Oct 28, 2001

CHICAGO (AP) - Memphis was picked to win Conference USA, and Cincinnati guard Steve Logan was tabbed as the league's best player in a preseason poll of conference coaches.

The Tigers, with a solid returning core and highly touted freshman class that includes consensus high school player of the year Dajuan Wagner, were picked to win the National Division, it was announced Sunday.

"Everybody's picked us to do all these things. So far we've done nothing," said second-year coach John Calipari, who guided Memphis to a 21-15 record last season.

Memphis forward Kelly Wise, the only player to average double figures in points and rebounds in the conference last season, also made the all-league preseason team.

Cincinnati, which has won at least a share of the last seven C-USA regular season titles, was picked to win the American Division.

Logan, who played shooting guard for the Bearcats last season, will be moved back to the point, where he played his first two years.

"It really doesn't matter to me where I play," said Logan, who averaged 17.6 points and shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range last year. "I just want to lead this team and help it get better."

Charlotte, led by preseason selection Jobey Thomas, was picked to finish second. Marquette was picked third and Louisville, with new coach Rick Pitino, was picked fourth.

"I have no complaints about the work level and the talent on this team," Pitino said. "It'll be a struggle. We're small and we have a lot of freshmen, but we'll be entertaining."

Saint Louis, DePaul and East Carolina rounded out the American.

South Florida, led by all-league preseason picks B.B. Waldon and Altron Jackson, was picked second in the National, while UAB was third and Southern Miss fourth. Conference newcomer TCU, led by coach Billy Tubbs was slated fifth, followed by Houston and Tulane.