Conference USA needs to look at how it conducts its post-season voting for all-league teams.

Its release earlier this week of the all-conference teams had several glaring omissions, including the absence of a player from either East Carolina or Memphis on the first team offense and defense. East Carolina and Memphis finished 6-2 in the East Division, tied for second behind division winner Central Florida.

To borrow a line from the FedEx/Paintball commercial, `How could that happen?’

Unfortunately, several who vote for the all-conference teams are not being responsible and thorough, which is a travesty for those players who are deserving. Memphis had an offensive lineman, Brandon Pearce, who earned first-team honors during the preseason, but was not on either the first or second teams.

While it had no player make first- or second-team defense, East Carolina wasn’t shut out. Kick-return specialist Chris Johnson earned first-team Special Teams recognition.

And the omission of Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins from the second-team offense seemed a mistake, too. Rice’s Chase Clements earned a spot on the second team. He had respectable numbers (3,377 yards, 29 touchdowns, 16 interceptions), but the Owls finished 3-9. Hankins basically matched Clements’ production (2,939 yards, 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) and did so in two fewer games, while being largely responsible for the U of M’s second-half march to a bowl game.

C-USA will attempt to correct the omissions with its second all-conference team, this one voted on by coaches. It will be released next week.

But why confuse the public with two teams. Mix the voting of willing, committed media members in league cities with the coaches’ input and announce one representative team. That would go a long way toward solving the problem and making sure deserving players aren’t overlooked.