2020 C-USA Preview: USM, FAU Headline The Show Again
Season Preview Conference USA might not have a team in our Top 25 Rankings, but that certainly doesn’t mean the league is without intrigue entering the 2020 campaign.
There’s plenty of that.
Southern Mississippi and Florida Atlantic once again carried the torch last season, both making the NCAA tournament, with the Golden Eagles reaching the Baton Rouge Regional title game. Meanwhile, perennial power Rice struggled in Matt Bragga’s first season at the helm, going 26-33 overall and finishing seventh in C-USA with a 14-16 league record.
What will change in 2020?
Southern Miss and FAU will be back to its usual ways. The Golden Eagles have some holes to fill with the departures of some key players and hitting coach Chad Caillet. But they also have some bonafide studs back in the saddle on the mound. Meanwhile, FAU has plenty of talented position players back from last year’s team.
Old Dominion and FIU look to surge in the conference standings this spring, while Louisiana Tech should continue to have success under head coach Lane Burroughs. Tyler Follis and Jonathan Fincher spearhead the pitching staff, while the offense will have plenty of intriguing options, including expected fab freshman Jorge Corona.
Without further ado, let’s take an in-depth look at Conference USA in 2020.
Our conference preview includes:
- Projected Order of Finish
- Preseason Awards
- Top Prospects, 2020 Draft
- Top Prospects, 2021 Draft
- Top Freshmen
- Team by Team Breakdowns
Projected Standings
Bold indicates 2019 regional team, and records are from 2019. Teams are listed in order of projected 2020 finish.
| CONFERENCE | OVERALL | |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | 20-10 | 40-21 |
| Florida Atlantic | 22-8 | 41-21 |
| Louisiana Tech | 17-13 | 34-24 |
| Rice | 14-16 | 26-33 |
| Old Dominion | 16-14 | 35-21 |
| FIU | 12-18 | 23-32 |
| Western Kentucky | 16-13 | 26-29 |
| Charlotte | 11-18 | 21-31 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-19 | 18-37 |
| UTSA | 13-16 | 28-30 |
| UAB | 12-18 | 27-29 |
| Marshall | 14-15 | 29-28 |
Projected Regional Teams (2): Southern Miss, Florida Atlantic
Player of the Year: Trei Cruz, Rice
Pitcher of the Year: Logan Allen, LHP, Florida International
Freshman of the Year: Dustin Dickerson, SS/RHP, Southern Miss
Check out our 4,500 word C-USA preview below!
