CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews
BIG SOUTH
For what seems like the past 15 years, John Brown has been making headlines and throwing down Top Ten plays for the High Point Panthers. Yet, despite having one of the most exciting mid-major players in the nation, and at least finishing in a tie for four straight conference regular season titles, High Point failed to break through and advance to their first ever NCAA Tournament. Brown is now gone, and his team appears likely to take a step backwards in the standings after qualifying for the NIT last season. UNC-Asheville was the school that took the automatic bid last year, following a third place regular season finish. The Bulldogs earned a 15 seed and fell in their first game to eventual national champion Villanova. Winthrop, despite 23 wins, did not play in any postseason tournament. The only other Big South team that did play in the postseason was Coastal Carolina, earning an invite to the CIT and advancing to the semifinals. The Chanticleers will not repeat that this season out of the Big South, as they were the only team to switch conferences during this past offseason, heading over to the Sun Belt in order to elevate their football program to the FBS level.
This season, Winthrop and UNC-Asheville both figure to be back in the hunt for the conference championship. The surprise team that could move up to challenge the top two is Liberty. The Flames have a deadly collection of three-point shooters who should be able to keep their team in most games against conference competition. And if they get hot at the right time, a run through the conference tournament to the NCAAs would not shock us at all. All three contenders, along with the rest of the league, will have something extra to play for this season as well. The Big South has revised its conference tournament format, and the regular season champion will host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, followed by the highest remaining seed hosting the title game. Given the parity we have seen in this conference the past few seasons, this added bonus could make this season more fun to watch than ever.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Winthrop – With the returns of Keon Johnson and Xavier Cooks, plus a deep roster of experienced players, the Eagles seem poised to make up for both the offseason loss of Jimmy Gavin’s 18.7 points per game and the remaining heartache from falling in last year’s conference tournament title game.
2. Liberty – The Flames could be very dangerous with four starters returning, three of whom shot over 35% from beyond the arc. The biggest issue will be size down low after center Evan Maxwell decided to transfer to Kansas.
3. UNC-Asheville – MaCio Teague has a chance to be the conference’s top freshman player, but losing three starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team could be tough to make up for.
4. Campbell – Defending Big South Rookie of the Year Chris Clemons can take over the game from the point guard position, but the Camels need to develop other pieces around him in order to challenge the league leaders.
5. Gardner-Webb – The inside combination of forward Tyrell Nelson and 6-10, 240-pound center L’Hassane Niangane will keep them competitive, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs need to find a way to make up for losing three starters from last season’s 17-16 team.
6. High Point – John Brown is gone, along with three other starters. Head coach Scott Cherry will need to rely on transfers if this team has any chance at staying near the top, notably Brandon Kamga from Northeastern and Jahaad Proctor from Iona.
7. Charleston Southern – Armel Potter and Raemond Robinson should form a solid pairing at the guard positions, but a lack of depth and size will likely prevent the Buccaneers from challenging for the upper division.
8. Presbyterian – Sophomore DeSean Murray led the Big South in scoring last season, then promptly transferred to Auburn. This looks like it will be another long year.
9. Radford – The Highlanders could be in store for a tough season with only one starter and no double-digit scorers back from last year.
10. Longwood – The Lancers lost 23 games last year, and then lost their top three scorers after the season ended. Losing less than 23 games might be an accomplishment this time around.