The Big South men’s basketball season is back in just a few months, and with it comes the usual enthusiasm and speculation surrounding the nine-member universities as they get ready to tip things off. The Big South, a conference that has flown up the various conference ranking algorithms in recent seasons, was a hotly contested conference in which fifth-seeded Longwood ended up securing the conference title.
With the recent influx of playing and coaching talent pouring into the conference, intrigue in the Big South has arguably never been this prominent. Here are the nine-member universities and where they might finish in March.
1. High Point Panthers
It’s hard to believe that High Point, with its immense talent and stature, has never made an NCAA Tournament appearance. That probably will change after this year, though, as they somehow kept most of their incredible players. French point guard Kezza Giffa is a Power-Five level player, and his partnership with Trae Benham and Kimani Hamilton keeps other schools up at night. A one-point loss to Longwood in the conference tournament’s semifinals kept them out of March Madness.
All this talent on the court matches the coaching skills of Alan Huss, who excelled in his first year at the school. High Point will not only win the conference regular season once again, but if everyone stays healthy and consistent, the Panthers will finally win the tournament and enter March Madness.
2. Longwood Lancers
Longwood, the reigning tournament champions of the Big South, lost key players in Walyn Napper, John-John Massie and Szymon Zapala. The Lancers did extremely well in replacing them in the transfer portal and high school recruiting class.
Colby Garland is a quality young player who played in 28 games for Drake last season. DJ Jefferson is a former four-star recruit who committed to Tennessee two years ago. Coach Griff Aldrich has shown immense skill in coaching and recruiting, something the Lancers are reaping the fruit of every season. Forward Michael Christmas is back for his final year of eligibility and was by far the best shooter on the team last campaign.
The Lancers have shown tremendous progress during Aldrich’s time at the helm, including two appearances to the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons and three consecutive 20-win seasons.
3. UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Naturally, losing Drew Pember will play a huge factor in the performances of UNC Asheville this year. For the Bulldogs, there is still good news. Guards Fletcher Abee and Josh Banks are back for their fifth year, and Toyaz Solomon remains in the frontcourt for his senior year. Asheville lost emphatically in the Big South tournament championship game by Longwood in 2023-24. The 2022-23 tournament champions, UNC Asheville and coach Mike Morrell have built a consistent winning program, and even with the departure of one of the greatest Big South players ever in Drew Pember, the Bulldogs will be fine.
4. Winthrop Eagles
The Eagles are the most historically successful team in Big South men’s basketball, though they haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2021. Although the Eagles finished fourth in the regular season, they stuck to the recent theme of an early elimination in the tournament.
Forward Kelton Talford is one of the best players in the conference. Winthrop should feel ecstatic that he has stayed, as he finished fourth in the conference in points per game and second in rebounding last campaign. The rest of the team also is mostly back from last season, and the experience could decide games down the stretch.
5. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Gardner-Webb had what most would call a successful season in 2023-24, finishing third in a wide-open conference. The Runnin’ Bulldogs still have a ways to go if they want to punch a ticket to March Madness, but keeping a hold of forwards Ademide Badmus and Isaiah Richards certainly doesn’t hurt. The departures of Julien Soumaoro, Quest Aldridge and DQ Nicholas have opened a gaping hole in the backcourt. Even with the new pieces they added, it will be difficult for Gardner-Webb to finish third again.
6. Radford Highlanders
Radford had a surprising season last year but for all the wrong reasons. With most polls and experts suggesting the Highlanders would finish near the middle, Radford sputtered at the beginning of Big South play and finished dead last. Another squad with a lot of turnover, Radford lost key players but did well in replacing them. Adding Isaiah Gaines from FAU will pay dividends this season, as the former Panhandle player of the year in high school made 37 appearances for the Owls. This season should go smoother for the Highlanders, but they won’t challenge for the top.
7. Presbyterian Blue Hose
The Blue Hose held on to quality players like guard Kory Mincy and power forward Jonah Pierce in the offseason, but there’s still lots of room to grow for the team as a collective. Presbyterian was the epitome of average last season, as they finished fourth in the Big South in scoring and sixth in defense. Coach Quinton Ferrell enters his fifth year at the helm of Presbyterian, his alma mater, where he has built a team capable of scrapping it out with the bigger schools in the conference. Presbyterian College made the jump to Division I in 2007 and is still regarded as the smallest Division I school in the country with a student body of around 1,000 students.
8. USC Upstate Spartans
By far the toughest team to gauge its talent, USC Upstate has only one returning player. Since it often takes time for new players to gel together, USC Upstate might struggle to begin the season. Its tough non-conference schedule could either be a blessing or a curse. Kanye Jones is a very impressive signing for USC Upstate. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged eight points and two rebounds per game for Boston College last season. Unfortunately for the Spartan faithful, this season will probably be another disappointing one. Any chance of a run for the title would be highly unlikely.
9. Charleston Southern Buccaneers
The Big South is one of the more transfer heavy conferences. Charleston Southern stuck to that script, having only five returning players. The Buccaneers finished seventh in the Big South last regular season and lost in the first round of the Big South Tournament against UNC Asheville. Despite keeping star guards Taje’ Kelly and A’lahn Sumler, they did not address their lack of talent in the frontcourt. Coach Saah Nimley is effective with his heavy guard lineups, but with the additions that the rest of the league, CSU will struggle defensively.
