Here’s our updated Big South Basketball Power Rankings with games played through February 23rd.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last week.
1. Coastal Carolina 21-8, 12-5 #144
no change
The top 5 teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack as we enter the final week of the regular season. The Chanticleers have now won 4 straight and 6 of their past 7 after wins over Campbell and Longwood this week. Coastal still has a shot at the #1 seed in the conference tournament, but needs some help. Even without the #1 seed, the Chants will be a tough out on their home court next week.
2. Charleston Southern 18-9, 12-4 #169
no change
The Buccaneers are on a tear having won 5 straight including wins over Radford and Coastal during this streak. Charleston Southern finishes up with Gardner-Webb and High Point this week, and if they win both they will clinch the #1 seed in the conference tournament.
3. High Point 21-7, 12-4 #134
no change
The Panthers also control their own destiny for the #1 seed entering next week’s Big South Tournament. The Panthers have a tough schedule this week though with road matchups at UNC-Asheville and Charleston Southern, High Point defeated both the Bulldogs and the Buccaneers in previous matchups this season.
4. Winthrop 16-11, 11-5 #155
no change
If it wasn’t for a one point loss at High Point a couple weeks ago, Winthrop would be riding a 6 game win streak and would be in the drivers seat for that #1 seed in the conference tournament. Even with that loss, the Eagles are in good position as they face Campbell and Longwood this week to conclude their regular season. Winthrop is just 4 wins shy of consecutive 20 win seasons for the first time since Gregg Marshall was their coach.
5. Radford 20-9, 11-5 #166
no change
Barring a late season collapse, Radford will improve its record for the 4th consecutive season under head coach Mike Jones. The Highlanders are a team to watch out for in next week’s tournament as they have the potential to be cutting down the nets in Conway.
6. Gardner-Webb 17-12, 9-7 #217
no change
After a season that started with such promise, the Runnin’ Bulldogs are limping down the stretch. Their only wins in the month of February are against Longwood, Campbell, and Liberty, teams that are a combined 8-30 in Big South play this year. Will Tim Craft be able to right the ship?
7. UNC-Asheville 13-14, 9-7 #231
no change
Asheville has lost 3 straight games as they enter the final week of the regular season. Andrew Rowsey continues his inconsistent sophomore season. Last year’s Big South Freshman of the Year scored just 3 points in 18 minutes against Winthrop last week.
8. Presbyterian 9-20, 5-11 #333
no change
The 5 conference wins are the most for the Blue Hose since the 2011-12 season. Behind likely Big South Freshman of the Year DeSean Murray, Presby will look for an upset against either Coastal or Winthrop in the season’s final week.
9. Longwood 8-21, 4-12 #316
no change
The Lancers have lost 20 games or more for the 4th consecutive season, and 8th time in their 11 years as a Division I school. They did win in the Vines Center for the first time ever with a 78-72 win over Liberty last Tuesday. Longwood is one of 2 teams with just 1 game to play this week as they host Campbell on Saturday.
10. Campbell 9-20, 3-13 #307
no change
What a mess down in Buies Creek. Campbell has lost 5 straight games and they haven’t been very competitive. Their last two outings, against Coastal and CSU, the Camels lost by a combined 53 points. Even with 2 more conference wins than Liberty, could Campbell be the worst team in the Big South?
11. Liberty 7-22, 1-15 #338
no change
The Flames lost to Longwood at home for the first time in 27 years and are now 3-22 against Division I opponents this season. Point guard Joe Retic returned to action against Gardner-Webb on Saturday after missing 12 games with a broken foot. Retic played 14 minutes against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, and finished with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 2 turnovers.
