Conference Outlook

1 Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Home court: Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center
Head coach: Bob Huggins
2002-03 record: 17-12
2003-04 outlook: The Bearcats have the talent to make a Final Four run. Jason Maxiell could very well end up being the premier post player in the league. The guards are all electric with James White leading a crew of Nick Williams, Armein Kirkland and Field Williams. The question mark is Robert Whaley — lots of talent, even more baggage.

2 Louisville
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Home court: Freedom Hall
Head coach: Rick Pitino
2002-03 record: 25-7
2003-04 outlook: The Cardinals are coached by Rick Pitino and that is all that matters. They will, however, miss Reece Gaines’ leadership and go-to status on the team. Francisco Garcia is the natural replacement, but he was a perfect second or third option a year ago. Taquan Dean has to score at point totake some pressure off Garcia. The biggest question this season for the Cardinals is do they have enough inside presence?

3 Marquette
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
Home court: Bradley Center
Head coach: Tom Crean
2002-03 record: 27-6
2003-04 outlook: The Eagles could end up being the toughest team in C-USA. But they will miss Dwyane Wade as a fall-back guy in the lineup. Travis Diener cannot be expected to bail out the offense every time down court. The key will be whether Dameon Mason and Marcus Jackson can be the breakout players Tom Crean believes they can be and that is why he did not accept the University of Illiinois’ coaching position. Defense is the Eagles strong point.
4 Memphis
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Home court: The Pyramid
Head coach: John Calipari
2002-03 record: 23-7
2003-04 outlook: John Calipari is raving about how this team reminds him of his old teams at UMass. He could be right. There is not one breakout star, but Rodney Carney is on the verge of being a C-USA star. A backcourt of Antonio Burks and Jeremy Hunt is a solid pair for this league. The Tigers will play tough, scrappy defense and find ways to score.

5 Charlotte
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Home court: Dale F. Halton Arena
Head coach: Bobby Lutz
2002-03 record: 13-16
2003-04 outlook: The 49ers should be ready to make a move with Martin Iti in the middle. He could end up being the most immovable post player in the league. He lacks the finishing touches of Maxiell, but he gives Bobby Lutz a major matchup problem. If Demon Brown can continue to hit 3-point shot, the 49ers will have the balance they need.

6 UAB
Location: Birmingham, Ala.
Home court: Bartow Arena
Head coach: Mike Anderson
2002-03 record: 21-13
2003-04 outlook: The one name few have heard of is Morris Finley. He is one of the best scorers in the Southeast, regardless of conference. The Blazers are finally used to Mike Anderson’s frenetic defense. If Finley can continue to score at will, and a well-respected freshman class led by Earnest Little produces, the Blazers will sneak up on many teams in C-USA.

7 DePaul
Location: Chicago
Home court: Allstate Arena
Head coach: Dave Leitao
2002-03 record: 16-13
2003-04 outlook: The Blue Demons are climbing up in the league, as they get ready to bolt for the Big East. Losing Wesley Green to a season-ending injury after he was expected to start is a severe blow. That puts even more pressure on Andre Brown to score in double figures every night. The backcourt is underrated, but this is likely an NIT team.

8 Saint Louis
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Home court: Savvis Center
Head coach: Brad Soderberg
2002-03 record: 16-14
2003-04 outlook: The Billikens are a hard team to figure out. The talent level dropped with the departure of Marque Perry. But the Billikens still play well in Brad Soderberg’s system. The key question: Can they score enough to hang with the upper teams in this league? Villanova transfer Reggie Bryant has to come in and produce to reach any kind of posteseason.

9 Houston
Location: Houston
Home court: Robertson Stadium
Head coach: Ray McCallum
2002-03 record: 8-20
2003-04 outlook: Andre Owens got out of Indiana because he wanted to be a star. He will get his wish, but he needs more help from players like Cedrick Hensley and Bryan Shelton. This is a crucial season for UH. It must show progress as it gets ready to enter a new C-USA where the top spots will be up for grabs. This team is young, but loaded with a ton of talent.

10 Southern Miss
Location: Hattiesburg, Miss.
Home court: Reed Green Coliseum
Head coach: James Green
2002-03 record: 13-16
2003-04 outlook: James Green has always been a top defensive coach. But the Golden Eagles have struggled to score. That could change if Charles Gaines, Greg Johnson and Jasper Johnson continue their rapid development. This threesome could be trouble for C-USA teams. The Golden Eagles lack depth after the big three, but are capable of jump over a few teams.

11 South Florida
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Home court: Sun Dome
Head coach: Robert McCullum
2002-03 record: 15-14
2003-04 outlook: Seth Greenberg did not leave a lot left for Robert McCullum. He has got quite a task ahead as the Bulls get ready to go to the BigEast. For now, they have got to remain competitive with the burden falling on senior guard Jimmy Baxter. He will need help from newcomers James Holmes and Bradley Mosley.

12 East Carolina
Location: Greenville, N.C.
Home court: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum
Head coach: Bill Herrion
2002-03 record: 12-15
2003-04 outlook: Bill Herrion will benefit from the departure of the elite teams in this league, but not until next season. He has got a solid system, but the talent simply is not there yet to compete at a high level this season. A new point guard will cause some problems, but East Carolina still has scorers in Gabriel Mkulas and Derrick Wiley.

13 Tulane
Location: New Orleans, La.
Home court: Fogelman Arena
Head coach: Shawn Finney
2002-03 record: 16-15
2003-04 outlook: This team lacks a go-to player, scoring punch and an overall identity. Tulane nearly dropped to Division III in football and Shawn Finney considered going to Marshall. Instead he returned to continue the rebuilding process. He will need all the help he can get from his newcomers like Vincent Camper.

14 TCU
Location: Fort Worth
Home court: Daniel-Meyer Coliseum
Home coach: Neil Dougherty
2002-03 record: 9-19
2003-04 outlook: The Horned Frogs had a poor offseason with an NCAA violation and an assistant coach departing. Neil Dougherty is in for a rough transition unless Marcus Shropshire and Aaron Curtis become bust-out scorers on a nightly basis. Corey Santee is a legit scorer but he needs help. Better D is also needed.

— compiled by www.ESPN.com