Feb. 7, 2012

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2012 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 (four of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat in your conference is: Rice

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Austin Kubitza, Rice (right); Kevin Brandt, East Carolina; Dillon Napoleon, UAB

The top closer is: no player received more that one vote

The pitcher you least want to face is: Austin Kubitza, Rice

The most underrated pitcher is: no player received more than one vote

The best defensive catcher is: Zach Wright, East Carolina

The best catcher arm is: Zach Wright, East Carolina

The best defensive infielder is: Darnell Sweeney, UCF

The best infield arm is: no player received more than one vote

The best defensive outfielder is: Ronnie Richardson, UCF

The best outfield arm is: Kameron Brunty, Southern Miss

Rank the three best pure hitters: Michael Ratterree, Rice; D.J. Hicks, UCF (right); Jeremy Schaffer, Tulane

Rank the three biggest power threats: D.J. Hicks, UCF; Zach Wright, East Carolina; T.J. Rich, Memphis; Jeremy Schaffer, Tulane

The hitter you least want to face is: D.J. Hicks, UCF

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Jeremy Schaffer, Tulane

The most underrated hitter is: Kameron Brunty, Southern Miss

The best base-runner is: Ronnie Richardson, UCF

The best game coach is: (tie) Billy Godwin, East Carolina; and Brian Shoop, UAB

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: no coach received more than one vote

(photos courtesy of Rice & UCF Media Relations Offices)