Updated Week 8 Power Rankings as conference play is right around the corner. All rankings in parenthesis are KenPom.com rankings.


 South:
1. (#142)Gardner-Webb (8-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 83-54 Spalding


This week: No games scheduled

The Runnin’ Bulldogs finish their non-conference slate with one of the more impressive starts in the conference..

2. (#211)Coastal Carolina (4-6)
Last week’s results:
L, 60-51 College of Charleston


This week:

  • 12/30 vs Greensboro College 7pm

Coastal drops their contest with Charleston after knocking off Clemson. 

3. (#125)UNC Asheville (5-7)
Last week’s results:
W, 72-65 St John’s


This week:

  • 12/30 vs Bluefield 2pm
  • 1/2 @ (#101)Charlotte 7:30 pm

Asheville is really turning it on as conference play approaches after arguably the most impressive conference victory this season over St John’s.

4. (#147)Charleston Southern (4-6)
Last week’s results:
No games played


This week:

  • 12/29 vs Virginia Intermont 5:30 pm

The Buccaneers should get one more easy win before starting conference play.

5. (#235)Winthrop (5-5)
Last week’s results:
W, 65-55 Auburn


This week:

  • 12/30 vs (#269)Hampton 2pm
  • 1/2 vs (#222)North Carolina Central 7pm

Winthrop continues to play well with their win over Auburn. 2 more good tests this week against Hampton and NC Central.

6. (#340)Presbyterian (2-10)
Last week’s results:
L, 78-70 App State


This week:

  • 12/29 @ (#201)South Carolina 1pm
  • 1/1 vs Montreat 7pm

The Blue Hose are still seeking their first D1 win.

North:
1. (#271)VMI (4-7)
Last week’s results:
L, 76-67 George Washington


This week:

  • 1/2 vs Shenandoah 7pm

VMI drops their contest with George Washington. The Keydets have one more warmup game against Shenandoah prior to conference play beginning.

2. (#266)High Point (4-6)
Last week’s results:
L, 73-70 Eastern Kentucky


This week:

  • 12/28 vs (#297)Chattanooga 7pm

High Point with a close contest they drop to Eastern Kentucky.

3. (#263)Radford (5-7)
Last week’s results:
L, 72-62 West Virginia


This week:

  • 12/29 vs Central Pennsylvania 2pm
  • 1/2 vs (#268)North Carolina A&T 7pm

The Highlanders drop a close contest to West Virginia. 2 more matchups for Radford prior to conference play.

4. (#284)Campbell (3-9)
Last week’s results:
L, 72-49 Seattle


This week:

  • 12/29 vs (#249)UNC Wilmington 1pm
  • 1/2 @ (#128)East Carolina 7pm

Looks like Campbell was more intrigued by sight seeing in the Pacific Northwest than playing basketball.
 
5. (#346)Longwood (3-10)
Last week’s results:
L, 93-56 VCU


This week:

  • 12/31 vs (#319)Fairleigh Dickinson 2pm

The Lancers lost to in state foe VCU, and play host to Fairleigh Dickinson of the Northeast Conference this week prior to conference play beginning. Longwood will be competing for their first time for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament since they joined Division 1.

6. (#312)Liberty (2-10)
Last week’s results:
W, 81-63 Milligan


This week:

  • 12/28 vs Union 7pm
  • 12/31 @ (#202)Western Carolina 2pm

Liberty with 1 last chance at a Division 1 win in 2012.

Combined Power Rankings:
1. Gardner-Webb
2. Coastal Carolina
3. UNC Asheville
4. Charleston Southern
5. Winthrop
6. VMI
7. High Point 
8. Radford
9.  Campbell
10. Longwood
11. Presbyterian
12. Liberty