The third automatic bid into the NCAA tournament is from the Big South conference. The Big South that Winthrop has dominated over the years, but it looks as if there is a changing of the guard in the league for a new dynasty to emerge. That team is the High Point Panthers. High Point finally got the job done after winning the regular season title for the second straight season. The Panthers were eliminated last year in the semifinals of the conference tournament. High Point made sure that didn’t happen again.
The Panthers are making their first tournament appearance in school history. High Point has been a member of Division 1 since the 1999-2000 season. High Point has won the regular season in the Big South 6 times but has always fizzled out in the NCAA tournament. High Point, like the other first-timers, is in the middle of its best season in school history. The Panthers entered the tournament with an overall record of 29-5, went 14-2 in the Big South, and won back-to-back regular-season conference titles.
After 25 Years the High Point Panthers are headed to the NCAA Tournament. They come back from 15 down to win the Big South Championship and punch their ticket to the dance pic.twitter.com/czrMgWW5Bs
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 9, 2025
High Point is likely going to get a 13 seed and are going to be a very trendy pick for an upset. It is going to be a somber feeling being the five seed that gets High Point next to their name on the bracket. The Panthers and head coach Alan Huss have a roster that is primed to make a run to the tournament. Here are some reasons why they will win a game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Offensive Prowess
High Point isn’t your run-of-the-mill mid-major school that dominates its league. The Panthers under coach Huss have been one of the best offensive teams in the country. The sample size is small, only two full seasons, but the results have been there. The Panthers are currently averaging just over 82 points per game, and they do it with ultra-efficient offense. High Point currently sits in the top 10 of all teams with a field goal percentage of 49%, and when just talking about shots inside the three-point arc, the percentage balloons to 58%. There have been too many times when people have written off a team because they come from a small conference, even though the efficiency numbers, like field goal percentage, tell them not to. Here is another one to chew on. High Point currently ranks 26th in the KenPom offensive efficiency ranking. They are going to score points there is no question about that.
Experience
The Panthers head into the NCAA tournament as one of the oldest teams in the country. Heading into the season the Panthers were the favorite to win the league because of their experience. High Point returned 75% of their roster from last season which is what led to them having the best season in school history. Experience matters in the NCAA tournament. Yes, having players who have played in the NCAA tournament matters a lot as you get to the later rounds. Having an experienced team that has played a lot of college basketball and knows how to win matters in the early rounds. How much that becomes a factor will be evident quickly for the Panthers.
Ride the Wave
The wave of momentum! Everyone always talks about momentum in sports, and it’s a factor. This one might matter more than experience. Everyone who has watched the NCAA Tournament has seen it with smaller schools that get hot and are able to ride the wave of momentum to the tournament and to the second weekend. I am not saying that High Point will make the second weekend, especially since we don’t have the matchups yet but they are likely going to be a trendy pick to get there. The Panthers head to their first NCAA tournament, winners of 16 of their last 17 and winners of 14 straight games. If they can keep this momentum going they are going to surprise some teams.
High Point has all the makings of a Cinderella and a team that is going to capture the hearts of America in a few weeks. If your favorite team is going to play High Point in the NCAA tournament don’t be mad when the game is close. The Panthers will do that to you. High Point fans, enjoy this run and may it culminate in a big run through March.