Big South Week Preview: Preseason Edition
Big South Preview of games for the entire preseason.
The preseason is ramping up, scrimmages are happening, exhibitions are happening and most importantly.
We are closer to the ball being tipped on November 4th.
This leads to our first issue of the Big South Weekly Preview.
Previewing every game for that given week.
The Games:
Oct 24th: Bridgewater at Radford (Not Televised)
Radford starts off their 24-25 campaign (even though these games don’t count) against Non D1 foe, Bridgewater. Radford holds an all time record of 9-1 against Bridgewater with the only loss coming in their first ever meeting in the 70’s.
To put this simply, Radford should out class Bridgewater in almost every facet, which is what should be expect. I think the only reasons to watch are: One if you are a Radford or Bridgewater fan, or Two you want to see what Radford is looking like, both lineup wise and also how they look on the court.
The last time these two teams met was in 2022, where Radford won 97-46. I would expect something similar this go around but a little closer with Radford experimenting at the end.
Give me Radford 85 - Bridgewater 52.
Oct 27th: High Point at ETSU (Not Televised)
The one D1 vs D1 charity exhibition for the Big South this season, High Point travels to East Tennessee State to play in Freedom Hall which will play host to the 2025 Big South Men’s Basketball Tournament. According to both schools this is their first ever meeting.
This game should be really interesting, Coach Savage runs a very good program at ETSU, as does Coach Huss at High Point. For High Point to win, they need to shoot at volume, if the majority of ETSU’s losses last year their opponents shot over 20 shots behind the arc, and two of the other losses their opponent had a FTR over 60. High Point will also need to limit the production of Jaydn Parker and Quimari Peterson, ETSU’s two key returners.
ETSU is around 150th on most rankings, but like High Point has a higher rating among the media. I am tempted to lean High Point but this game is almost a coin flip in my opinion.
Give me High Point 82 - ETSU 81.
Oct 29th: North Greenville at USC Upstate (Not Televised)
The Marty Ricther era offically starts Nov 4th at NC State, but you get a taste of it on Oct 29th when North Greenville has to travel to the smallest arena in ALL of Division 1 Basketball, the G.B. Hodge Center. USC Upstate holds a perfect 3-0 record against the Trailblazers of North Greenville.
While some expect USC Upstate to struggle this season, I don’t think we see that in this game. Unfortunately for North Greenville they don’t have the size down low to keep up with Upstate. As long as everyone on Upstate is playing to their abilities this game should be pretty handedly a win for the Spartans.
The last time these teams met was all the way back in 2017 in which Upstate won 80-59, all the previous matchups were around that 20 point margin of victory. I would predict this to be closer to around 15.
Give me USC Upstate 75 - North Greenville 60.
Nov 2nd: Averett at High Point (ESPN +)
The second of High Point’s exhibitions, this time in the Quebin Center vs Averett University. High Point holds an all time record of 2-0 over Averett, but those were all before Huss took over at High Point.
I think High Point has their way with Averett, Averett has 9 players listed on their roster, none being taller that 6’6”. For reference, High Point has 8 players taller than 6’6”. I think this game is just to get the team playing right before they play Coppin State on Nov 6th and to get that rowdy High Point fan base rowdy too.
The previous results were High Point wins, that’s the only thing I see being similar compared this game.
Give me High Point 89 - Averett 45.