Here’s our updated Big South men’s basketball power rankings based on games played through December 11th.

Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last ranking.

1. UNC-Asheville 6-4 #130
   no change

The Bulldogs’ 4 losses on the season have all come away from Kimmel Arena, with most recent setbacks against Clemson and Furman. UNCA has 3 more games, all away from Kimmel Arena, prior to conference play tipping off. They get the benefit of the doubt to remain at #1, for now.

This week: 12/17 vs Western Carolina

2. Liberty 7-3 #148
   no change

The Flames are a buzzer-beater (against Houston) and a triple-overtime thriller (against UNCG) from being 9-1 and easily in first place in these power rankings. However, that’s not how things played out. Coach McKay’s squad will get at least one more solid test, potentially two, in the New Orleans Shootout beginning December 21 against Fort Wayne before Big South play begins.

This week: 12/16 vs Kentucky Christian

3. Winthrop 5-4 #168
  3

Less than 24 hours after our initial power rankings were released, which had the Eagles at #6, Winthrop got one of the more impressive wins any Big South team has had this season, beating Furman, 93-74, on the road. The Eagles have now won 5 out of their last 7 games with the two losses coming against Auburn and Georgia. Behind Xavier Cooks, we know Pat Kelsey’s squad has the ability to win another conference title, and they’ve started to show that potential the past couple of weeks.

This week: 12/16 @ Alabama State

4. Radford 5-4 #182
  1

Radford has played a difficult schedule, with 6 of their first 9 games coming on the road, and they won’t return to the Dedmon Center until January 3rd. 3 of their 4 lossse have come against Power 5 opponents.

This week: 12/17 @ Nevada

5. Presbyterian 5-5 #341
  4

What a roll the Blue Hose have been on behind first-year head coach Dustin Kerns. PC has won 4 straight games, all against Division I opponents, including a buzzer-beater over a very solid UNCG team. With 2 of their 3 remaining non-conference games coming against sub-DI teams, Presbyterian could enter Big South play with a winning record.

This week: 12/14 vs Toccoa Falls

6. Campbell 4-5 #219
  2

The Camels picked up a road win at Stetson to close out their November slate before a tough, 3 point loss at East Carolina. Campbell is right in the middle of the pack as we approach the end of non-conference play. Will they be able to make a conference championship push behind Chris Clemons this year like many expect?

This week: 12/14 vs the Citadel

7. High Point 4-5 #244
  2

The Panthers have just 1 Division I win so far this season, coming all the way back in their season opener, a 100-66 rout of William & Mary. Since then, Scott Cherry’s squad is 0-5 against DI teams including losses to seemingly beatable Citadel and Charlotte by a combined 5 points..

This week: 12/17 @ Wofford

8. Charleston Southern 4-3 #292
  1

CSU hasn’t played since our last power rankings, but will have 4 games in a 9 day span to close out their non-conference schedule.

This week: 12/12 @ South Carolina State, 12/15 vs Eastern Kentucky, 12/18 @ Florida State

9. Gardner-Webb 3-8 #265
  1

The Runnin’ Bulldogs picked up their first DI win on December 2nd over future Big South member USC Upstate. 5 games against top 100 teams hasn’t helped their record.

This week: 12/17 @ Hampton

10. Longwood 3-6 #344
   no change

3 sub-DI wins won’t get the Lancers out of the basement, especially when they’re losing by double figures to a KenPom #330 team in VMI.

This week: 12/13 @ Illinois, 12/16 vs Cornell