Big South Rankings 1-2-2025
My Big South Rankings headed into conference play
We have made it to the new year but more importantly, we have made it to Big South non conference play.
This means it’s the perfect time to rate where ever team is in the conference in my slightly professional opinion.
Tier 1: Creme of the Crop
1. High Point (12-3)
Probably the most talented team in the conference, led by transfer guard D’ Maurian Williams. High Point has showcased in some games why they were the almost consensus preseason #1 team in the Big South. While HPU has proven at times why they #1 in the preseason, they have also shown flaws.
Whether that be struggling to get past the press vs Norfolk State, or having an awful interior defense vs Missouri State and UNCG, they aren’t the monster that some people expect but they are still my #1 team in the conference.
#2. Longwood (11-4)
The reigning Big South tournament champs has picked up right where they left off last season. The holiday themed duo of Christmas and Garland have been amazing to watch along with the Griff Aldrich tough hard nosed defense.
Not much turns me off about this team, shooting has been issues at times and so have turnovers but the defense has usually made up for those mistakes and history shows that it should continue.
#3. Radford (10-5)
My boldest take in the offseason was that Radford would be a Top 5 team compared to Big South Media Members where they had them 7th. This Radford team has even out done what I expected with their only non Power 5 loss being to a Colorado State that made the tournament last year, and they kept it close throughout that game.
I don’t really have much that concerns me about this team, much like Longwood. They have a very high floor, but don’t have the ceiling of a team like High Point.
#4. UNC Asheville (9-5)
Drew Pember might be gone but Asheville sure isn’t. The start of the season wasn’t beautiful losing to Alabama by almost 50, then losing to Ohio but since then Asheville has looked pretty stellar, Jordan Marsh who I would consider the leader of this team, at least offensively has been an all conference level guard so far this season.
My one glaring concern with this team has been the teams they have faced, while they have beaten North Florida twice, WCU, SEMO and Tennessee State. They have spent the past couple weeks beating up on Non D1 schools and I fear that might comeback to bite them at the start of conference play.
#5 Winthrop (10-5)
The last team in my “Tier 1” teams is Winthrop, Mark Prosser got to the 10 win mark in non conference for 1st time in the Mark Prosser era, mostly due in part to the push the pace and push the rim style of play. Winthrop ranks 8th in tempo and 1st in Free Throw Rate. The two headed monster down low with Doucet and Talford has been a big part of that having 70 and 83 free throw attempts each.
The reason I have this team behind others in the conference is their issue gets worse because of their playstyle. This team can not shoot the ball well, and when you are pushing the ball up the court like Winthrop tends to do, missed shots means more shots for the other offense. Not Good.
Tier 2: Sneaky Good Teams
#6. Gardner Webb (5-8)
5-8 doesn’t tell the story about Gardner Webb, in most of their losses they were leading or kept it close throughtout the entire game. The trio of Darryl Simmons, Anthony Selden and Jamaine Mann have been big in this teams success early in the season.
If GWU can limit the turnovers, they are probably the most balanced offensive attack in all of the Big South, and their defense is no slouch either, GWU has top 3 upside.
#7. Presbyterian (7-8)
Probably one of the best Presbyterian teams in a long time, this squad has elite guard play with Kory Mincy complemented by the all conference level play of Kaleb Scott, for the 1st time in Dustin Kerns, Presbyterian is in the Top 100 in 3PT%.
The only reason I am hesitant about Presbyterian is the loss of Jonah Pierce, in most of their games since his season ending injury they have looked like they are missing a massive piece, if Pierce was still playing this team would be nearing the Top 5.
Tier 3: Flashes of Greatness
#8. Charleston Southern (4-11)
Probably one of the most disappointing teams so far this season, Charleston Southern has only disappointed due to the absense of Alahn Sumler and the injury of DJ Patrick. This team has shown flashes of greatness behind RJ Johnson and Taje Kelly but nothing sustained for more than two games.
#9. USC Upstate (4-11)
Even though Upstate is ranked 9th in my eyes as of right now, this team has impressed me. Personally at points in this season I thought this team was going to go winless in conference but they look like a 5-6 win team at this point without Brit Harris.
When Brit Harris returns. the offense should really flourish under his play this team looked like a very good offense without him they have looked sloppy and clearly a few steps below where they should be.