College Basketball Conference Preview #8 - Big South Conference
The 2023-24 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Big South Conference. Look for UNC Asheville to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. The Bulldogs are the defending Big South Regular Season and Tournament champions. UNC Asheville brings back four starters and will be led by senior forward Drew Pember and senior guard Caleb Burgess. The Bulldogs have several newcomers that should also contribute - most notably junior guard Evan Johnson (Georgia State transfer) and senior guard Josh Banks (VCU transfer). Several experienced returnees including senior guard Fletcher Abee and senior forward Nick McMullen - both returning starters - along with senior forward Jamon Battle look to have breakout seasons. Winthrop looks to rebound after a dismal 2022-23 season. The Eagles return four starters and will be led by senior forward Kelton Talford and senior guard Kasen Harrison. They will get assistance from senior forward Chase Claxton and senior guard Sin'Cere McMahon - both returning starters - along with junior guard Nick Johnson (New Hampshire transfer) and senior center Alex Timmerman (Bucknell transfer). I predict Winthrop to finish in 2nd place in the final Conference Standings. Radford returns three starters from their 2022-23 team and will be led by senior guards DaQuan Smith and Bryan Antoine. The Highlanders will also rely on junior forward Justin Archer - the final returning starter - and sophomore forward Ibu Yamazaki to remain competitive in the Big South Conference this season. Expect contributions from senior forward Chandler Turner (Bowling Green transfer) and sophomore guard Kenyon Giles as well. Head Coach Darris Nichols will have Radford back at the top of the League soon but their fans need to remain patient this season. I predict the Highlanders to finish in 3rd place this season. Longwood will challenge UNC Asheville, Winthrop, and Radford for the Big South Conference Title. The Lancers bring back a ridiculously talented combination in senior guard Walyn Napper and senior forward Jesper Granlund - both returning starters. They will get help from two other returnees in senior forward Michael Christmas and senior guard DA Houston. Look for junior guard Johnathan Massie (McNeese State transfer) and senior center Szymon Zapala (Utah State transfer) to provide additional scoring and rebounding as well for the Lancers this season. I predict Longwood to finish in 4th place this season. Gardner-Webb will challenge the upper echelon teams for the Big South Conference Title and will need a huge season from senior guard DQ Nicholas - a returning starter - to win the Big South Conference Tournament. Nicholas could be the Horizon League Player of the Year this season and will get assistance from junior guard Julien Soumaoro - the other returning starter. Head Coach Tim Craft did well in the Transfer Portal as the Runnin' Bulldogs also added junior forward Isaiah Richards (Louisiana transfer) and freshman guard Shahar Lazar (New Mexico State transfer). I predict Gardner-Webb to finish in 5th place in the final Conference Standings.
High Point looks to cause problems in the Big South in 2023-24 but it won't be easy. The Panthers only welcome back one starter in junior guard Abdoulaye Thiam. Senior guard Bryson Childress and sophomore guard Justin Taylor - two experienced returnees - will team with junior guard Trae Benham (Lipscomb transfer) and junior guard Duke Miles (Troy transfer) to provide the Panthers with additional scoring. New Head Coach Alan Huss has the team headed in the right direction. I predict High Point to finish in 6th place this season. USC Upstate returns two starters in junior guard Trae Broadnax and sophomore guard Justin Bailey. Bailey has a great chance to become a 1st Team All Big South Player this season. The Spartans will need senior forwards Ahmir Langlais and Nick Alves - their most experienced returnees - to propel them to new heights this season. The Spartans may take a step back this season after a 4th place finish in the Big South Conference in 2022-23. I predict USC Upstate to finish in 7th place in the final Conference Standings. Charleston Southern is looking at yet another rebuild as the Bucs only won five Conference games last season. The Bucs return three starters and will be led by junior forward Taje' Kelly and sophomore guard RJ Johnson. Look for several transfers - most notably sophomore guard Louis Hutchinson (Rhode Island transfer) and junior guard Daren Patrick (South Florida transfer) to have huge seasons for the Bucs as they look to climb the Big South Conference Standings. A pair of experienced junior guards in Kalib Clinton - another returning starter - and Tres Berry will help the cause as well. I predict Charleston Southern to finish in 8th place this season. Presbyterian hopes to climb the Conference Standings after a last place finish in 2022-23. The Blue Hose return three starters and will be led by senior guards Crosby James and Trevon Reddish-Rhone. Look for junior guard Marquis Barnett - the final returning starter - and senior guard Kobe Stewart to have big seasons as well if the Blue Hose hope to finish in the top half of the final Big South Conference Standings. I predict Presbyterian to finish in 9th place this season. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Big South Conference. Enjoy all of the games!
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