Conference USA Games of the Week

After another crazy week of C-USA basketball, we sit and sift through the rubble, searching for any survivors. At this point, UTEP, Memphis, and UAB seem to be the only ones alive, but more may be found in the coming weeks. This week's Games of the Week will take on a little different format than usual. There are plenty of big games this week, but just none really big enough to rank in any order. Thus, this week's games will be listed in the order that they will take place. Without further ado, here are this week's Games of the Week. 

Marshall (13-6, 1-3) @ Alabama-Birmingham (13-5, 3-2) 8:00 p.m. et, Wednesday January 26th

The Thundering Herd were extremely inconsistent last week as they knocked off nationally ranked West Virginia in a rivalry game Wednesday, before falling at home to ECU. The loss was absolutely disastrous, and now leaves the Herd at 1-3 with a ton of ground to make up. Birmingham isn't exactly the best place to start. UAB had three games last week, and handled ECU and SMU before losing a thriller in overtime on Saturday at the hands of Memphis.

OUTLOOK: The Blazers afford to drop two in a row at home, Blazers 74-65.

Central Florida (14-4, 1-4) @ Memphis (15-4, 4-1) 8:00 p.m. et, Wednesday January 26th

The Knights have completely fallen off the map after their incredible 14-0 start. They've dropped 4 in a row in conference, and nothing is getting any easier as their next three opponents are Memphis, UAB, and UTEP. Look for them to keep on sliding. Memphis has completely righted the ship after picking up two huge road wins at USM and UAB last week. The Tigers don't show any sign of letting up. 

OUTLOOK: UCF chose the wrong time to go cold, and its not getting any hotter. Tigers 71-59.

Alabama-Birmingham (13-5, 3-2) @ Central Florida (14-4, 1-4) 7:00 p.m. et, Saturday January 29th

This will prove to be a tough road game for UAB as the Knights will be desperate to get back to their winning ways. Unfortunately for UCF, they don't have the veteran leadership that is necessary to weather the storms that may come in a 30 game season. 

OUTLOOK: UCF's losing streak is extended to 6, Blazers 68-63. 

Memphis (15-4, 4-1) @ Marshall (13-6, 1-3) 7:00 p.m. et, Saturday January 29th

The Tigers have definitely picked a good time to get hot. They have won three in a row including the previously mentioned road games last week. Marshall isn't playing in any consistent fashion, and even though the Cam Henderson Center is a tough place to play, I don't see the Herd slowing this train down. 

OUTLOOK: Memphis stakes its claim as the best team in conference, Tigers 75-64.

UTEP (16-4, 4-1) @ Tulsa (10-9, 3-2) 8:00 p.m. et, Saturday January 29th

The Miners continue to win games as they dropped Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion on Saturday. It wasn't pretty, but on a cold shooting night then still found a way to get it done. That's what good teams do. Tulsa split games last, as they have done for the last three weeks, dropping one at Houston, before returning home to knock off Tulane. This has become a pretty good rivalry, and should be a good game in Tulsa.

OUTLOOK: Now is not the time to falter, Miners prevail, 68-66. 

BONUS GAMES:

Southern Mississippi (14-5, 3-3) @ East Carolina (11-8, 3-2) 7:00 p.m et

USM has the talent to win the league, but surely aren't playing like it. After losing a ton of close games, the Pirates are starting to win some. 

OUTLOOK: The Eagles need this one to stay relevant, USM 70-65. 

Tulane (12-6, 2-3) @ UTEP (16-4, 4-1) 9:05 p.m. et, Wednesday January 26th

The Miners are tied for first in conference while the Green Wave have lost three straight to land a game out of last.

OUTLOOK: Make that four in a row, Miners 79-65. 

Houston (11-7, 3-2) @East Carolina (11-8, 3-2) 6:00 p.m. et, Saturday January 29th

These two teams come in ranked 4th and 5th in the current C-USA power rankings. We'll find out a lot more about these two on Saturday. 

OUTLOOK: ECU proves they're better than they seem, Pirates 69-62. 

Its moving week number one in C-USA. The teams up top have a chance to create some space from the rest of the pack, and some of the middle of the road teams have a chance to continue to improve upon their records. Chances are none of that will happen, and things will get even crazier than they already are. Either way, note to UTEP, Memphis, and UAB: Now is not the time to start losing, take care of business!