a real tough series for us. We had young players like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp who were still learning, and they learned a lot in that series.

JT: You averaged 14.9 PPG during your 15-year NBA career. How satisfied are you with your career, and how do you want people to remember you the most?

RP: I am satisfied with my career: the only thing I did not do was win a championship. It felt good to get to the top level. I want to be remembered as a hard-worker who competed all the time and never cheated the game: I showed up to practice every day and just worked hard.

JT: You are currently thirteenth in NBA history with a career mark of 87.5 FT%. Do you consider yourself to be one of the best FT shooters ever?

RP: Yes, from a statistical standpoint. The key is whether you can make them at the end of the game, which I could.

JT: You ended up playing for eight different teams in your career. Do you feel allegiance to any one specific team, and if so, why?

RP: My greatest memories were with Milwaukee (where I played with guys like Pressey/Jack Sikma/Alvin Robertson/Sidney Moncrief) and Seattle. I also give a lot of credit to the two former Boston guys I played under (KC Jones and Don Nelson), as well as Del Harris.

JT: Despite moving around so much, you made the playoffs in 12 of your 15 seasons: were you just fortunate to be on a bunch of great teams, and was it frustrating to keep making the playoffs without ever reaching the NBA Finals?

RP: It was frustrating, because every player wants to win a championship, they are hard to come by, you need right team and right time, and if you weren't on Boston/LA/Chicago it was tough.

JT: After retiring from the NBA in 1998 you played overseas in Greece. What did you learn from this experience, and how did it compare to the NBA?

RP: The NBA had better players for sure, but overseas they work so hard from a young age, including two-a-day practices. The NBA was a lot more "pleasurable", so the young guys who are now in the NBA do not understand the work ethic. In Europe they run it more like college; you have a pre-game meal together, and there is no joking around.

JT: After returning to America and watching your son at the YMCA, you developed the AccuShot 22 (a basketball with specially-designed fingertip-placement markers). How did you come up with the idea, and how well does it work?

RP: I started training players and noticed them shooting the ball out of the palm of their hand. If you shoot it off of your fingertips, as all the great players do, it gives you more feel/control/backspin. You can position the ball several different ways, but backspin on your release is the key. I am going to do a Walmart clinic in Arkansas, and you can find out more information about the ball at: www.accushot22rickypierce.com.

JT: The product sells for almost $40 but you give away hundreds to underprivileged children for free. What value do you place on charity, and how do the kids react when you give them a free ball?

RP: The kids love it: I was one of those kids growing up who could not afford camps/lessons. I give a lot of the basketball to churches on Christmas. I really feel passion for kids, and I love giving to charity.

JT: You also wrote a children's book called "Bouncing Billy" about the importance of diversity and physical fitness. Why did you write the book, and do you think it has helped fight the problem of obesity in America?

RP: As I was training kids to play basketball, I had a lot of parents tell me that their kids needed to get more engaged in physical activities. My book (www.bouncingbilly.com) teaches that even if you are different, you are still special: it is a great tool for understanding life skills. I am working on my 2nd book to teach some other life lessons. I also have a life skills programs called Accuskills for kids from ages 10-18 about being prepared for the opportunities that await you.

Conference USA Pro Greats by School

East Carolina: Blue Edwards (1990)

Houston: Hakeem Olajuwon (1985)

Marshall: Hal Greer (1959)

Memphis: Larry Kenon (1974)

Rice: Ricky Pierce (1983)

SMU: Jim Krebs (1958)

Southern Miss: Clarence Weatherspoon (1993)

Tulane: Hot Rod Williams (1987)

Tulsa: Paul Pressey (1983)

UAB: Donell Taylor (2006)

UCF: Jermaine Taylor (2010)

UTEP: Tim Hardaway (1990)

Poll: Who Will Win the CUSA Tournament?

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:28 -0800

Conference USA: All-Conference Teams

Press Release — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:02:24 -0800

IRVING, Texas - Players from five different schools are represented on the 2010 All-Conference USA men's basketball first-team, featuring three repeat all-conference selections and two newcomers. Seniors Aubrey Coleman of Houston and Ben Uzoh of Tulsa are joined by juniors Elijah Millsap of UAB and Randy Culpepper of UTEP, along with sophomore Elliot Williams of Memphis. All five players are guards. Voting on the awards was done by the C-USA head coaches and media members in each conference city.

Coleman is a repeat first-team selection and has been the nation's leading scorer this season, averaging 26.0 points per game. The guard from Houston, Texas, scored 420 points during the conference regular season, the second-highest total in league history. Coleman, who has led UH in scoring in all but one game this season, enters this week's GMC Sierra C-USA Men's Basketball Championship with 1,400 points during his two years at UH. He was named C-USA Player of the Week five times this season.

Uzoh, a two-time second-team all-conference selection, leads Tulsa in scoring this season at 15.4 points per game, while adding 4.7 rebounds per game and 45 three-pointers made. He has moved into the top 10 in C-USA history in scoring, ranking seventh with 1,895 points. Uzoh is just the sixth player in Tulsa to history to score at least 400 points in three consecutive seasons.

Culpepper made the jump from the all-conference third team to the first team as he helped guide UTEP to its first C-USA title with a 15-1 league record. The junior from Memphis, Tenn., enters the C-USA Championship ranked third in C-USA in scoring at 18.1 points per game. Culpepper has led the Miners in scoring 14 times this season and has moved up fourth place in scoring all-time at UTEP with 1,597 points. He has topped the 30-point mark three times this year, including 45 points against East Carolina on Feb. 13, the most by any C-USA player this season and tied for second-most in league history.

Millsap burst onto the scene for UAB this season, averaging 16.0 points per game (fifth in C-USA), while leading the league in rebounding (9.3) from his guard position. He is one of only two guards to rank among the top 40 players in rebounding in Division I. Millsap, the brother of Utah Jazz star Paul Millsap, tops the conference in double-doubles with 15 (second-most in UAB history).

Williams has scored in double figures in 29 of 31 games this season and is currently averaging 18.5 points per game. He has topped the 20-point mark on 16 occasions, the fourth-highest single-season total in Tiger history. Williams also ranks in C-USA's top 10 in assists per game (3.8) and three-point field goals made (56).

The second team is comprised completely of forwards and centers. Marshall senior Tyler Wilkerson and freshman Hassan Whiteside (the only freshman all-conference selection) are joined by Southern Miss junior Gary Flowers, UTEP junior Derrick Caracter and Tulsa senior Jerome Jordan on the second unit.

SMU placed two student-athletes on the all-conference third team in junior forward Papa Dia and senior guard Derek Williams. The pair was joined by Memphis sophomore swingman Wesley Witherspoon and junior guards Brock Young of East Carolina and Aaron Johnson of UAB.

These 15 All-Conference players will be in action at this week's GMC Sierra C-USA Men's Basketball Championship, March 10-13 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

2009-10 ALL-CONFERENCE USA FIRST TEAM
Aubrey Coleman, Houston, G, 6-4, 200, Sr., Houston, Texas
Randy Culpepper, UTEP, G, Jr., 6-0, 165, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
Elijah Millsap, UAB, G, Jr., 6-6, 211, Grambling, La.
Ben Uzoh, Tulsa, G, 6-3, 200, Sr., San Antonio, Texas
Elliot Williams, Memphis, G, 6-5, 180, So., Memphis, Tenn.

2009-10 ALL-CONFERENCE USA SECOND TEAM
Derrick Caracter, UTEP, F, 6-9, 275, Jr., Fanwood, N.J.
Gary Flowers, Southern Miss, F, 6-8, 214, Jr., Dallas, Texas
Jerome Jordan, Tulsa, C, 7-0, 245, Sr., Kingston, Jamaica
Hassan Whiteside, Marshall, F, 6-11, 235, Fr., Gastonia, N.C.
Tyler Wilkerson, Marshall, F, 6-8, 240, Sr., Lexington, Ky.

2009-10 ALL-CONFERENCE USA THIRD TEAM
Papa Dia, SMU, F, 6-9, 235, Jr., St. Louis, Senegal
Aaron Johnson, UAB, G, 5-8, 175, Jr., Chicago, Ill.
Derek Williams, SMU, G, 6-1, 170, Sr., Jamaica, N.Y.
Wesley Witherspoon, Memphis, F/G, 6-9, 210, So., Atlanta, Ga.
Brock Young, East Carolina, G, 5-11, 175, Jr., Raleigh, N.C.

Conference USA Preview: 2009-10

CHN — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:06:35 -0800

With Memphis in flux following the departure of John Calipari, this might be the year someone like Tulsa, Houston, or UTEP breaks through. The other contenders better act quickly as Memphis has locked up a monster recruiting class next year..

Conference Rank: 10th

10 year average: 8th

Conference USA Page

All-CUSA Team
Pos.	Player	Team	Yr.

G	Aubrey Coleman	Houston	Sr
G	Ben Uzoh	Tulsa	Sr
G	Randy Culpepper	UTEP	Jr
G	Willie Kemp	Memphis	Sr
F	Jerome Jordan	Tulsa	Sr

Player of the Year - Jerome Jordan Freshman of the Year - Keith Clanton (UCF)
CHN Award Winners		Returning Leaders
CHN All-Americans Jerome Jordan High-Major All-Americans Jerome Jordan (1st Team) Aubrey Coleman (2nd) Willie Kemp Roburt Sallie Ben Uzoh		Points: Aubrey Coleman 19.4 Rebounds: Jerome Jordan 8.6 Assists: Brock Young 7.6 Team: Houston 75.8

Conference USA Standings
Nat'l	Team	League	Tourney

33	Memphis	CUSA	1	NCAA
38	Tulsa	CUSA	2	NCAA
80	UTEP	CUSA	3	NIT
100	Houston	CUSA	4	CBI/CIT
118	Marshall	CUSA	5	CBI/CIT
153	UAB	CUSA	6
163	UCF	CUSA	7
193	SMU	CUSA	8
208	Tulane	CUSA	9
211	East Carolina	CUSA	10
230	Rice	CUSA	11
272	Southern Miss	CUSA	12

*Click on links for full Top 144 team preview

** returning conference champion

Poll: Who Do You Think Will Win the CUSA?

College Basketball Preview - 348 Team Ranking - Alphabetical Ranks/Previews

The Ultimate Schedule: Conference USA West Division

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:43:47 -0700

Conference USA Schedule “Rules”:

- Four non-conference games

- Eight conference games (three against West Division opponents)

- Conference USA Championship Game (December 5^th)

Week 1: Buffalo @ UTEP (September 5^th)

It’s an important season for head coach Mike Price and the Miner program, and they’ll be tested right out of the gate by the reigning MAC champions. Head coach Turner Gill has high hopes for new quarterback Zach Maynard, and weapons such as James Starks and Naaman Roosevelt will help Maynard with the transition to starter. And with a defense that welcomes back eight starters, the Bulls will be a handful for UTEP in the season opener. Trevor Vittatoe is back for another run as starting quarterback, and if the defense can raise its level of play the Coach Price may be able to get UTEP back into bowl contention.

Other Games Considered: Rice @ UAB (9/5), Tulsa @ Tulane (9/4)

Week 2: Houston @ Oklahoma State (September 12^th)

This promises to be a wild, high-scoring affair with football filling the sky. In Case Keenum and Zac Robinson you’ll have two of the better quarterbacks in the nation, and the same goes for running backs Bryce Beall and Kendall Hunter. Add to this the presence of OK State WR Dez Bryant and the winner will likely score at least forty points. The question for both teams lies with the defense; as in how much have both units improved since last season.

Bill Young takes over the defensive coordinator role at Oklahoma State, and his addition has to be the difference if the Cowboys want to entertain any thoughts of cracking the Texas/Oklahoma tandem at the top of the Big 12 South. Houston, with a win here, would open up a world of possibilities in regards to a possible run at a BCS bid.

Other Games Considered: Rice @ Texas Tech (9/12), Kansas @ UTEP (9/12), Tulsa @ New Mexico (9/12)

Week 3: Tulsa @ Oklahoma (September 19^th)

The Golden Hurricane will have their hands full with a Sooner squad that blew them out in Tulsa last season. Heisman winner Sam Bradford is back and has a number of weapons at his fingertips with TE Jermaine Gresham, RB DeMarco Murray and WR Ryan Broyles among the many options. Tulsa, despite an offense that was the best in Conference USA last season, will have to contend with one of the best front sevens in all of college football. Coach Graham prefers a balanced attack so expect Tulsa to commit to establishing the run early on. If they can’t they’ll be in trouble against a team that, much like them, can put points on the board in a hurry.

Other Games Considered: Rice @ Oklahoma State (9/19), UTEP @ New Mexico State (9/19)

Week 4: Bye Week (September 26^th)

A little early for a bye week, but with October delivering a matchup of Boise State visiting Tulsa and no conference games on the schedule for West Division teams it’s a good time to rest. Keep an eye on Texas Tech visiting Houston and Rice hosting Vanderbilt for some entertaining football.

Week 5: Houston @ UTEP (October 3^rd)

The Cougars racked up seven hundred yards of offense in last year’s meeting yet only won by the final score of 42-37. The Miners had the ball for a little more than six minutes longer than Houston despite rushing for just 102 yards. Trevor Vittatoe had arguably his best game of the season, throwing for 362 yards and accounting for five total touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to upstage Case Keenum’s 480 passing yards and Bryce Beall’s 167 rushing yards. Houston has won the last three meetings in the series, scoring at least thirty-four points in each contest. Expect some fun in El Paso, and a Miner win would quickly turn the division race into a three-team affair.

Other Games Considered: Tulsa @ Rice (10/3), SMU @ TCU (10/3)

Week 6: East Carolina @ SMU (October 10^th)

While the more intriguing game in regards to division title/bowl implications would be Memphis taking on UTEP, we’ve already seen the Miners twice in the first four games of the season. That means a trip to Dallas is in order to check out the growth of the Mustangs under June Jones. It was a tough first season for Coach Jones, who had to lean upon a freshman quarterback (Bo Levi Mitchell) and went 1-11. Now with Mitchell and the other cogs of the offense having a full season under their belts with Jones, some are looking for the Mustangs to make a jump up the standings. How high? A meeting with the defending conference champions would provide an early answer. They haven’t met since 2006, so it will be interesting to see how the normally stout Pirate defense deals with the run and shoot.

Other Games Considered: UTEP @ Memphis (10/10), Houston @ Mississippi State (10/10)

Week 7: Boise State @ Tulsa (October 14^th)

No team in their right mind would schedule two games just four days apart; that rule doesn’t apply here. The Golden Hurricane host one of the schools that has provided the “BCS buster” blueprint over the last ten years in Boise State. QB Kellen Moore had an outstanding freshman campaign, and the Broncos were essentially two points away from going unbeaten in 2008 (losing to TCU 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl). Boise State has an awful lot of weapons back for another run at the BCS, and this along with their opener against Oregon may be their biggest roadblock. Tulsa can score with just about anyone; it’s the matter of how well their defense can perform in games like this. Linebacker Mike Bryan and SPUR James Lockett will lead the way for a unit that should improve its productivity. Are the strides enough to slow down the Broncos? We shall see.

Other Games Considered: Rice @ East Carolina (10/17), Navy @ SMU (10/17), and Houston @ Tulane (10/17)

Week 8: Tulsa @ UTEP (October 21^st)

The final game in the three-team round robin that will likely decide the West is Houston taking on Tulsa the first Saturday in November. And the Miners should be hungry for some revenge; if they’re not upset about getting seventy-seven points hung on them last season then something’s very wrong (SMU only allowed 37 the week prior). The Miners gave up 791 yards of offense, thirty-six first downs…and Tulsa only scored seven points in the fourth quarter. It was an embarrassing showing, indicative of the Miners’ poor defense in 2008. The UTEP offense struggled mightily on the ground, rushing for just thirty-two yards and thus failing to keep the ball away from the Golden Hurricane. For UTEP, this meeting is just as much about restoring pride as it is pushing their way into the division title race.

Other Games Considered: SMU @ Houston (10/24), Tulane @ Southern Miss (10/24)

Week 9: Southern Miss @ Houston (October 31^st)

The Golden Eagles have done quite well against the Cougars, winning seven of the last nine games in the series. The two haven’t met since 2006 when they split two meetings (Southern Miss winning the latter for the conference title), and they could very well meet twice in 2009. Both teams are expected to be a part of the conference title hunt, with the Cougars looking to improve defensively while the Golden Eagles will look to become even better offensively. Unlike East Carolina, who won’t have to play Houston, the Golden Eagles drew both Houston and Tulsa and that fact makes this an even bigger game for Southern Miss.

Other Games Considered: UAB @ UTEP (10/31), Tulane @ LSU (10/31)

Week 10: Houston @ Tulsa (November 7^th)

Their meeting last season provided arguably the most shocking result of the Conference USA season. The Cougars forced five turnovers on their way to a 70-30 beating in a game that featured fifty-nine combined first downs and more than 1,100 yards of total offense. Case Keenum threw for 402 yards and six touchdowns, and the Cougars raced out to a 42-17 halftime lead. The last two meetings have been blowouts, with the Golden Hurricane kicking things off with a 56-7 beating in 2007. Hopefully this time they go down to the wire, with the winner likely leaving with the inside track to the Conference USA Championship Game.

Other Games Considered: Rice @ SMU (11/7), UTEP @ Tulane (11/7)

Week 11: East Carolina @ Tulsa (November 15^th)

Another meeting that could take place again on December 5^th, and it’s also a rematch of last year’s title game. The Pirates picked off David Johnson five times in the 27-24 win, making up for a yardage difference of 121 yards and an ECU offense that was just 2-13 on third downs. Tulsa finished the game with seven turnovers and in Tulsa’s three losses last season they averaged five turnovers per game. If the Pirates are to duplicate last season’s win they’ll need to get more out of their passing game; ECU had just 122 yards through the air, but when you win the turnover margin by six that deficiency can be overcome. Will there be more of the same in the rematch? We’ll find out.

Other Games Considered: Houston @ UCF (11/14), UTEP @ SMU (11/14)

Week 12: UTEP @ Rice (November 21^st)

The Owls have won the last three meetings in the series, including a 49-44 thriller last season in which the teams combined for more than one thousand yards and fifty-three first downs. Unfortunately for David Bailiff he won’t have QB Chase Clement, TE James Casey or WR Jarrett Dillard since both have run out of eligibility so those weapons won’t be on the field. However, do not doubt Rice’s ability to put points on the board; their offensive system gets the ball in the air often and puts points on the board in a hurry. The same goes for UTEP, which had more of an issue defensively in 2008 than the Owls. High-scoring games have been the norm in this series so nothing less should be expected.

Other Games Considered: Tulsa @ Southern Miss (11/21), Memphis @ Houston (11/21)

Week 13: Rice @ Houston (November 28^th)

The “Bayou Bucket” will be on the line, and the Cougars will be looking for some revenge after a loss to the Owls cost them a berth in last year’s conference championship game. The schools are separated by just five miles and don’t care too much for each other, which makes this an appealing game to take in on the final day of the regular season. James Casey had an outstanding day for the Owls, accounting for five touchdowns (three receiving, one passing and one rushing) and 203 all-purpose yards. He’s out of eligibility, but don’t think that Coach Bailiff won’t have some offensive wrinkles to throw at the Cougars.

Other Game Considered: Memphis @ Tulsa (11/27)

Week 14: Conference USA Championship Game (December 5^th)

The pick here is that Houston will end East Carolina’s reign as Conference USA champion, beating the Pirates in the championship game.

Conference USA Football Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:53:34 -0700

Offense sells tickets…does it win titles?

By Raphielle Johnson

A familiar theme within Conference USA was the explosive offensive capabilities of many teams. But for all the fireworks that came from the likes of Houston and Tulsa it was the league’s best defensive team that won the title. East Carolina survived a mid-season letdown that followed huge non-conference wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia, clinching a title game berth opposite the Golden Hurricane. ECU’s 27-24 win, which included five Pirate interceptions, meant the first conference title of any kind for the program since 1976.

Skip Holtz’s team could very well find itself back in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl with seventeen starters back in Greenville. QB Patrick Pinkney threw for more than 2,600 yards last season, and RB Dominique Lindsay returns after missing all of 2008 due to injury. But the Pirates’ calling card is a tough defense led by safety Van Eskridge and middle linebacker Nick Johnson. The key for the Pirates will be navigating a treacherous non-conference schedule (West Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia Tech). Outside of a mid-November trip to Tulsa the Pirates’ toughest conference games will be at home.

As for who can challenge ECU within the East Division, look no further than Larry Fedora’s Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Southern Miss got off to a slow start in 2008, losing six of their first eight contests. But the Golden Eagles finished with a flourish, winning their last five games with no single-digit margins until the 30-27 overtime win in the New Orleans Bowl (versus Troy).

RB Damion Fletcher is back for one more run through the conference, and there’s a very good chance that he could once again lead the league in rushing. But the health of WR DeAndre Brown, who suffered a broken leg in the bowl game, will be important. When 100%, Brown gives the Southern Miss a vertical threat that cannot be ignored by opponents.

As for another challenger, Tommy West’s Memphis Tigers may be the team best equipped to push its way into the top two. WR Duke Calhoun has caught at least one pass in each of the thirty-seven games he’s played in, and Carlos Singleton led the Tigers in receiving last season. But the development of RB Curtis Steele helped the Tigers immensely on offense.

The junior college import ran for more that 1,200 yards in 2008, taking some of the pressure off of QB Arkelon Hall. However, Memphis will need to find answers in regards to line play, both offensively and defensively, if they want to compete with East Carolina and Southern Miss. Those lines will receive a significant test in the season opener, when the Tigers host Ole Miss in front of a national television audience (ESPN).

As for the rest of the East, both Mark Snyder (Marshall) and George O’Leary (UCF) have very important seasons ahead of them in regards to the state of their programs. Snyder simply hasn’t won enough to appease a fan base used to bowl games and national titles (at the now FCS level). O’Leary’s case is a little less cut and dry, with the program coming under fire from some circles following the death of Erick Plancher a couple of seasons ago. Combine this with the fact that the reigning conference champions going into 2008 finished 4-8 (3-5 C-USA). Ten starters are back on offense for UCF, which will hope that its quarterbacks can complete a higher percentage of their passes in 2009 (42.9%).

The Thundering Herd return eight starters each on offense and defense, including all four defensive linemen and offensive threats Cody Slate and Darius Marshall. How Marshall makes up for the loss of WR Darius Passmore remains to be seen, but they will need someone to step up on the outside. Coach Snyder brought in Rick Minter, who has experience at Cincinnati and Notre Dame, to run a defense that finished 2008 eighth in Conference USA in total defense.

Neil Calloway’s UAB Blazers are also looking to make a move within the East Division, and with eighteen starters back (including all eleven on offense) they could do just that. QB Joe Webb shouldered much of the load last season, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark on the ground while throwing for more than 2,600 yards. The burden of being essentially the lone offensive playmaker may have shown itself in his sixteen interceptions to ten touchdown passes. If Rashaud Slaughter and Justin Brooks can step up in the backfield and receivers such as Frantrell Forrest and Mark Ferrell can help in the air UAB could separate from the other teams that finished 3-5 in 2008.

As for the West, offense reigned supreme in 2008 and it’s expected to be the same in 2009. Tulsa, Houston and Rice were the conference’s most explosive offensive teams, and more of the same is to be expected. Houston QB Case Keenum led Conference USA in total offense, averaging more than 400 yards per game. The next two in that category, Chase Clement (Rice) and David Johnson (Tulsa), have both moved on and that fact gives the Cougars the edge in the division race. Running back Bryce Beall also returns for the Cougars, along with three returning starters each at receiver and on the offensive line.

There is a negative for Houston; six starters need to be replaced on a defense that was seventh in Conference USA in both total and scoring defense. If head coach Kevin Sumlin and company can find some answers on that side of the football Houston has a change to pass Tulsa as division champ.

Todd Graham’s Golden Hurricane return six starters on offense (but lose Johnson and RB Tarion Adams), but the biggest loss could be that of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. A trio of receivers with the same last name (Damaris, Trae and Ricky Johnson) will lead a receiving corps that could once again light up scoreboards throughout the conference.

Defensively Tulsa should be in decent shape with MLB Mike Bryan (how was he only an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection?) being one of eight returning starters on the unit. Tulsa actually finished fifth in the conference in total defense, but they struggled against the pass (ninth in pass efficiency defense). The three-game stretch that will go a long way in determining the fate of the Golden Hurricane is in November, with Houston, East Carolina and Southern Miss all in a row. Outside of those three games the conference schedule is manageable for the Golden Hurricane, so some good fortune there could give them another shot at the conference title.

As for David Bailiff’s Owls, they’ll be going through the unenviable task of replacing one of the most productive combinations in college history. QB Chase Clement and WR Jarrett Dillard have moved on, leaving large holes to fill in their wake. Do-it-all offensive (and sometimes defensive) standout James Casey is also gone, as is RB C.J. Ugokwe, and with just four starters back on offense the defense may have to do some heavy lifting in the early going. Early-season games against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State will test a unit that returns eight starters, including leading tackler FS Andrew Sendejo and KAT Travis Bradshaw.

The team that may need to improve for the sake of its head coach is UTEP, which has struggled of late under Mike Price since he hit the ground running upon his arrival is 2004. After two consecutive bowl appearances to start off his tenure, Coach Price has a record of 14-22 over the last three seasons. QB Trevor Vittatoe’s return will go a long way in getting the Miners back into contention for a bowl berth, but truth be told if the defense isn’t up to par (11^th in C-USA in total defense last season) it may not matter what the offense puts on the board. The linebackers will need some polish, and two of the team’s top three tacklers from 2008 are gone, but the seven returning starters should help lead the improvement.

SMU and Tulane round out the division, with the hope in Dallas being that the Mustangs can make significant strides in their second season under June Jones. Coach Jones had to go with a true freshman at quarterback in Bo Levi Mitchell, and to say that there were some growing pains in the 1-11 campaign would be an understatement. But to be honest, the lack of playmakers around Mitchell had just as much to do with his struggles as his youth. A season under Mitchell’s belt should help with his progression as a quarterback, as should the return of seven other offensive starters and eight defensive starters.

As for the Green Wave, head coach Bob Toledo drew a rough two games to start the season: Tulsa and BYU. At least both games will be at the Louisiana Superdome…which will probably ensure that droves of Golden Hurricane and Cougar fans make the trip to cheer on their respective teams. Tulane also wasn’t done any favors in the three-game stretch of Houston, Southern Miss and LSU in October.

RB Andre Anderson was the most productive member of the Tulane offense in 2008, rushing for more than 800 yards. Eight starters return to an offense that ranked ninth in total offense and tenth in rushing offense, while six starters return on defense. There is room for growth, but just how much Tulane progresses could be stunted by a tough schedule.

Storyline: Offense sells tickets but defense wins championships. If anyone’s to challenge defending champion East Carolina they’ll need to play solid defense, not just outscore people.

Players of the Year: QB Case Keenum (Houston) and FS Van Eskridge (East Carolina)

How they’ll finish

East 1. East Carolina West 1. Houston

2. Southern Miss 2. Tulsa

3. Memphis 3. UTEP

4. UCF 4. Rice

5. UAB 5. SMU

6. Marshall 6. Tulane

Next: Conference USA East and West ultimate schedules