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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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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 29: Chandler Vaudrin #52 of the Winthrop Eagles (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 29: Chandler Vaudrin #52 of the Winthrop Eagles (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images) /

Teams to look out for

Team to beat: Radford

Prior to a loss to a 70-62 loss to Gardner Webb on Saturday, the Radford Highlanders were on a 10 game win streak. They had been the most consistent team in the conference each time they stepped on the floor before Saturday. The loss to Gardner Webb before beginning the Big South Basketball Tournament is not very comforting, but it lets them know they are the team to beat and gives them some things to adjust. The Highlanders have experience in recent years at playing at a high level in the league. For that, they have the advantage in this tournament.

Top contender: Winthrop

Things have been a little rough for the Winthrop Eagles lately. They have fallen into a bit of a slump, and are 3-3 in their last six contests. Recent losses to both Radford and Gardner Webb certainly has them questioning some things, but I think they will step up and play at a level that allows them to have a great shot at winning the Big South Basketball Tournament and earning the NCAA Tournament berth.

Team likeliest to surprise: Gardner Webb

The fact that Gardner Webb won the conference tournament last year and is defending their crown is both an advantage and disadvantage all in one. Coming off of a conference winning season last year, Gardner Webb is motivated to do it again. Another thing going well for the Bulldogs is the recent wins they have picked up over both Radford and Winthrop. They know they can beat the league’s top two teams and win this tournament.