Here’s our updated Big South Basketball Power Rankings with games played through February 1st.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last week.
1. High Point 17-5, 8-2 #129
1
The Panthers had just one game this week as they beat Liberty, 72-53. Devante Wallace led High Point with 19 points on 5/7 3-point shooting. Adam Weary added 17 points off the bench. Preseason Big South Player of the Year was held to 7 points, his lowest output all season.
2. Radford 16-7, 7-3 #154
2
The Highlanders are on a scary hot streak right now. Mike Jones’ club has won 7 straight including wins over High Point, Charleston Southern, and 2 over Winthrop. If they didn’t open conference play with 3 straight losses, they would be 1st in these power rankings. They have a chance to prove they deserve the #1 spot this week with matchups at High Point and at home against Charleston Southern.
3. Charleston Southern 13-8, 7-3 #208
2
Saah Nimley’s streak of 30+ point performances ended in the Bucs 84-77 loss to Radford. Nimley scored 26 points in the game. Charleston Southern shot just 37% from the field while the Highlanders connected on 10 of their 22 3-point attempts. CSU also won at Liberty.
4. Winthrop 11-10, 6-4 #190
1
Big road win for Winthrop knocking off Coastal Carolina earlier in the week. Keon Moore led the way with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Moore also scored 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to beat the red-hot Radford Highlanders. No rest for the weary, Winthrop will conclude a stretch of 3 games in 5 days when they host CSU Monday night, and Liberty Wednesday night.
5. Gardner-Webb 14-9, 6-4 #203
2
Gardner-Webb with a season sweep over defending champ Coastal Carolina, but a loss to Campbell and 3 double-digit conference losses to go with it. Such has been the up and down season for the Runnin’ Bulldogs and head coach Tim Craft. Tyrell Nelson’s offensive board and tip in with 2 seconds left pushed GWU over Coastal, 66-64, on Saturday.
6. UNC-Asheville 11-10, 7-3 #207
no change
Yes, the 7-3 conference record is sexy, but 4 wins came against Liberty, Campbell, and Longwood who are a combined 5-25 in Big South play. The schedule does balance out though as 5 of their final 8 games come against the top half of the conference beginning Tuesday night at Coastal Carolina.
7. Coastal Carolina 15-7, 6-4 #162
4
Talk about a tailspin. Who would have thought the defending conference champions would lose 4 out of 5 conference games? I don’t think anyone, especially after their 14-3 start to the season which included a 5-0 start in Big South play. Two tough home matchups this week for the Chanticleers when UNCA and High Point pay visits to Conway.
8. Presbyterian 7-16, 3-7 #337
no change
Can you have a tie for 8th? No? Presbyterian and Longwood each have identical overall and Big South records, and they split the season series. We’ll give the slightest edge to the Blue Hose for now, but if they stumble against either Campbell or Liberty this week, the Lancers would have the opportunity to jump PC.
9. Longwood 7-16, 3-7 #312
no change
Leron Fisher scored 26 points to lead Longwood to a 71-67 victory over Presbyterian. Quincy Taylor chipped in 14 points and 4 rebounds. Taylor is shooting 50% from behind the arc this season! That mark puts him in a tie for 2nd place in all of Division I basketball.
10. Campbell 8-15, 2-8 #261
no change
One game for the Camels this week, a 70-63 loss at UNC-Asheville. It’s hard to beat an opponent who shoots 55% from the field and out rebounds you as the Bulldogs did. A great chance at a win for Campbell Tuesday night as they host Presbyterian.
11. Liberty 6-17, 0-10 #340
no change
Two more losses, this week to High Point and Charleston Southern, as the Flames fall to 0-10 in conference play and 2-17 against Division I opponents this season. It won’t be any easier when Liberty travels to Rock Hill, SC to face Winthrop. The Flames haven’t won in Rock Hill since 2004 and are 1-17 there since 1998.
