Conference USA: Blue Demons rising
|
By Dan Shanoff, CNN/SI
Returning starter Levett is a high-riser for the always-tough Bearcats.
(Bob Rosato) | |
| Projected Order of
Finish
|
| Team (American) | Comment |
| 1. Cincinnati * | As always, Bob Huggins reloads with great
talent. |
| 2.
DePaul ** | Freshmen the class of the
nation. |
| 3. Louisville | NCAA sanctions make this season bitter rather than
sweet. |
| 4.
St.
Louis ** | Everyone's back—except Larry
Hughes. |
| 5. Marquette | Weren't they just on cusp of
greatness? |
| 6.
UNC Charlotte | Gone: Star PF DeMarco Johnson, PG Sean Colson, coach Melvin
Watkins.
Help! |
| Team (National) | Comment |
| 1. Memphis * | Park this team in the Top
10. |
| 2.
Southern
Miss ** | Golden Eagles should improve on 1998's 22-11 NIT
season. |
| 3.
Alabama-Birmingham ** | Lots to like; depth is
key. |
| 4.
Houston | Will Clyde Drexler play recruits
one-on-one? |
| 5. South
Florida | Still not sold on coach Seth Greenberg's
skills. |
| 6. Tulane | Byron Mouton's got talent; the rest of the Wave is
thin. |
*NCAA Tournament lock;
**NCAA Tournament bubble team/NIT
bound. |
|
| |
|
|
All-Conference
Team |
|
Melvin
Levett , G, 6'3", Sr.,
Cincinnati
| | 1997-98 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 4.7
rpg |
|
Kenyon
Martin , C, 6'8", Jr.,
Cincinnati
| | 1997-98 Stats: 9.9 ppg, 8.9
rpg | |
Quentin
Richardson , G, 6'6", Fr.,
DePaul
| | 1997-98 Stats: 25 ppg, 12.3
rpg (in H.S.) | |
Alex
Sanders , F, 6'7", Sr.,
Louisville
| | 1997-98 Stats: 10.5 ppg, 6.0
rpg | |
Omar
Sneed , F, 6'6", Sr.,
Memphis
| | 1997-98 Stats: 20.9 ppg, 9.2
rpg
|
|
|
Player of the
Year |
| Quentin Richardson, G, 6'6", Fr.,
DePaul
| | Can be compared to '98 C-USA freshman of the year Larry
Hughes -- ability to score at will, destined for the NBA
after one
season.
| |
|
Coach on the Hot
Seat
|
| Seth Greenberg, South
Florida 3rd year, 1997-98
record: 17-13
| | Expectations are peaking for Greenberg, now in his third
year at
USF.
| |
|
Newcomer of the
Year |
| Neil Reed, G, 6'3", Sr., Southern
Miss
| | Out of Bobby Knight's shadow at Indiana, Reed should thrive
as the Golden Eagles' first option on
offense.
| |
|
Top Three
Storylines to Watch
|
| Phi Slamma
Jamma
| | Former Houston star/NBA legend Clyde Drexler returns to his
alma mater. "Coach
Glide?"
|
| Cardinals
Sin
| | NCAA sanctions prohibit Louisville from participating in
the postseason. What's to play
for?
| | Chicago
Hope
| | DePaul can expect a 180-degree turnaround from last
season's 7-23
record.
|
|
| The Bandwagon |
| Memphis |  |
Forget the Lorenzen Wright
era. |
| Alumni
Hall | | DePaul: Move back on campus
permanently! |
| UNC Charlotte |  | Cue up the '97-98 highlight
reel. |
|
|
Games to
Watch |
|
Cincinnati at Rhode Island, Nov.
19
| | A tough test for both
teams.
|
|
DePaul at Kansas, Dec.
17
| | We'll call the upset
here.
|
|
Memphis at Tennessee, Dec.
2
| | Talent on court finally matches heat of
rivalry. |
|
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