N andbetterthanexpected but still grim economic data

Expect big contributions from Will Coleman and former Duke standout Elliot Williams, who will add depth to the backcourt.Doc's Prediction: One and Done 3. UTEP (23-14) The Miners are trying to crash the party in Conference USA, and with the changes by the Tigers this might be their best chance to do that. With the addition of Arnett Moultrie, who made the Under-19 team last summer, the good times will roll once again in El Paso.Doc's Prediction: NIT 4. UAB (22-12) UAB has always been in the top half of the conference, yet for all that they manage to make the NIT almost every year. The Blazers return Aaron Johnson and Howard Crawfordthe team's leading returning scorerand welcome newcomer Dexter Fields and Heath Gameren from Australia.Doc's Prediction: NIT 5. Central Florida (17-14) A near-upset of Memphis, coupled with another winning season in Orlando, gives Knights fans reason to have hope.

Houston (21-12) The Cougars have done reasonably well in recent years under Tom Penders, earning a trip to the CBI in 2009, their second straight trip to that tournament. Returning to the Cougars is leading scorer Aubrey Coleman, who averaged 19.4 points in 2008-09, and Kelvin Lewis, who averaged 18 points for the Cougars.Doc's Prediction: No postseason 7. Tulane (14-17) Dave Dickerson has won more games than any Tulane coach in his first first five years, going 60-62 so far. Southern Miss (15-17) It has been 18 years since the Golden Eagles captured the hearts of fans in basketball. Don't expect anything else from the Golden Eagles despite standouts like R.L.

Horton and Andre Stephens, who will contribute to the team in 2009-10.Doc's Prediction: No postseason 9. Rice (10-22) The Owls return Connor Frizzille and Lucas Kuipers to Houston, after having solid starts to their careers for the Owls. Marshall (15-17) Marshall could surprise some people in the conference. Don't let the prediction fool you.Doc's Prediction: No postseason 11. Good thing about this is the players this year were recruited by Matt Doherty, so it's time to see what can transpire in Dallas.Doc's Prediction: No postseason 12. East Carolina (13-17) Strange thing I learned from Tuesday's football game between the Tigers and East Carolina is that Memphis football suckage is equivalent to East Carolina basketball. Same thing is going to happen in 2009-10 for the Pirates. And there you have it, the C-USA Power Rankings Let the debating begin..

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futuresrecovered, pointing to a slightly higher open on Thursday onreassuring results from JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N) andbetter-than-expected, but still grim, economic data. Stocks Global Markets Bonds Funds News ETFs News S&P 500 futures SPc1 shed 2.90 points and were abouteven with fair value, a formula to evaluate pricing taking intoaccount interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on thecontract. Dow Jones industrial average futures DJc1 rose 1point while Nasdaq 100 NDc1 futures slipped 9.25 points. (Editing by James Dalgleish) Stocks Global Markets Bonds Funds News ETFs News.