Updated Week 9 Power Rankings as conference play is set to begin. All rankings in parenthesis are KenPom.com rankings.


 South:
1. (#148)Gardner-Webb (8-6)
Last week’s results:
No games played


This week: 

  • 1/5 @ Campbell 3:30
  • 1/9 vs UNC Asheville 7pm

We’ll learn real quick how good the Runnin’ Bulldogs really are as they take on Campbell and defending conference champion Asheville.

2. (#207)Coastal Carolina (5-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 85-65 Greensboro College


This week:

  • 1/5 @ Longwood
  • 1/9 vs Presbyterian

Coastal with 2 “near” cellar-dwellers to start off conference play.

3. (#124)UNC Asheville (6-8)
Last week’s results:
W, 95-66 Bluefield
L, 71-63 Charlotte (OT)


This week:

  • 1/5 @ Liberty 6pm
  • 1/9 @ Gardner-Webb 7pm

Asheville is playing very well right now as they look to defend their 2 straight conference championships.

4. (#154)Charleston Southern (5-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 105-59 Virginia Intermont


This week:

  • 1/5 @ Radford 4pm
  • 1/9 vs Winthrop 7:30

CSU ready for conference play.

5. (#221)Winthrop (6-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 50-43 Hampton
L, 64-57 NC Central


This week:

  • 1/5 vs High Point 2pm
  • 1/9 @ Charleston Southern 7:30

The Eagles and Pat Kelsey look to reclaim their Big South dominance.

6. (#340)Presbyterian (3-11)
Last week’s results:
L, 76-60 South Carolina
W, 77-35 Montreat


This week:

  • 1/5 vs VMI 7pm
  • 1/9 @ Coastal Carolina

Presbyterian is the only Big South team left without a Division I win.

North:
1. (#268)VMI (5-7)
Last week’s results:
W, 110-54 Shenandoah


This week:

  • 1/5 @ Presbyterian 7pm
  • 1/9 vs Liberty 7pm

The Keydets had a solid non-conference showing.

2. (#266)High Point (5-7)
Last week’s results:
L, 68-61 Chattanooga
W, 76-74 Austin Peay


This week:

  • 1/5 @ Winthrop 2pm
  • 1/9 @ Radford 7pm

High Point Freshman sensation John Brown now sets his eyes on Big South Conference play.

3. (#277)Campbell (5-9)
Last week’s results:
W, 72-60 UNC Wilmington
W, 86-81 East Carolina (OT)


This week:

  • 1/5 vs Gardner-Webb 3:30
  • 1/9 @ Longwood 7pm

Campbell has the best talent in the North Division, but will it lead the Camels to a Division championship? They have turned it around the past week or so.

4. (#258)Radford (6-8)
Last week’s results:
W, 95-68 Central Pennsylvania
L, 81-77 NC A&T


This week:

  • 1/5 vs Charleston Southern 4pm
  • 1/9 vs High Point 7pm

Expect Radford to contend in the North.
 
5. (#345)Longwood (3-11)
Last week’s results:
L, 79-71 Fairleigh Dickinson


This week:

  • 1/5 vs Coastal Carolina 2pm
  • 1/9 vs Campbell 7pm

You can bet the Lancers will be amped up for their conference opener.

6. (#303)Liberty (4-10)
Last week’s results:
W, 104-67 Union
W, 63-62 Western Carolina


This week:

  • 1/5 vs UNC Asheville
  • 1/9 @ VMI 7pm

Liberty with 3 consecutive wins to close out 2012.

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