Conference USA Basketball Championship Futures: Predictions & Top Contenders
Updated November 4, 2026
Updated November 4, 2026
Western Kentucky, Kennesaw State and Liberty enter the season among the leading candidates to win Conference USA, while Sam Houston and Middle Tennessee provide additional competition in a 10-team conference. With conference realignment reshaping the field and several teams returning important contributors, evaluating roster continuity, offensive efficiency and potential tournament matchups will be essential when making Conference USA championship predictions.
The preseason conference favorite returns leading scorer Teagan Moore.
The defending tournament champions return Trey Simpson and Amir Taylor.
Back-to-back regular-season conference champions, the Flames remain a major contender.
Coming off a 22-win season, the Bearkats return guards Justin Begg and Jacobe Coleman.
The Blue Raiders could challenge the favorites with improved offensive consistency.
The preseason conference favorite returns leading scorer Teagan Moore.
The defending tournament champions return Trey Simpson and Amir Taylor.
Back-to-back regular-season conference champions, the Flames remain a major contender.
Coming off a 22-win season, the Bearkats return guards Justin Begg and Jacobe Coleman.
The Blue Raiders could challenge the favorites with improved offensive consistency.
Western Kentucky is our prediction to win the 2027 Conference USA men's basketball tournament. The Hilltoppers offer an appealing combination of returning production, experienced guard play and offensive upside. Teagan Moore averaged 18.7 points per game last season while shooting 42.9% from three-point range, giving WKU a proven scoring option capable of creating offense in high-pressure tournament situations. Armelo Boone adds interior production after averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds as a freshman, while the return of LJ Hackman further strengthens the backcourt.
Western Kentucky's ability to take care of the basketball makes us confident in them in our college basketball picks for this year. The Hilltoppers recorded an estimated 11.9% turnover rate in 2025–26, ranking among the nation's strongest teams in that category. Protecting possessions becomes particularly valuable in closely contested elimination games, especially against opponents with different play styles. WKU's returning core, combined with additional frontcourt depth, creates a credible path toward improved offensive efficiency and a more balanced team.
Kennesaw State and Liberty represent the most significant challenges to the Hilltoppers. Kennesaw State brings championship experience and an aggressive rebounding approach, while Liberty finished the previous season with an impressive 60.5% effective field-goal percentage, demonstrating the effectiveness of its deliberate offensive system. Nevertheless, Western Kentucky's returning perimeter talent, low-turnover foundation and roster upside give the Hilltoppers a narrow edge in our Conference USA championship prediction.
Conference Realignment
The departures of Louisiana Tech and UTEP leave Conference USA with 10 teams playing an 18-game, home-and-away conference schedule, changing the competitive landscape and potentially influencing tournament seeding.
Contrasting Styles
Western Kentucky's pace and ball security, Liberty's deliberate and efficient offense, and Kennesaw State's emphasis on rebounding create distinctly different matchup challenges within the same tournament.
Tournament Experience
The championship returns to Propst Arena, where Kennesaw State won the 2026 title as the No. 6 seed. Experience handling consecutive elimination games at this neutral-site venue could influence another closely contested championship.
Veteran Leadership
Western Kentucky's returning guards, Kennesaw State's experienced forwards and Sam Houston's established backcourt could provide advantages over teams integrating larger numbers of new players.
