2024 Big South Conference Tournament
The Quebin Center in High Point, North Carolina will be the home of the 2024 Big South Conference Tournament, as the top-seeded Panthers get to host all eight games and potentially make history with their first NCAA Tournament appearance. The tournament starts on March 6 and will take a one-day hiatus before games on three straight days from March 8-10.
All nine member schools are in action and the top seven seeds will begin play on Friday, as the only game on Wednesday is the 9 vs. 8 matchup. This is a one-bid league and the winner will head to the Big Dance. High Point could be a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but any other winner would be a No. 15 or No. 16.
How to Watch the Big South Conference Tournament
When: March 6, March 8-10
Where: Quebin Center in High Point, NC
Format: Top seven seeds get bye to Quarterfinals
Watch: ESPN+, ESPN2; Championship Game on ESPN2 on Mar. 10 at Noon p.m. ET
College Basketball Odds | College Basketball Betting Splits | Greg Peterson’s Daily Lines | Steve Makinen’s Power Ratings
Big South Conference Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds
Big South Conference Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds
1. High Point (+110)
2. UNC Asheville (+275)
3. Gardner-Webb (+700)
4. Winthrop (+600)
5. Longwood (+1100)
6. Presbyterian (+2500)
7. Charleston Southern (+9000)
8. USC Upstate (+12000)
9. Radford (+5000)
(odds from DraftKings Sportsbook accurate at time of publish)
Favorite To Win Big South Conference Tournament
It has been a magical season for tournament favorite High Point. They won the regular season crown for the first time since 2016 and are seeking their first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance. First-year head coach Alan Huss inherited a team that hadn’t won 20 games since 2015 and had very few winning seasons in the last 15 years, but here they are with home court and the chance to dance.
The Panthers are far and away the conference’s top offensive team, both in league play and overall, as they are a top-40 team in adjusted offensive efficiency per Bart Torvik. However, they leave a little to be desired on defense and teams like UNC Asheville and Gardner-Webb both shot better from 3. I won’t be surprised if they win the tournament, but I think they’re a little bit overrated.
UNC Asheville was second in adjusted offensive efficiency and tops in adjusted defensive efficiency in league play, with Winthrop a very close second on defense. As it stands, High Point would have to go through Winthrop in the semifinals, barring an Eagles slip-up against Longwood.
Big South Conference Tournament Darkhorse
I wouldn’t call Winthrop at +600 a darkhorse, but I don’t see any true long shot with a chance here. Every top-four seed has a difficult path, though. I’m not even sure Radford would be the easiest of matchups for High Point if the Highlanders get by USC Upstate, even though the Panthers did crush them twice in the regular season.
High Point swept Winthrop, but they won by two in regulation and four in overtime. The Panthers split with UNC Asheville, who is far from a darkhorse at +275. I guess what I’m saying is that, despite the odds, I don’t see High Point as a clear-cut choice to win this. I think three teams can win this – High Point, UNC Asheville, and Winthrop.
Players to Watch in Big South Conference Tournament
UNC Asheville’s Drew Pember was named the MVP of last year’s conference tourney and he has a good chance of getting that honor again if the Bulldogs emerge victorious. Pember averaged 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest.
The next three leaders in points per game are all from High Point, with Duke Miles (17.8 PPG), Kezza Giffa (15.6) and Kimani Hamilton (15.5). Hamilton also ranks fifth in rebounds per game with 7.3, so he’s a guy capable of leading the Panthers.
Radford has been really awful defensively this season, but the dynamic duo of DaQuan Smith (15.1 PPG) and Kenyon Giles (14.8 PPG) have led them to the third-highest adjusted offensive efficiency in the conference.
Winthrop has four players averaging double figures, led by Kelton Talford (14.3 PPG). Point guard Kasen Harrison is third in assists per game with 3.6.
Betting Pick to Win The Big South Conference Tournament
I like UNC Asheville to win this thing at +275. I like their 2 vs. 3 matchup with Gardner-Webb more than I like High Point’s matchup with Winthrop. GWU did beat UNCA twice during the regular season, with Pember limited to six points in the second meeting and just 25 minutes in the first meeting. That being said, I am trying to find updates on sharpshooter Josh Banks, a 39.4% shooter who only played 15 minutes in the finale against Radford. So, I’m holding off for now.
The two regular season meetings between High Point and Winthrop were crazy, as Winthrop led by as many as 17 and blew the first game. High Point led by as many as 19 and needed overtime to win the second one. They trailed with 24 seconds left. Not only could they lose, but they could spend a ton of energy in that semifinal game. So, I think UNC Asheville is very live to win the 2024 Big South Conference Tournament.
Pick: UNC Asheville +275
Makinen Power Ratings for Big South Conference
Check out the other previews in our 2024 College Basketball Conference Tournament Betting Guide.
