Expectations are skyrocketing for the UAB men’s basketball team and Dallas County High School alumnus William Lee going into the 2015-2016 season.

The Hornets were picked as the favorite to win Conference USA by the league’s coaches earlier this week and Lee was named to the All-Conference Team.

Lee, a sophomore, averaged 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds a game for UAB last season. He scored 14 points as No. 14 seed UAB stunned No. 3 seed Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament, including hitting the game deciding shot in the final minute.

After a slow start due to injuries, Lee scored in double figures in 10 of the Blazers’ last 12 games last season.

Lee is the only non-junior or senior on the all-conference team. UAB senior Robert Brown also made the team.

The Blazers received 11 first place votes, while second place Old Dominion received only three. No other team in the conference received a first place vote.

UAB plays its season opener Nov. 13 at Auburn.