Here’s our updated Big South men’s basketball power rankings based on games played through January 7th.

Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last ranking.

1. UNC-Asheville 11-6, 3-1 #115

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After dropping their conference opener at Radford in overtime, the Bulldogs have shown that they fully intend on defending their Big South Championship this season. Asheville has reeled off 3 straight wins, each one more impressive than the previous one, including Saturday’s 30 point drubbing of High Point. Nick McDevitt has remade this team behind Ahmad Thomas and MaCio Teague who are leading the way.

This week: 1/11 vs Longwood, 1/14 @ Charleston Southern

2. Winthrop 11-4, 3-1 #137

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The Big South’s top scoring offense has scored 80 or more points in each of their first 4 conference games. The Eagles own the #2 and #3 scorers in the league as Keon Johnson is averaging 21.3 points per game and Xavier Cooks is averaging 16.1. Pat Kelsey’s squad is not one-dimensional either as they also get after it on the defensive end, leading the Big South in field goal percentage defense.

This week: 1/11 vs Presbyterian, 1/14 @ Campbell

3. Radford 8-8, 3-1 #250

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One of the biggest surprises of the first two weeks of conference play has been the Highlanders who knocked off Asheville and Winthrop in their first 2 games. Radford has done it primarily with hot 3-point shooting. They are shooting 37.4% from 3 on the season, but in their 4 conference games, the Highlanders are shooting 47.8% from 3.

This week: 1/11 @ Charleston Southern, 1/14 vs Liberty

4. Liberty 8-9, 3-1 #253

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The Flames have a winning record in Big South play after 4 games for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Liberty leads the Big South in scoring defense despite having played 3 of the top 5 scoring offenses in the league. The Flames hit the road this week for 2 tough road contests.

This week: 1/11 @ High Point, 1/14 @ Radford

5. Gardner-Webb 9-8, 2-2 #198

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The Runnin’ Bulldogs dropped their first two league games before rebounding with wins over Radford and Charleston Southern. Sophomore guard LaQuincy Rideau is making his case for an all-conference selection at season end. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a Big South leading 5.1 assists per game.

This week: 1/11 vs Campbell, 1/14 @ Longwood

6. Longwood 6-9, 3-1 #341

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The Lancers have been the surprise of the Big South through the first two weeks of conference play. Longwood was the lone unbeaten, at 3-0, before losing at Winthrop on Saturday. Longwood defeated Campbell, High Point, and Presbyterian before their trek to face the Eagles this past weekend. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Lancers as they head to Asheville on Wednesday before hosting Gardner-Webb Saturday.

This week: 1/11 @ UNC Asheville, 1/14 vs Gardner-Webb

7. Campbell 10-7, 2-2 #306

   no change

The Camels have played one of the easiest schedules through their first 4 games of conference play, having defeated Presbyterian and Charleston Southern at home, with losses at Longwood and Liberty. Chris Clemons continues to lead the conference in scoring at 23.3 points per game. Campbell is the 2nd best scoring offense in the Big South.

This week: 1/11 @ Gardner-Webb, 1/14 vs Winthrop

8. High Point 7-9, 1-3 #302

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The Panthers opened conference play with a win over Gardner-Webb, but has dropped 3 straight since then including an 88-58 blowout loss at UNC Asheville on Saturday. With two home games this week, High Point will try to work their way back into the mix of the Big South’s competitors.

This week: 1/11 vs Liberty, 1/14 vs Presbyterian

9. Charleston Southern 4-11, 0-4 #323

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The Buccaneers have now lost 7 straight, including their first 4 league games. CSU has allowed 84 points per game in their 4 conference games. They will look to get in the win column with 2 home games this week.

This week: 1/11 vs Radford, 1/14 vs UNC Asheville

10. Presbyterian 4-11, 0-4 #349

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The Blue Hose opened Big South play with 4 consecutive losses. Other than their 3 point loss at Longwood, Presby wasn’t very competitive, losing each of their other 3 games by double figures.

This week: 1/11 @ Winthrop, 1/14 @ High Point