Big South 2025-26 non-conference recaps and resolutions

By Josh Noel (@Josh_DDH)

As tunes of Auld Lang Syne ring out across the world, the men’s basketball teams of the Big South will turn the page to 2026 in a different kind of way.   

Conference play begins on New Year’s Eve, with the first four matchups tipping off at 2 p.m. on ESPN+ when Gardner-Webb hosts Charleston Southern.

After two consecutive seasons ranked 18th with a KenPom adjusted efficiency margin under minus-5, the Big South isn’t quite performing up to the standard of previous years. The conference’s adjusted efficiency margin of minus-6.94 ranks 22nd of 31 leagues, and is on pace for its lowest since a minus-9.14 mark in 2020-21.

Though this could be seen as a disappointing downturn, it’s worth noting that the Big South lost three of its top coaches in one offseason (Alan Huss, Griff Aldrich and Darris Nichols), while only one team returned more than 40 percent of its minutes (USC Upstate).

Here’s a look at the players and stats to know with a resolution for each team to ring in the new year as the Big South double round-robin begins:

High Point (12-3 overall, KenPom: 94, NCAA NET: 96)

The Panthers enter Big South play as the only team with double-digit wins and ranking within the top 100 of both KenPom and the NET. The offense, as expected, is the straw that stirs the drink, ranking sixth nationally at 95.3 points per game and within the top 50 of adjusted offensive efficiency.

Four Panthers average double figures, led by Cam’Ron Fletcher at 17 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Despite leading HPU in scoring and rebounding, Fletcher has come off the bench over the past four games. Braden Hausen, who dropped back-to-back career highs of 11 and 18 points in two of his last three games, looks to be the starter moving forward. Rob Martin (14.0 PPG) and Terry Anderson (12.9 PPG) round out the starters scoring, with Conrad Martinez (11.7 PPG) and Chase Johnston (44.4 percent 3-point field goals) available off the bench.  

Perhaps the larger surprise and story for HPU is the improved defensive metrics under first-year head coach Flynn Clayman. The Panthers lead the country in turnover margin (8.2) thanks to forcing 17.6 turnovers per game (seventh nationally) and only committing 7.4 turnovers of its own (13th nationally).  

Though formidable, this purple and white machine has its own Achilles’ heels. HPU has allowed nine or more offensive rebounds in nine games this season and nine or more 3-pointers in seven games. Big South play will also pose a challenge to the Panthers, whose non-conference strength of schedule ranks 359th in all of Division I. 

RESOLUTION: Lean on roster’s experience when conference play gets gritty

 

Winthrop (8-7 overall, KenPom: 129, NCAA NET: 143)

Last year’s Big South Tournament runner-up looks to be High Point’s top competition in its quest for a repeat championship. 

Mark Prosser’s squad is the only Big South team besides HPU with a positive adjusted efficiency margin (+3.4) and adjusted offensive efficiency within the top 100 (69th). A quartet of seniors lead the way for the Eagles, including big man Logan Duncomb (15.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG), Kareem Rozier (13.0 PPG), Daylen Berry (12.4 PPG) and Kody Clouet (11.5 PPG).

Similarly to HPU, Winthrop is one of the best teams in the country at limiting offensive turnovers (14.2 percent, 26th nationally) and scores 36.2 percent of its points from behind the arc. The Eagles’ methodical offense played Arkansas and Nebraska within seven points, and has led to only one loss by more than ten points so far this season. 

While Winthrop may be more battle-tested in the non-conference, it has only one Kenpom top 200 win and succumbed to several late-game losses that have blemished its record. The Eagles will also need to improve their perimeter defense, as it has allowed 10 or more 3-pointers in six games so far this season. 

RESOLUTION: Patrol the perimeter on both ends of the floor to maintain established leads

Charleston Southern (9-6 overall, KenPom: 220, NCAA NET: 187)

Coming off the conference’s highest-rated win over Richmond, the Buccaneers are the hottest team entering Big South play. The Bucs have climbed 100 spots in KenPom since the start of the season, thanks in large part to winning four of their last five games.

Brycen Blaine steers the ship for CSU, averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point range. Blaine’s seven games of 20 or more points position him well for first team all-Big South honors.

The hidden treasure to the Bucs’ early success comes from their ability to splash cannonballs from downtown. CSU ranks second nationally in percentage of points from 3-pointers (45.1 percent) and fourth in threes attempted to field goals attempted (53.1 percent). A’lahn Sumler (13.8 PPG), Jesse Hafemesiter (12.1 PPG), Luke Williams, and Armari Carraway all shoot 37 percent or better from 3-point range.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Bucs are within the top 100 for restricting effective field goal percentage (47th), offensive rebounds (65th), 3-point percentage (97th), and 2-point percentage (41st).  

While the defense may force tough shots, it’s hardly forcing turnovers. CSU ranks third-last nationally in turnover percentage (12.2 percent) and near the bottom 10 in defensive steal percentage (6.3 percent). The Bucs have only forced 10 or more opposing turnovers in five games this season. The offense also truly lives and dies by the three, as CSU ranks 354th in points from 2-pointers and 333rd in points from free throws.  

RESOLUTION: Use 3-point repertoire to expand offense and collapse defense to force more turnovers

 

UNC Asheville (6-8 overall, KenPom: 250, NCAA NET: 247)

UNC Asheville breaks the pattern of four double-figure scorers by boasting five lethal contributors. Justin Wright (17.1 PPG), preseason Big South player of the year Toyaz Solomon (16.7 PPG), Kameron Taylor (15.5 PPG), Connor Dubsky (15 PPG), and DJ Patrick (10.3 PPG) can fill it up for the Bulldogs on any given night.

Similarly to Mike Morrell’s previously best UNCA squads, this year’s team makes its money from accurate 3-point shooting (36.8 percent). Perhaps even more encouraging is that 3-pointers only make up 27.3 percent of the Bulldogs’ points and 32.4 percent of their field goal attempts.

A rather suboptimal way that this Asheville squad breaks the mold of its predecessors is its propensity to get into turnover trouble. The Bulldogs rank 335th in the country when it comes to committing offensive turnovers (21 percent) and forcing defensive turnovers (14.3 percent)

The Bulldogs will need to continue their reliance on their fab five due to lack of depth, as their 22.1 percent of bench minutes is 11th-fewest in the country. No one besides the five double-figure scorers averages more than six point per game. The Bulldogs’ three losses at home this season also match their total blemishes at Kimmel Arena over the past three seasons combined.

RESOLUTION: Take better care of the ball and use it to generate more 3-pointers

 

Radford (7-8 overall, KenPom: 252, NCAA NET: 289)

Year one of Zach Chu’s head coaching tenure has brought its share of highlights and speed bumps for Radford.

Dennis Parker, Jr. enters Big South play as the conference’s leading scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game. The Highlanders guard set a school and conference record with 53 points against Coppin State, which was the most by a Division I player since 2019. Del Jones (14.6 PPG) and Jaylon Johnson (10.7 PPG) will also be players to watch.

The Highlanders have established their identity under Chu as a run-and-gun, huck-and-chuck team. Radford plays at a top 20 tempo in the country and takes nearly half of its attempts from behind the arc (49.4 percent). This approach has led to RU scoring 75 or more points in seven straight games.  

Running up and down the floor has also shown its downsides for Radford. The Highlanders’ defense hasn’t yet caught up with the offense, ranking 296th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Such ragged pace also forces Radford to frequently send its opponents to the free throw line at a high rate (45.9 percent free throw rate). The Highlanders have yet to beat a team above 330 in KenPom, so they will need to be on their A-game to stay in the conference title race.

RESOLUTION: Keep foot on the gas but look for opportunities to apply the break

 

USC Upstate (8-7 overall, KenPom: 262, NCAA NET: 217)

If the Big South held midseason awards, USC Upstate would likely win most improved team, and Marty Richter may well be on his way to coach of the year. The Spartans have already surpassed last season’s win total of six with an 8-7 record in the non-conference slate.

Mason Bendinger is Upstate’s primary scorer at 15.5 points per game, while returners Karmani Gregory (14.9 PPG) and Carmelo Adkins (13.0 PPG) also lead in the scoring department.

The Spartans’ foundation under Richter is built on its defense. Upstate ranks top 50 in limiting 3-point attempts (34.5 percent) and is within the top 100 nationally for both effective field goal percentage allowed (48.6 percent, 93rd) and two-point defensive percentage (47.4 percent, 66th). While returning 40.3 percent of last year’s minutes may not sound like a lot, it’s the highest percentage in the Big South, and has led to steps forward for Gregory and Adkins.

For Upstate to continue its second season success, the offense will need to contribute to the load. The Spartans rank outside the top 200 for 3-point percentage, 2-point percentage, and free throw percentage. Upstate has only made 10 or more 3-pointers twice this year against Division I opponents, which is a figure that must creep up given its conference mates’ tendency to launch from downtown. 

RESOLUTION: Sometimes the best offense is a good defense

 

Presbyterian (7-8 overall, KenPom: 291, NCAA NET: 287)

After finishing a program-best fifth in last year’s top-heavy Big South, the Presbyterian faithful are hoping for a similar favorable result in 2026. The Blue Hose began its season with a bang, earning a 68-64 win over Big South tournament host East Tennessee State.

Jonah Pierce (14.5 PPG) and Carl Parrish (13 PPG) are the only double-figure scorers for PC, who ranks among the top 10 slowest tempos as a team in the country. Whereas other teams in the Big South rely on guard play, Quinton Ferrell’s team boasts several talented big men who will look to make their mark on the rest of the conference. The Blue Hose is top 50 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage, thanks in large part to Pierce (8.9 RPG) and Jaylen Peterson (7.2 PPG). Pierce and Chidi Chiakwelu both have 21 blocks on the season as well, resulting in a top 100 defensive block rate (11.7 percent).

Presbyterian will need its offensive output to match its defense if it hopes to build off last season’s record conference finish. PC averages less than 70 points per game due to its slow tempo (69.3 possessions per game), and its adjusted offensive efficiency sits outside the top 300 as well. The Blue Hose will need to correct its 3-point shooting (27.9 percent) and shake the turnover bug, where they rank among the bottom 30 for turnover percentage (21.1 percent, 337th) and non-steal turnover percentage (11.4 percent)

RESOLUTION: Find opportunities for the frontcourt to draw attention that will free up the guards to kickstart the offense

 

Longwood (8-7 overall, KenPom: 302, NCAA NET: 317)

Ronnie Thomas’ team unsurprisingly brings many of the characteristics that established the Lancers as a perennial conference competitor under Griff Aldrich. Longwood frequently draws fouls, ranking tenth nationally in free throw rate (48.2 percent), then shoots a Big South-best 76.9 percent at the line, which ultimately leads to ranking second in the country for point distribution from free throws (28.4 percent). Jacoi Hutchinson (12.7 PPG), Johan Nziemi (12 PPG), and Elijah Tucker (11.7 PPG) lead the Lancer attack.  

Longwood remains stingy on defense as well, currently ranking within the top 100 nationally for in turnovers percentage forced (19.6 percent) and steal percentage (11.2 percent). Lastly, glass-cleaning emphasis remains intact as the Lancers are once again inside the top 75 for limiting offensive rebounding percentage (27.8 percent).  

The Lancer faithful take pride in Longwood’s ability to muck it up, but it will take a more aesthetically pleasing approach to make noise in the Big South. Longwood is approximately bottom 10 in the country for 3-point percentage (26.7 percent) with no one on the team shooting above 36 percent from behind the arc. The Lancers’ interior defense is more vulnerable than previous years, as it allows 57.8 percent shooting inside the arc. A brutal beginning to conference play of Winthrop, High Point, and UNC Asheville leave the Lancers little time to figure out their issues.

RESOLUTION: Use early conference tests to diversify offense and bolster defense

 

Gardner-Webb (2-13 overall, Kenpom: 360, NCAA NET: 360)

Gardner-Webb is looking to find its identity as Big South play begins. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have yet to defeat a fellow Division I opponent, but also returned just 9.7 percent of its minutes and an average of 0.55 years of Division I experience.

Jacob Hogarth (10.7 PPG), Spence Sims (10.2 PPG), and Jacob Hudson (10.1 PPG) have emerged as the primary scoring options for Jeremy Luther’s outfit. Five more Runnin’ Bulldogs average seven or more points per game. Since GWU ranks top 50 nationally for 2-foul participation, scoring threats can always remain on the floor. The Runnin’ Bulldogs rank just inside the top 100 for defensive free throw rate, so perhaps a lack of fouling can keep GWU close against its conference mates.

There are certainly plenty of areas to improve for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, and that begins with the interior defense. GWU allows the third-highest effective field goal percentage (59.8 percent) and seventh-highest 2-point percentage (62.1 percent) in the country. Once the interior defense is better established, Gardner-Webb can pivot its focus to shore up the perimeter and cut down on turnovers.

RESOLUTION: Play loose as team identity continues to take shape

As the year of 2025 comes to an end, the road to Johnson City begins. A sixteen-game slate awaits the Big South as the calendar continues to turn towards March.