CBB: Big South Conference Tournament Preview

Favorites (odds below +500)

High Point Panthers (+105): High Point is such a fun story. The Panthers played great ball all season long on the way to dominating the conference and winning the regular season championship. The Panthers didn’t even lose a conference game until February!! What’s most impressive is that all 7 losses are by no more than 8 points. This team will be a lot of fun if they can make the tournament.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs (+290): UNC Asheville is the defending conference champ. They returned a lot from that team led by the best player in the conference in Drew Pember. They’ve been just a step below last seasons level but this can easily be the time the Bulldogs take the conference back. If the favorites win, they need to watch out for Gardner Webb who’s beaten UNC Asheville twice already.

Sleepers (+500 or above)

Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (+800): Gardner-Webb struggled early in the season although part of it was a product of a tougher non-conference schedule. The Bulldogs are getting hot at the right time though winning 5 of their last 6 games. It helps they’ve had the edge on UNC Asheville all season but at the same time High Point is a hill they’ve yet to climb.

Longwood Lancers (+1200): Longwood was one of the favorites to win this conference entering the season, and looked good through most of OOC play but things collapsed for them in a 2-8 start to conference play. They redeemed themselves with a 4-2 finish and have a new lease on life with the conference tournament.

Winthrop Eagles (+700): You can never count out the Eagles. They’ve looked threatening some games this year but the downside is they haven’t strung together multiple good games since January. Despite this they do have the 3rd best odds.

My Pick:

UNC-Asheville Bulldogs (+290): I really really love High Point ‘s team and they’re a lot of fun, honestly I’m rooting for them even. That being said, this is March Madness and the Big South is giving me vibes of a tournament where the favorite doesn’t win. I’ll roll with Drew Pember and the Bulldogs.