2024 Conference USA Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The Conference USA Tournament.

Conference USA entered the season with a revamped look. Gone were Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and UAB, who all put the league squarely in the spotlight right before exiting. The league brought in four new members, including programs with recent success like Liberty and New Mexico State. However, another newcomer, Sam Houston State, is the team that emerged as the regular season champions.

The Bearkats may still have some doubters heading into the conference tournament, but they earned their place as the top seed by sweeping the runner-up Louisiana Tech in the regular season. Still, with a league full of solid programs, it feels like the first year of the new Conference USA Tournament could be wide open.

2024 Conference USA Awards

Player of the Year: Isaiah Crawford, Louisiana Tech

Freshman of the Year: David Terrell Jr., UTEP

Transfer of the Year: Daniel Batcho, Louisiana Tech

Coach of the Year: Chris Mudge, Sam Houston State

First Team:

• G: Lamar Wilkerson, Sam Houston State (13.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 35.2 3P%)
• G: Kyky Tandy, Jacksonville State (18.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 39.3 3P%)
• F: Zach Cleveland, Liberty (12.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 BPG)
• F: Isaiah Crawford, Louisiana Tech (16.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 41.1 3P%)
• F: Daniel Batcho, Louisiana Tech (14.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 2.4 BPG, 57.9 FG%)

Second Team:

• G: Don McHenry, Western Kentucky (15.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 46.4 FG%, 38.7 3P%)
• G: Tahlik Chavez, Louisiana Tech (13.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 40.8 3P%)
• G: Tae Hardy, UTEP (15.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 38.4 3P%)
• G: Femi Odukale, New Mexico State (10.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• F: Kyle Rode, Liberty (14.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 39.0 3P%)

Conference USA Tournament Simulation

First Round – Tue., Mar. 12

8. Jacksonville State (14-17, 6-10) vs. 9. Florida International (10-21, 5-11) – 8 p.m. on ESPN+

Jacksonville State has lost three straight to end the season, with their last win coming on the road at FIU back on February 24. The Gamecocks swept the Panthers on the season, though both squads have played the top teams tough at times this season. Still, Jacksonville State has had more recent success in tournament situations, so give me the Gamecocks in this one.

Matt’s pick: 8. Jacksonville State

Quarterfinals – Wed., Mar. 13

1. Sam Houston State (20-11, 13-3) vs. 8. Jacksonville State – 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+

Believe it or not, two of Sam Houston State’s three league losses came to the bottom two teams. The Bearkats fell to Jacksonville State a month ago, but got their revenge at home in the regular season finale. The Gamecocks owned the rebounding advantage in both games, but SHSU was able to force more turnovers the second time around. Expect Sam Houston State to do what it takes to advance.

Matt’s pick: 1. Sam Houston State

2. Louisiana Tech (22-9, 12-4) vs. 7. Middle Tennessee State (13-18, 7-9) – 8 p.m. on ESPN+

As you can see based on the league awards, Louisiana Tech is loaded with star power in the league. The Bulldogs swept MTSU in both games, though the Blue Raiders fought hard in both instances. Expect this to be a battle, but one that Louisiana Tech ultimately prevails in.

Matt’s pick: 2. Louisiana Tech

Quarterfinals – Thur., Mar. 14

4. Liberty (18-13, 7-9) vs. 5. UTEP (16-15, 7-9) – 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+

These teams split in the regular season, with Liberty squeaking out a two-point win while UTEP won the rematch by 16. In both games, the Miners outrebounded the Flames, with the team that won the turnover battle winning the game. UTEP is one of the best teams in the country in forcing turnovers, and that defensive fortitude helps them advance.

Matt’s pick: 5. UTEP

3. Western Kentucky (19-11, 8-8) vs. 6. New Mexico State (13-18, 7-9) – 8 p.m.  on ESPN+

Another series where the teams split on their home courts. Western Kentucky was in the thick of the conference title race before losing their last five games of the season. New Mexico State had their own six-game skid before winning their final two games against the bottom of the league. WKU has a higher ceiling and moves on.

Matt’s pick: 3. Western Kentucky

Semifinals – Fri. Mdar. 15

1. Sam Houston State vs. 5. UTEP – 11:30 a.m. on CBS Sports Network

Sam Houston State swept the season series, and a large part of that came from dominating the glass. The Bearkats also survived a high turnover rate the first time around. The sign of a good team is being able to win when you don’t play your best. The Miners will test them, but the Bearkats are well-rounded enough to fend them off.

Matt’s pick: 1. Sam Houston State

2. Louisiana Tech vs. 3. Western Kentucky– 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network

Louisiana Tech and WKU split, with both teams winning on the other’s court. The Bulldogs have a solid defense, while the Hilltoppers play the fastest pace in D-1. This game will come down to who can dictate the tempo. The Bulldogs end up being a bit more clutch down the stretch and win a fantastic showdown.

Matt’s pick: 2. Louisiana Tech

Championship – Sat. Mar. 16

1. Sam Houston State vs. 2. Louisiana Tech– 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network

Sam Houston State swept Louisiana Tech, though the Bulldogs dominated just about every statistic in their first match-up except for one: turnovers. While neither team takes care of the ball very well, the Bearkats are a little better at forcing them. That being said, it’s very hard to beat a good team three times in a season, and it feels like Louisiana Tech will use the sweep as motivation in this one. The Bulldogs get their revenge at the right time.

Matt’s pick: 2. Louisiana Tech