The Big South is OFFICIALLY BACK starting at 12:00 am EST on Nov. 2nd when High Point takes on Liberty. With two games against the Field of 68 Marathon and Radford on the West Coast, the Big South has the 2nd-most consecutive hours of live hoops, behind only the Horizon League.
With all 9 teams taking part in a Nov. 2nd opening-day game, it only makes sense to rank all 9 games by my excitement level and preview what I think will happen in each.
Score Predictions come from BasketUnderReview.com, Amazing Site, and Discord.
9. Pfeiffer at Longwood
Only one Big South team faces a non-D1 on opening day, and it’s the Longwood Lancers. There isn’t much to look forward to beyond seeing the Lancers on the court for a full 40 minutes of regular-season basketball. Longwood won the 3 most recent matchups against Pfeiffer, with Longwood’s lone loss coming in 2003. I expect the Lancers to take care of business and move to an early 1-0 start.
BURst Prediction: Longwood 106 - Pfeiffer 56
8. Gardner-Webb at UConn
Gardner Webb gets a similar fate to Longwood, as they were the only Big South team to schedule a HM/Top 25 program to begin their season in Storrs. Despite the talent difference, the facing a D1 opponent makes this one more entertaining. This game also becomes a homecoming of sorts for Sam Nosakhare, Jamias Ferere, and David Gaymon, who all played basketball at the former Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. I believe UConn takes the win, but Gardner-Webb shows on night one that they have improved since last season.
BURst Prediction: UConn 93 - Gardner Webb 57
7. Radford at San Francisco
A 10 pm EST tipoff on opening night of CBB play is due for the Radford Highlanders, and they travel to the Bay Area to face San Francisco. This is where the games really take it up a notch in excitement and watchability, but it lacks any regional spark to move it up the rankings. Radford comes off their exhibition games against Ferrum, in which they won 84-80. I think Radford delivers a better performance despite the cross-country travel, but they get outmatched by a likely WCC title contender.
BURst Prediction: San Francisco 83 - Radford 71
6. USC Upstate at East Carolina
The first of three very similar games begins with USC Upstate taking a trip to Minges Coliseum. The Spartans hope to follow up on what they did in the 23-24 season, when Upstate pulled off an early-season upset against ECU and started a streak of Big South teams winning in Minges during the non-conference. I do believe if ECU does take care of business against Upstate.
BURst Prediction: East Carolina 83 - USC Upstate 70
5. UNC Asheville at Richmond
Mike Morrell and Chris Mooney both entered this season as the longest tenured coach in their respective leagues. Despite that, neither coach was there for their lone matchup in 1997, which the Spiders took 71-55. I think Asheville’s returning core closes the talent gap to an A10 team like Richmond, which looked unimpressive in its two exhibitions this offseason. If an upset happens night one, I would expect it to be this one, but I still lean Richmond.
BURst Prediction: Richmond 81 - UNC Asheville 68
4. Charleston Southern at South Florida
The Bucs are finally heading to play Chris Mack, just at Mack’s new home in Tampa, Florida, at USF. The Bucs offense has been in full force this offseason, scoring 94 points, but the defense has had woes, allowing 110 to Queens. This game will come down to whether CSU’s defense can show up or if South Florida can mesh early and take advantage of their talent discrepancy. I think South Florida will do what’s expected, but I expect it to be complete cinema regardless.
BURst Prediction: South Florida 93 - Charleston Southern 74
3. Liberty vs High Point - FO68 Marathon
For the first time since 2016, we will have a midnight tip-off basketball thanks to Jeff Goodman and the crew at the Field of 68. High Point, coming off one of the best Big South seasons in history capped off with an upset over Wisconsin, is now primed to face a former Big South foe and perennial MM program in Liberty. The Panthers operate differently, even compared to a program of Liberty’s stature. I envision the Panthers going blow for blow with the Flames and getting a good, but close win.
BURst Prediction: High Point 79 - Liberty 71
2. Queens vs Winthrop - FO68 Marathon
The other games presented by the Field of 68 are a rematch of last year’s openers with Queens and Winthrop. Last season, the Eagles were the #1 team in the country for around 2-3 hours after their 81-74 win over the Royals. Queens will make the tournament at season’s end and return key pieces, including Jordan Watford. The Eagles and Queens both had impressive scrimmage moments, with Queens even beating FSU. The Eagles are 5-0, and I do expect them to pick up a 6th on Monday morning.
BURst Prediction: Queens 83 - Winthrop 81
1. St Thomas at Presbyterian
Many will have their eyes on Rock Hill, and rightfully so with that amazing slate, but a gem is being overlooked in Clinton, SC. The Tommies from St. Thomas make the trip to Clinton to face the Blue Hose coming off a close loss to Clemson to end the preseason. Presbyterian can return nearly their entire roster aside from Jonah Pierce and Josh Pickett; that returning continuity will play a big factor early in the season, and it makes me lean toward the Blue Hose in this one.
BURst Prediction: St Thomas 76 - Presbyterian 72