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Big South Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Donovan Darlington

BUIES CREEK, NC - MARCH 06: Players of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs celebrate following their 77-68 victory against the Winthrop Eagles during the championship game of the 2016 Big South Basketball Tournament at Pope Convocation Center on March 6, 2016 in Buies Creek, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
BUIES CREEK, NC - MARCH 06: Players of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs celebrate following their 77-68 victory against the Winthrop Eagles during the championship game of the 2016 Big South Basketball Tournament at Pope Convocation Center on March 6, 2016 in Buies Creek, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 29: Travis Fields Jr. #11 of the Radford Highlanders (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 29: Travis Fields Jr. #11 of the Radford Highlanders (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Who has the best shot at winning the Big South Basketball Tournament and earning an NCAA Tournament berth?

Around this same time last year, the Big South Basketball standings looked pretty different than how they do now. Four teams were crowded at the top, and eight teams total were within three conference losses of each other. It could have gone in the direction of anybody, and with #4 seed Gardner Webb winning the conference, the unpredictable nature of this league was displayed.

This season, the conference is still very unpredictable; however, the standings so much more separation than they did last season. Radford and Winthrop are tied for 1st place at 15-3 in league play. Radford, however, wins the tie break and gets the home-court advantage the entire tournament. Beyond them, there is a huge gap in the standings. Gardner Webb is sitting at 3rd with a league record of 11-7.

This outcome after a great Big South Basketball regular-season slate is not far off from how things were predicted to play out at the beginning of the season.  Radford, who was extremely competitive and last won the Big South Tournament in 2018, was picked to finish 1st in the league. Next, Gardner Webb, the defending conference champions, were picked 2nd. Winthrop was picked to finish 3rd.

With that preseason ranking, it is no surprise to see those squads at the top. What is a little surprising, however, is the fact that Winthrop was actually closer to the top than originally thought, spending much of the season and 1st place and making the Big South look like it’s theirs to lose.

Now, Winthrop has fallen down to earth a bit and find themselves deadlocked with Radford. In their two meetings this year, the Eagles and Highlanders split, so it is rather unclear which team is the favorite of the two. Neither team has clearly taken the conference, but both should be pleased with how they have played this year.

As for teams that disappointed, Gardner Webb did not live up to the high expectations that were placed on them this year after winning the Big South Basketball Tournament a season ago. They may not have impressed like they wanted, but they should not be counted out. They still have a huge opportunity in this tournament to defend their crown.

The Big South Basketball Tournament begins on Tuesday, and it will certainly be fun. All 11 teams have a shot at making great things happen for their programs, so let’s get to breaking down the teams and their stars.