NORFOLK, Va. – Conference USA is in its second year of bonus play, a scheduling format where the men's basketball teams in the league are placed in three different groups after a full round-robin of competition. The Bonus Play schedule for men's basketball will be released on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Men's Basketball Bonus Play
Within the format, teams will conclude the first seven weeks of the scheduled conference season on Feb. 15. Teams will be placed in one of three groups based on conference standings through the first 14 games of league action and will be guaranteed seeding for the conference tournament within that group. The teams will be divided into two groups of five (1-5 and 6-10) and a group of four (11-14). During the final three weeks, teams will play within their respective grouping for the last four games of conference play. Home and away games within the groups will be determined by a preset formula. Each team is guaranteed two home games and two road contests within the Bonus Play schedule.
Once all 18 games have been completed, 12 teams, based on their overall conference record within their respective group, will be seeded in the conference tournament. For example, if a program lands in the second group (6-10), it will seed no higher than six and no lower than 10 in the tournament field.
Teams will play opponents in their respective groups beginning on Feb. 22.
For current Conference USA men's basketball standings, click here.
Women's Basketball Bonus Play
The Conference USA women's basketball programs had a similar strategy this year, announcing the last four games of the season after the non-conference season was complete. The ODU women's team was assigned bonus home games against Florida Atlantic (Feb. 26) and UAB (Mar. 5). The Monarch women will play at Marshall (Feb. 22) and at league leader Rice (Mar. 7). Like the men's programs, the top 12 regular-season finishers will advance to the conference tournament.
Seeding for the C-USA Women's Basketball Tournament is based on overall conference record at the completion of Bonus Play.
For current Conference USA women's basketball standings, click here.
Tickets for C-USA Tournament
The Conference USA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will be played March 11-14 in Frisco, Texas, at the Ford Center at the Star. Click here for ticket information.
Basketball Programs Near Bonus Play Portion of Schedule
