Updated Week 9 Power Rankings as conference play is set to begin. All rankings in parenthesis are KenPom.com rankings.
South:
1. (#148)Gardner-Webb (8-6)
Last week’s results:
No games played
This week:
- 1/5 @ Campbell 3:30
- 1/9 vs UNC Asheville 7pm
We’ll learn real quick how good the Runnin’ Bulldogs really are as they take on Campbell and defending conference champion Asheville.
2. (#207)Coastal Carolina (5-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 85-65 Greensboro College
This week:
- 1/5 @ Longwood
- 1/9 vs Presbyterian
Coastal with 2 “near” cellar-dwellers to start off conference play.
3. (#124)UNC Asheville (6-8)
Last week’s results:
W, 95-66 Bluefield
L, 71-63 Charlotte (OT)
This week:
- 1/5 @ Liberty 6pm
- 1/9 @ Gardner-Webb 7pm
Asheville is playing very well right now as they look to defend their 2 straight conference championships.
4. (#154)Charleston Southern (5-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 105-59 Virginia Intermont
This week:
- 1/5 @ Radford 4pm
- 1/9 vs Winthrop 7:30
CSU ready for conference play.
5. (#221)Winthrop (6-6)
Last week’s results:
W, 50-43 Hampton
L, 64-57 NC Central
This week:
- 1/5 vs High Point 2pm
- 1/9 @ Charleston Southern 7:30
The Eagles and Pat Kelsey look to reclaim their Big South dominance.
6. (#340)Presbyterian (3-11)
Last week’s results:
L, 76-60 South Carolina
W, 77-35 Montreat
This week:
- 1/5 vs VMI 7pm
- 1/9 @ Coastal Carolina
Presbyterian is the only Big South team left without a Division I win.
North:
1. (#268)VMI (5-7)
Last week’s results:
W, 110-54 Shenandoah
This week:
- 1/5 @ Presbyterian 7pm
- 1/9 vs Liberty 7pm
The Keydets had a solid non-conference showing.
2. (#266)High Point (5-7)
Last week’s results:
L, 68-61 Chattanooga
W, 76-74 Austin Peay
This week:
- 1/5 @ Winthrop 2pm
- 1/9 @ Radford 7pm
High Point Freshman sensation John Brown now sets his eyes on Big South Conference play.
3. (#277)Campbell (5-9)
Last week’s results:
W, 72-60 UNC Wilmington
W, 86-81 East Carolina (OT)
This week:
- 1/5 vs Gardner-Webb 3:30
- 1/9 @ Longwood 7pm
Campbell has the best talent in the North Division, but will it lead the Camels to a Division championship? They have turned it around the past week or so.
4. (#258)Radford (6-8)
Last week’s results:
W, 95-68 Central Pennsylvania
L, 81-77 NC A&T
This week:
- 1/5 vs Charleston Southern 4pm
- 1/9 vs High Point 7pm
Expect Radford to contend in the North.
5. (#345)Longwood (3-11)
Last week’s results:
L, 79-71 Fairleigh Dickinson
This week:
- 1/5 vs Coastal Carolina 2pm
- 1/9 vs Campbell 7pm
You can bet the Lancers will be amped up for their conference opener.
6. (#303)Liberty (4-10)
Last week’s results:
W, 104-67 Union
W, 63-62 Western Carolina
This week:
- 1/5 vs UNC Asheville
- 1/9 @ VMI 7pm
Liberty with 3 consecutive wins to close out 2012.
Combined Power Rankings:
1. Gardner-Webb
2. Coastal Carolina
3. UNC Asheville
4. Charleston Southern
5. Winthrop
6. VMI
7. High Point
8. Campbell
9. Radford
10. Longwood
11. Liberty
12.Presbyterian
