The 2023 Conference USA basketball tournament should be an interesting one. There are a couple of teams that are fighting to get in via an automatic bid. However, only one of these top three teams will win this tournament and go on to the NCAA tournament.
The Betting Odds
Florida Atlantic +150
North Texas +240
UAB +240
Charlotte +1300
Middle Tennessee +1600
Western Kentucky +8000
Louisiana Tech +10000
UTEP +10000
UTSA +15000
FIU +15000
Rice +15000
The Bracket
Does The Best Team Win The Tournament?
The Florida Atlantic Owls have been one of the better non power five teams all season long. Florida Atlantic averages 79.3 points per game which is second best in the conference and they rank 33rd in the country as well. This team goes nine deep which is very rare nowadays in the NCAA. Florida Atlantic is led by their backcourt duo of sophomore guards Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin. Davis averages 13.2 points per game to go along with 5.2 rebounds per game on a 49/41/83 shooting split. Martin averages 12.6 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds per game on a 43/36/82 shooting split.
This FAU team is a young team as they only have one senior who plays signficiant minutes for them. The Owls have not made many mistakes this season and if the Owls want to go dancing for the second time in school history, they need their young team to continue their great play.
Do You Have Faith In North Texas or UAB?
The Mean Green and the Blazers have put together good seasons in the Conference USA. North Texas finished with a 25-6 record, while UAB finished with a 23-8 record. Both these teams are led by fantastic guards with Jelly Walker representing UAB and Tylor Perry representing North Texas. One good thing for North Texas is that they are one of the best defensive teams in the country. The Mean Green gives up on average 55.4 points per game which is crazy to think about. Offensively, they are not great but with how good their defense is, they can stay in with how good their defense is.
While UAB averages 82.2 points per game which is 12th in the nation and the best in the Conference USA. The Blazers are a very efficient offense that can compete with any team in this tournament. I think the Blazers will make some noise and enough to create some buzz in this tournament.
The Don’s Winner
This is for sure a three team race for the Conference USA tournament crown. However, the one you should go with is Florida Atlantic +150. The Owls have been the best team all season long and I think that UAB’s winning streak will their chances to win the tournament. The Mean Green are also very good, but they lost their only matchup against FAU this season. Ride the Owls to the Conference USA title.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
8 Western Kentucky over 9 UTEP
10 Louisiana Tech over 7 Florida International
6 Rice over 11 UTSA
Quarterfinals
1 Florida Atlantic over 8 Western Kentucky
5 Charlotte over 4 Middle Tennessee
2 North Texas over 10 Louisiana Tech
3 UAB over 6 Rice
Semifinals
1 Florida Atlantic over 5 Charlotte
2 North Texas over 3 UAB
Finals
1 Florida Atlantic over 2 North Texas