Coming off a disappointing season, East Carolina hopes to be one of the most improved teams in the country in 2007-08 and the Pirates have good reason to believe that they will be as their roster has matured.More
HOUSTON
More Experience, Improved Depth, Better Overall Defensive Play…Those are three key ingredients the University of Houston basketball team plans to use in its efforts to return to postseason play in 2007-08. Last season, Houston played most of the season without two of its most experienced players when junior forward Sam Anderson left the team for personal reasons after the first five games, and three-year starting point guard Lanny Smith was limited to just four contests after undergoing preseason surgery on his left foot. In addition, junior-college transfer Tafari Toney was limited in his ability to run most of the year while he recovered from preseason knee surgery. More
MARSHALL
The 2007-08 basketball campaign at Marshall University breeds a season of change and excitement for the Thundering Herd men's program. A new coaching staff and several new faces will grace the sideline and hardwood in the Green & White this season as the Herd prepares for a difficult path ahead both in and out of Conference USA play. The challenges will be met head on by a mix of a young and old, familiar and new group of players and coaches hungry to make their mark at MU.More
MEMPHIS
Okay, let's not beat around the bush. Let's not ignore the "white elephant" in the room. Let's not tap dance around the subject. Let's even avoid the usual preseason coach-speak.
Let's just say it. Why, even University of Memphis head coach John Calipari even referenced it following the Tigers' NCAA Tournament Elite Eight loss to Ohio State last March.
When asked about his name linked to other jobs during the usual postseason coaching carrousel, the Tiger mentor hinted there may be better jobs than the one he has, but ...More
RICE
Anyone familiar with Rice basketball may not believe it, but it is actually happening: Autry Court, long over-due for a makeover, is actually being renovated. Thanks in large part to a $7 million gift given by former Owl basketball letterman Bobby Tudor and his wife Phoebe, construction started in August 2007 and should be completed in time for the start of the 2008-09 hoops campaign. Head men's basketball coach Willis Wilson and his players are ecstatic.More
SMU
The second season of the Matt Doherty era at SMU represents a new beginning. His first group included four seniors that saw a lot of floor time. The 2007-08 Mustangs return three players with extensive experience, two reserves and seven freshmen that as a group were rated as high as 24th nationally. More
SOUTHERN MISS
After its best season since 2000-2001, Southern Miss looks ready to build on last year's success under fourth-year head coach Larry Eustachy. Expectations and spirits are high as Eustachy boasts arguably his most talented team yet.More
TULANE
Over the past two seasons, the Tulane University men's basketball team has made a habit of proving people wrong and demonstrating to the members of Conference USA, and to the entire nation, that Green Wave is becoming a force to be reckoned with. More
TULSA
As Tulsa has gone from 11 wins in Doug Wojcik's first season as head coach to 20 victories in his second, it's obvious that the Golden Hurricane basketball program is well on its way to becoming what Tulsa fans and the college basketball world became accustomed to seeing in the 1980s, 1990s and early in this decade.More
UAB
The 2007-08 UAB men's basketball team is looking toward what could be a very memorable year. Head coach Mike Davis and his staff has put together what could possibly be one of the most talented teams to ever play at UAB. In addition to returning seven letterwinners from last year's team, the Blazers also welcome three of the top transfers in the country, along with the No. 9-ranked recruiting class in the nation according to CollegeHoopsUpdate.com. Combined, the Blazers should not only improve from last year's 15-16 record, but could also send a message to the nation that UAB basketball is back. More
UCF
Forgive Kirk Speraw for not being sentimental. Despite coaching for 14 seasons inside the old UCF Arena, the UCF mentor is not upset that his program will have a new home in 2007-08. The Knights' head coach actually has opposite emotions.
Since plans for a new venue were announced in 2005, Speraw has been anticipating UCF's first game at the new UCF Arena. The wait is almost over. The Knights will open the 10,000-seat facility on Nov. 11 versus national power Nevada. More
UTEP
The UTEP basketball program is on the road back to national prominence.
After earning three straight postseason tournaments bids from 2004-06 -- including trips to the "Big Dance" in 2004 and 2005 -- the Miners slipped to 14-17 last season. UTEP struggled with a general lack of size, strength and experience.
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