Louisiana Tech holds a slight edge in what should be a tight race at the top of Conference USA.
One of the more constant players in the conference realignment, Conference USA once again enters a season of change. The league lost six members ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, replacing them with eventual regular-season champion Sam Houston, as well as Jacksonville State, Liberty and New Mexico State. Kennesaw State is the only new face this season, though Delaware and Missouri State will be joining the conference following this academic year.
While Sam Houston made a scorching entrance into CUSA with its 13-3 regular-season record, the Bearkats faltered against UTEP in the conference tournament semifinals. Western Kentucky and first-year head coach Steve Lutz buried the Miners in the final to earn the league’s automatic bid — and eventually, a new job for Lutz. The Hilltoppers look poised to stay in the mix, but Louisiana Tech has the prospective Player of the Year in Daniel Batcho, while Chris Mudge’s SHSU squad should once again be near the top of the CUSA standings. Meanwhile, Nick McDevitt brings in an intriguing transfer class that could help Middle Tennessee make a run at the title.
Further down the pecking order, Liberty, NMSU, Jacksonville State and UTEP seem destined for a tight battle over playoff seeding. As for FIU and Kennesaw State, the Panthers and the debuting Owls may be battling over who gets the nicer cot in the basement.
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Projected Order of Finish
1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
With the league’s Preseason Player of the Year in the fold, Louisiana Tech could be in line for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 1991. Behind all-league first-teamers Isaiah Crawford and Daniel Batcho, the Bulldogs finished 22-10 (12-4 CUSA) and took second place behind Sam Houston in the conference standings. But despite winning at least 20 games in 10 of the past 12 seasons, the big postseason prize has remained elusive.
Head coach Talvin Hester could change that this year, but he’ll need guys to step up around his top star. The obvious centerpiece to Hester’s gameplan is Batcho (15.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg), who was voted the league’s Preseason Player of the Year. Highly efficient on both ends of the floor, the 6-11 Frenchman could put up massive numbers in the absence of last year’s other double-figure scorers.
Joining Batcho in the frontcourt is 6-8 transfer Sean Elkinton (17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 42.9 3P%, 39 3PM at D-II St. Edwards). He should help stretch the floor for the Bulldogs, which could make Louisiana Tech a particularly difficult team to stop. Meanwhile, 6-8 wing Devin Ree (5.4 ppg, 40.7 3P%, 24 3PM) shot well in 14 minutes per game last year and will add another wrinkle on the perimeter. Pitt transfer Will Jeffress (1.9 ppg) should provide serviceable depth, too.
In the backcourt, Sean Newman (7.2 ppg, 5.2 apg) reprises his role at point guard after leading the league in assists. Next to him, Jordan Crawford (4.1 ppg) looks to break out, while high-major transfers Amaree Abram (3.4 ppg at Georgia Tech) and Kaden Cooper (1.5 ppg at Oklahoma) will push for playing time. Hester also added JUCO transfer Al Green (13.6 ppg at San Diego CC), as well as three-star freshmen Landren Blocker and AJ Bates.
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