USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson counts down to the start of the season, breaking down the projected field of 68.
The first word: It was August of last summer when Mike Davis took over a Texas Southern team that was hit hard by the NCAA for breaking rules — recruiting violations among others — and lying about imposing sanctions. The NCAA's punishment, which came close to levying the "death penalty," included a men's hoops postseason ban for the 2012-13 season.
So although the Tigers finished in first place in the SWAC with a 16-2 record, their season ended before tournament play -- while riding a 12-game winning streak. Now, free of the postseason ban, TSU will have much more to play for — with the opportunity to win the SWAC Tournament and potentially garner a No. 14 or No. 15 seed.
Read the rest: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/swac/2013/08/17/college-basketball-countdown-no-61-texas-southern/2664379/