Big South Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview, predictions
First Round matchups
No. 8 High Point Panthers vs No. 9 USC Upstate Spartans
These two teams split their matchups at USC Upstate. This will be a fairly even matchup but the Spartans have had issues defending against quality individual scorers all season. Wright from High Point could very well go off in this one, which I predict will occur.
Prediction: High Point 76, USC Upstate 66
No. 7 Hampton Pirates vs No. 10 Presbyterian Blue Hose
It was another split in this matchup in the regular season, with both games occurring at Hampton. Neither team has been scoring much as of late, making this one looking like a low-scoring affair as well. It’ll come down to how much Davion Warren of Hampton produces, but with the Hose already having a scouting report from the previous battles, I think they’ll stiffle him enough to move on.
Prediction: Presbyterian 62, Hampton 58
Quaterfinals
No. 1 Winthrop Eagles vs No. 8 High Point Panthers
The Eagles won both games at High Point just a week a ago, by a combined margin of 14 points. Vaudrin was joined by DJ Burns and Josh Corbin in those games, an example of the depth they have. It’s hard to imagine the Panthers having a great shot, although they were competitive in both games.
Prediction: Winthrop 76, High Point 70
No. 4 UNC Asheville Bulldogs vs No. 5 Longwood Lancers
These two teams split their matchups at Longwood, which would argue that this should be a toss-up quarterfinal battle. However, the month-long absence from competition for UNC Asheville is a major storyline and something I don’t think they can overcome in this one.
Prediction: Longwood 73, UNC Asheville 58
No. 2 Radford Highlanders vs No. 10 Presbyterian Blue Hose
The Blue Hose were able to pull off the two-point home upset against Radford early in league play. The Highlanders are similar to Winthrop in terms of having more depth than individual firepower, with freshman guard Fah’Mir Ali leading the team in scoring at 10.3 ppg. Radford lost four straight games at home to end league play and has little momentum. In this situation, look for Presbyterian to stay close before pulling ahead late.
Prediction: Presbyterian 64, Radford 60
No. 3 Campbell Fighting Camels vs No. 6 Gardner-Webb Bulldogs
These two programs split at Gardner-Webb’s place, including an 85-70 victory led by five different double-digit scorers. Both teams have high-scoring capability but each have been inconsistent. The Bulldogs ended league play with six straight games on the road and has another at the Camels. I think they’ll find a way to pull off the upset.