Marquette Golden Eagles, Cincinnati Bearcats, Louisville Cardinals, University of North Carolina-Charlotte 49ers, Memphis Tigers.
What do these programs all have in common?
Surprisingly, they are all part of one of the more intriguing stories this year in men's college basketball'the rise of Conference USA.
For years, Conference USA has been tagged as one of the weaker conferences in the nation. Year after year, their mediocre play allows for only a couple teams to represent the conference in the national tourney, one of them usually being the Bearcats of Cincinnati.
However, this year is marking a clear turn-around. What is the deal?
Experts are baffled, because for the first time, in quite some time, teams other than just Cincinnati are capable of cracking the Top 25.
In a conference where the coaching, among the likes of Rick Pitino, Tom Crean, Bob Huggins and John Calipari, is more recognizable than the players, it is very remarkable to see the student athletes excel.
The talent slowly but surely continues to get better, as more and more recruits are seeing that these coaches bring winning teams. The defensive strategies implemented by these high profile coaches are finally working as attaining a Top 25 ranking is more feasible.
So how good is the conference?
Is this year a fluke?
Can someone other than Cincinnati get it done in March?
Here is a look, midway through the season, at the top five teams in Conference USA, what they have done and what they need to do in order to solidify their chances to receive an invitation to the big dance.
Clearly the favorites to come out as the winner of this conference, the Bearcats have the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation. Directed by senior guard Steve Logan and his 21.8 points per game, the fourth-ranked Bearcats have won 20 consecutive games after an opening game loss.
However, a lack of marquee opponents has some people doubting this team based on the level of its competition.
Cincinnati's upcoming schedule, with road games at Marquette, Charlotte and No. 19 Wake Forest, will truly determine if this team is as good as its record says.
Sophomore guard Dwyane Wade's 18 ppg have paced this young Golden Eagles team to an 7-1 conference record, to go along with a solid 18-3 overall standing.
Starting off the year 10-0 and with a victory over then-20th-ranked Indiana, the Golden Eagles have set their sights high on winning their first conference title in years. Head Coach Tom Crean's Golden Eagles will have to beat the best in order to legitimize their lofty record when they face the Bearcats twice in February.
After losing the future of their program, Rondell White, to the Association, much success was not expected out of this 49ers squad. However, with senior guard Jobey Thomas, the Niners have propelled themselves into second place in the conference (7-1, 13-6).
Charlotte must prove that it is legit and win the big games (1-3 against Top 25 opponents) when it takes on Cincinnati and Marquette during this final stretch.
John Calipari's Tigers have had a favorable schedule and will continue to have one for the remaining month or so. Lead by one of the most sought-out freshman ever in guard Dajuan Wagner and his 21 ppg, the Tigers should be able to sneak an invite to this year tourney. They have to learn to win the big games, however.
Junior guard Reece Gaines, a product of Madison, has been taken under the wing of Rick Pitino and flourished into a pretty good scorer, averaging nearly 20 per game.
Although the Cardinals have not proven they can win the big games, they are young and can do some damage come conference tournament time. Rough roads are ahead with away games against Indiana and Marquette, among other conference opponents. However, do not ever count out a Rick Pitino collegiate team.
