Feb. 7, 2011

click here for coaches' Conference USA preseason poll

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at Conference USA (six of nine coaches responded).

The team to beat is: *Rice

Rank the top three starting pitchers: *Seth Maness, East Carolina; *Todd McInnis, Southern Miss; Taylor Wall, Rice

The top closer is: *Collin Cargill, Southern Miss (pictured right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Todd McInnis, Southern Miss

The most underrated pitcher is: Taylor Wall, Rice

The best defensive catcher is: Beau Taylor, UCF

The best catcher arm is: Jeremy Schaffer, Tulane

The best defensive infielder is: *Anthony Rendon, Rice

The best infield arm is: B.A. Vollmuth, Southern Miss

The best defensive outfielder is: (tie) Jamal Austin, UAB; and Drew Martinez, Memphis

The best outfield arm is: Jeremy Rathjen, Rice

Rank the three best pure hitters: *Anthony Rendon, Rice (pictured right); B.A. Vollmuth, Southern Miss; Chad Zurcher, Memphis

Rank the three biggest power threats: *Anthony Rendon, Rice; B.A. Vollmuth, Southern Miss; Victor Gomez, Marshall

The hitter you least want to face is: *Anthony Rendon, Rice

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Anthony Rendon, Rice

The most underrated hitter is: Drew Martinez, Memphis

The best base-runner is: Jamal Austin, UAB

The best game coach is: Wayne Graham, Rice

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: (tie) David Pierce, Rice; and Chad Sutter, Tulane

*unanimous selection

(photos courtesy of Rice and Southern Miss Media Relations Offices)