Fab Five: A Big South Recap Week 6
A weekly recap of the wacky wonderful world of Big South basketball
After an amazing week of Big South action we have some BIG STORYLINES, BIG RECAPS and some previews for AMAZING games next week.
Talking Points
1. Return of the Panthers
After thier wins over Radford on the road and more importantly win at home over UNC Asheville has now put the Panthers in 1st place headed into their toughest part of the schedule with games at home vs Longwood and at Winthrop.
The Big South Standings:
2. Bodo Bodo Bo(ar)do Clinic
During the UNC Asheville-High Point game, we saw an amazing performance by Juslin Bodo Bodo with 19 points and 21 rebounds. This performance is the only time this season where a player has had more 21 or more rebounds and 15 or more points and only one of 6 players this season to grab 21 or more rebounds in a single game this season.
3. ESPN U headed to The Q.
After the HPU at Longwood game, I asked (kind of naively) for ESPN to put Longwood at HPU as the ESPN U Wild Card game.
Well ESPN must have listened (likely not but I like to think they did) and this week we will get to see Longwood at High Point, the rematch of last months THRILLER.
Thursday at 7pm EST on ESPN U
4. Big South Players of the Week
On Monday, the Big South announced their Player of the Week and their Freshman of the Week. The Player of the Week being Juslin Bodo Bodo and The Freshman of the Week being Carmelo Adkins.
Juslin Bodo Bodo: Bodo Bodo averaged 14.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 6.0 offensive rebounds, 2.0 blocked shots and 73.3 percent from the field across High Point’s 2 wins vs Radford and UNC Asheville. Including 19 points and 21 rebounds vs UNC Asheville.
Carmelo Adkins: Adkins averaged 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in two games last week. He tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds in Upstate’s game vs Winthrop.
5. UNC Asheville featured in the Washington Post.
Just taking this last spot where I would usually have just something random to point out that UNC Asheville was in the Washington Post for a Mid Major Spotlight this week.
Read the UNC Asheville piece here.
Weekly Recaps:
1. UNC Asheville at High Point
The rematch of the week 1 matchup which was a thriller, this game might have been better.
High Point squeaked out a win UNC Asheville by a score of 104-100. Bobby Pettiford led the Panthers with 20 points. For Asheville, Jordan Marsh delivered a what seems to be normal performance for Marsh, scoring 33 points and grabbing eight rebounds. This game marked UNC Asheville's fourth time getting to the 100-point mark this season, the last team Asheville did this was the 72-73 season.
2. Gardner Webb at UNC Asheville
In this weeks ESPN U game, UNC Asheville secured a 78-70 victory over Gardner-Webb, maintaining their stellar home record at 11-0. Jordan Marsh helped the Bulldogs with his 26 points, while big man Toyaz Solomon contributed 17 points and five rebounds. The game was tightly contested, with the game being tied at 35 by halftime, but down the stretch, Asheville pulled ahead in the second half to clinch the win.
3. Winthrop at USC Upstate
Winthrop pulled out a much needed win over USC Upstate with a score of 105-95. Kelton Talford led the Eagles with 22 points despite being hurt in the 1st half, while Nick Johnson added 21 points. For the Spartans, Frehsman stars, Mister Dean scored 21 points, and Carmelo Adkins achieved a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The game featured multiple lead changes, but Winthrop's strong second-half performance secured their victory.
Weekly Previews:
1. Longwood at High Point
After their thriller earlier this year ended by Colby Garland at the buzzer. Longwood now has to make the trip to High Point for another Thursday ESPNU game.
High Point has horrible vs Longwood in their last 15 games only winning one game in that span coming in 2024. I do think this changes, the Qubein Center will likely be rocking similar to Saturday and that likely will be enough for the Huss Bus to keep rolling.
Prediction: Longwood 76 - High Point 79
2. Radford at Winthrop
Two sleeper Big South contenders face off as Radford travels to Winthrop. Radford beat Winthrop in their first matchup 87-67 but this one should be closer. Radford coming off an important win over Longwood and Winthrop is on a 4 game tear.
I would lean Radford on neutral court with just their ability to slow down Winthrop throwing off their style but with Winthrop being at home, I think their home court wins this game.
Prediction: Radford 68 - Winthrop 75
3. UNC Asheville at USC Upstate
Coming off their close game in Asheville, Upstate is looking to right the ship and pick up their 2nd conference win, while Asheville is looking to get back into the win column after their loss to High Point.
I don’t really think this one will be close, Asheville has clearly been better than Upstate and their 1st game was only close due to late game blunders and amazing shot making by USC Upstate. I don’t think that gets repeated.
Prediction: UNC Asheville 99 - USC Upstate 87