We’re now more than a month into the basketball season with the grind of conference play right around the corner. Here’s our updated Big South men’s basketball power rankings. This is based on all games played through December 22nd.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last ranking.
1. High Point 8-4, 2-0 #109
no change
The Panthers ran off 5 straight wins, including beating Longwood and Gardner-Webb to open Big South play, before falling to NC State and William & Mary in their last 2 games. Their 4 losses have come by a combined 13 points to the hands of the Wolfpack, Tribe, Texas Tech, and Georgia. Senior John Brown is averaging 19.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game solidifying his case as the conference’s preseason player of the year.
This week: 12/28 vs Methodist, 12/31 vs Radford, 1/2 @ Charleston Southern
2. Winthrop 8-3, 2-0 #199
no change
Winthrop’s 3 losses have come against NC State, Georgia, and Alabama, and they opened conference play with a road win at Charleston Southern while taking care of Presbyterian at home. The Eagles lead the Big South in scoring at 82.4 points per game led by Keon Johnson who is averaging 20 points per game.
This week: 12/28 vs Rio Grande, 12/31 vs Campbell, 1/2 @ Coastal Carolina
3. UNC-Asheville 7-5, 1-0 #144
1
UNCA had won 5 straight including a win over Georgetown before falling to Elon Monday night. The Bulldogs are 2nd in the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to 66.2 points per game. 6’5″ freshman Dwayne Sutton leads the team in scoring averaging 12.4 points per game and he is 2nd in the Big South in rebounding at 8.4 per game.
This week: 12/29 vs Furman, 12/31 @ Longwood, 1/2 @ Liberty
4. Radford 7-6, 1-1 #190
1
The Highlanders have a few really good wins (Georgetown, Penn State, UNC Wilmington) and no bad losses as they’ve played a tough schedule. Mike Jones’ squad has only faced one non-DI, and have squared off against 7 top 130 teams. Radford has been one of the surprise teams in the conference so far this season after losing the likes of Javonte Green and R.J. Price.
This week: 12/27 vs Central Penn, 12/31 @ High Point
5. Coastal Carolina 7-5, 1-1 #169
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The Chanticleers have won 4 of their past 5 games with their only loss coming by 6 points at Wake Forest. Cliff Ellis has his club making strides towards defending their back-to-back Big South Championships. They resume conference play with two big tests.
This week: 12/31 @ Gardner-Webb, 1/2 vs Winthrop
6. Gardner-Webb 5-8, 1-1 #207
1
The Runnin’ Bulldogs have alternated wins and losses since beating Southeast Louisiana on November 27th. Gardner-Webb has tested themselves frequently this season with games already against Iowa, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, George Washington, and LSU. Tyrell Nelson leads the way at 14.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
This week: 12/28 vs Mid Georgia State, 12/31 vs Coastal Carolina, 1/2 @ Longwood
7. Campbell 7-4, 1-1 #280
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Sure, the Camels have a nice record at 7-4, but their 5 wins against DI competition have come against teams that are 15-32 against Division I opponents. Campbell’s best win came in conference play against Coastal Carolina.
This week: 12/28 @ UNC-Wilmington, 12/31 @ Winthrop, 1/2 vs Presbyterian
8. Charleston Southern 4-8, 1-1 #296
3
The Buccaneers have lost 3 of 4 games since going on the road and knocking off the Flames with their only win coming against a sub-DI opponent. Freshman Armel Potter continues to lead the way with 14.4 points and 3.7 assists per game.
This week: 12/29 vs St. Andrews, 1/2 vs High Point
9. Presbyterian 5-7, 0-2 #337
no change
DeSean Murray leads the Big South in scoring at 21.5 points per game. He also leads the Blue Hose in field goal percentage (61%), rebounds (7.5), and steals (2.1). It hasn’t helped the team as they are 2-7 against Division I opponents.
This week: 12/27 @ Marquette, 1/2 @ Campbell
10. Longwood 3-10, 0-1 #317
no change
How did the Lancers beat Columbia back in November? It’s their only Division I win and the Lions are a pretty good team with a record of 8-5. Outside of that win, Longwood is 0-10 against DI teams including some bad losses to the likes of South Carolina State, Maine, and UMBC.
This week: 12/28 vs Cairn, 12/31 vs UNCA, 1/2 vs Gardner-Webb
11. Liberty 3-10, 0-2 #344
no change
The Flames have dropped 9 straight games and have yet to beat a Division I opponent this season. Liberty ranks near the bottom of the Big South in rebounding, turnovers, and scoring offense. Evan Maxwell continues to be a pleasant surprise as he ranks in the top 5 nationally in field goal percentage shooting 71% from the field.
This week: 12/27 @ VCU, 12/29 @ Notre Dame, 1/2 vs UNCA
