Here’s our updated Big South Basketball Power Rankings with games played through January 26th.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote movement in power rankings since last week.
1. Charleston Southern 12-7, 6-2 #205
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The Buccaneers continued their hot play with a 93-80 victory over Gardner-Webb in their lone game this week. Charleston Southern has now won 5 consecutive. Saah Nimley scored a career-high 37 points, his fourth straight 30+ point performance.
2. High Point 16-5, 7-2 #140
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The Panthers dropped only their 2nd game in their last 12 outings as they fell at Radford, 73-66 last week. High Point would rebound with consecutive wins over UNC-Asheville and Presbyterian. Next up is a road contest in Lynchburg against Liberty on Thursday night.
3. Coastal Carolina 15-5, 6-2 #147
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After dropping back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Chanticleers bounced back with a 63-52 win over Presbyterian. It was the 11th consecutive victory for Coastal over the Blue Hose. CCU placed 4 players in double figures against PC.
4. Radford 14-7, 5-3 #168
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The hottest team in the Big South not named Charleston Southern, Radford has reeled off 5 straight including wins this week over High Point and Liberty. 4 starters reached double figures in Radford’s 73-66 win over High Point. The Highlanders face the Buccaneers in Charleston on Wednesday.
5. Winthrop 10-9, 5-3 #213
no change
The Eagles took care of business this week against the bottom 2 teams in the Big South, Liberty and Campbell. Winthrop trailed Campbell by as many as 10 in the first half, but went on a 14-4 run midway through the 2nd half to take the lead they would not relinquish. Two tough road trips await Pat Kelsey’s bunch this week when they travel to Coastal Carolina and Radford.
6. UNC-Asheville 9-10, 5-3 #223
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The Bulldogs split 2 this week against Coastal and High Point. Asheville led the Chanticleers by as many as 20 thanks to shooting over 50% in the game. Two very winnable games for UNCA this week against Longwood and Campbell.
7. Gardner-Webb 13-9, 5-4 #207
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Since handing Coastal Carolina their first conference loss in impressive fashion back on January 17th, Gardner-Webb is 1-2 with their only win coming at home against 2-6 Longwood. On Monday night, the Runnin’ Bulldogs helped Campbell end their 7 game losing skid.
8. Presbyterian 7-15, 3-6 #336
no change
The Blue Hose continues to beat the bottom teams in the league and compete with those at the top. This week they knocked off Campbell before falling to Coastal Carolina and High Point. Freshman DeSean Murray continues his stellar play highlighted by 21 points on 8/11 shooting against Campbell. Murray is averaging 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 8 conference games.
9. Longwood 6-15, 2-6 #312
no change
The Lancers lost to Gardner-Webb, 79-67, in their lone game this week. Leron Fisher knocked down 5 of his 8 three pointers to lead Longwood with 25 points in the loss.
10. Campbell 7-14, 1-7 #263
no change
The Camels finally ended their 7 game losing streak with a win over Gardner-Webb on Monday night. Andrew Ryan led the way with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Reco McCarter added 18 points. Campbell shot 53% from the field in the win.
11. Liberty 6-15, 0-8 #338
no change
The Flames fall to 0-8 in Big South play for the first time since 1998-99, and are just 2-15 against Division I opponents this season. After failing to reach 60 points in their first 5 Big South contests, Liberty has gone over the 70-point mark twice in their past 3 games.
