2026-27 Big South Preview

2026-10-06

The Big South enters 2026-27 with one obvious favorite and a much more difficult question behind it.

Who is second?

High Point is the two-time defending regular-season and tournament champion. The Panthers went 31-5 last season, won the league at 15-1 and then beat Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament before pushing Arkansas in the Round of 32.

The roster is again loaded.

Cam'Ron Fletcher returns. CJ Brown arrives from South Florida. Jason Rivera Torres comes in after averaging 15.8 points and 8.1 rebounds at Monmouth. Isaac Garrett, Curtis Williams Jr., Frankquon Sherman and Filip Brankovic give Flynn Clayman a frontcourt and wing group with size, skill and experience.

Torvik has High Point No. 64 nationally. No other Big South team is inside the top 200.

That gap matters.

But the league behind High Point is interesting. Presbyterian returns an unusual amount of production. Longwood added one of the league's best new guards. Winthrop rebuilt after another 20-win season. UNC Asheville has several breakout candidates. Radford has almost no continuity but a roster that looks much more talented than a typical sixth-place team.

MMH is keeping High Point comfortably at No. 1.

The real debate starts at No. 2.

MMH Projected Order

This is not a ranking of last year's teams.

The projection attempts to translate returning production, transfer quality, roster fit, positional size and program stability into expectations for 2026-27.

Other preseason picks

The official Big South preseason poll and All-Conference team are scheduled to be announced October 14.

1. High Point

The gap is real

There is no reason to overcomplicate the top of the league.

High Point was the best Big South team last season and enters 2026-27 with the best roster again.

Cam'Ron Fletcher averaged 13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 54.4 percent from the field. He gives the Panthers a proven two-way centerpiece and is MMH's preseason Player of the Year.

CJ Brown adds another high-level creator after averaging 10.9 points and 4.7 assists at South Florida. Jason Rivera Torres brings 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists from Monmouth. Isaac Garrett averaged 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds at Oakland. Filip Brankovic gives High Point another productive frontcourt option.

And those are only the projected starters.

Curtis Williams Jr., Frankquon Sherman, Conrad Martinez and Braden Hausen would have major roles on almost any other team in the conference.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 31-5
Big South Record: 15-1
Torvik Big South Rank: 1
Blue Ribbon Rank: 1

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: CJ Brown, Jason Rivera Torres, Cam'Ron Fletcher, Isaac Garrett, Filip Brankovic
Next group: Curtis Williams Jr., Frankquon Sherman, Conrad Martinez, Braden Hausen
Best player: Cam'Ron Fletcher
Biggest advantage: Talent and depth at every position

The Question

Can High Point handle being the hunted for another full season?

The Panthers are good enough to dominate the league again. The challenge is maintaining an edge through a 16-game conference schedule when nearly every opponent will treat them as its biggest game.

MMH Outlook

Anything short of another Big South title would be a disappointment.

High Point has the best roster, the best recent track record and the largest margin for error in the conference.

2. Presbyterian

Continuity matters more than ever

Presbyterian is the team MMH trusts most behind High Point.

Torvik has the Blue Hose fourth. MMH is moving them to second because the roster has something that is increasingly rare in college basketball: real continuity.

Carl Parrish returns after averaging 14.4 points. Triston Wilson averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 assists while functioning as a 6-7 creator. Jaylen Peterson returns after winning Big South Defensive Player of the Year and averaging 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

Chidi Chiakwelu gives Quinton Ferrell another long interior defender. Erik Taylor and Iverson King return after injuries limited their seasons. EJ Smith adds another experienced ball-handler.

This team knows how it wants to play.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 15-18
Big South Record: 7-9
Torvik Big South Rank: 4
Blue Ribbon Rank: 2

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Carl Parrish, Triston Wilson, EJ Smith, Chidi Chiakwelu, Jaylen Peterson
Next group: Erik Taylor, Iverson King, Khalon Hudson, JD Bowden
Best player: Jaylen Peterson
Biggest advantage: Returning production and defensive identity

The Question

Can Presbyterian turn experience into a top-two offense?

The Blue Hose can defend and rebound. The separator will be whether Parrish, Wilson and Smith create enough efficient offense against the league's best teams.

MMH Outlook

This is the team most likely to make High Point uncomfortable over a full league season.

The ceiling may not be as explosive as Longwood's or Winthrop's, but the floor is higher.

3. Longwood

MJ Williams changes the offense

Longwood has the player MMH believes could make the biggest immediate difference outside High Point.

MJ Williams averaged 10.0 points and 4.2 assists at Eastern Kentucky and finished among the ASUN leaders in assists. He is small at 5-10, but his speed, paint touches and passing fit Longwood's style.

TJ Robinson gives the Lancers another creator. Jaylen Benard and Alphonzo Billups III provide continuity. Billups has the size and experience to become one of the league's best two-way wings.

The frontcourt is almost completely rebuilt, but Domas Kauzonas, Kany Musungay and Lazar Milosevic give Ronnie Thomas three different physical options.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 16-16
Big South Record: 8-8
Torvik Big South Rank: 2
Blue Ribbon Rank: 3

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: MJ Williams, TJ Robinson, Jaylen Benard, Alphonzo Billups III, Domas Kauzonas
Next group: Elijah Kelly, Kany Musungay, Lazar Milosevic, Abu Yarmah
Best player: MJ Williams
X-factor: Frontcourt chemistry

The Question

Can the new interior group defend and rebound well enough to support an excellent backcourt?

MMH Outlook

Longwood has top-two upside.

MMH puts the Lancers third only because Presbyterian has more proven continuity. If Williams immediately becomes one of the league's best guards, Longwood can finish second.

4. Winthrop

Mark Prosser reloads again

Winthrop went 23-11 last season, finished second in the league and reached the Big South title game.

Then the Eagles lost all five starters.

That would normally force a major preseason reset. Mark Prosser has assembled enough experienced guards and forwards to keep Winthrop in the top half.

Anthony Smith III brings speed and ball-screen creation from North Dakota. Micah Davis adds another point guard. Tyler Parrish averaged 13.9 points at Indianapolis. Tee Harris Jr. averaged 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds at Wheeling.

Spence Sims, last year's Big South Freshman of the Year at Gardner-Webb, may be one of the most valuable bench pieces in the conference.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 23-11
Big South Record: 13-3
Torvik Big South Rank: 3
Blue Ribbon Rank: 4

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Anthony Smith III, Micah Davis, Tyler Parrish, Tee Harris Jr., George Natsvlishvili
Next group: Spence Sims, Kyle Morgan, Keshawn Fisher, Tai Hamilton
Best offensive weapon: Tyler Parrish
Biggest concern: Replacing an entire starting lineup

The Question

How quickly can a completely new rotation defend at Winthrop's usual level?

MMH Outlook

Winthrop has enough talent to finish second.

Fourth reflects uncertainty more than a lack of ability.

5. UNC Asheville

Plenty of ways to create offense

UNC Asheville has one of the more interesting guard rooms in the Big South.

Ja'Corey Lipkins averaged 14.3 points at Charleston (W.V.) before redshirting last season at Purdue Fort Wayne. Tylon Chatman averaged 14.1 points and 3.7 assists at Lee University. Connor Dubsky returns. Kelcy Phipps may be the best perimeter defender on the roster. Khayri Dunn produced useful minutes at Georgia Southern.

The frontcourt has continuity, too.

Myles Mayfield made the Big South All-Freshman Team after averaging 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds. Daniel Thomas started 19 games and averaged 6.0 rebounds in league play. Sage Tolentino gives Mike Morrell a 7-footer with experience.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 15-17
Big South Record: 8-8
Torvik Big South Rank: 5
Blue Ribbon Rank: 5

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Ja'Corey Lipkins, Tylon Chatman, Connor Dubsky, Myles Mayfield, Daniel Thomas
Next group: Kelcy Phipps, Khayri Dunn, Jermaurhiyun Anderson, Sage Tolentino
Breakout candidate: Ja'Corey Lipkins
Biggest strength: Guard depth

The Question

Who becomes the reliable late-game scorer against the league's best defenses?

MMH Outlook

Fifth feels conservative.

The Bulldogs have enough guards and enough returning frontcourt experience to climb into the top four if Lipkins becomes the scorer MMH expects.

6. Radford

The official MMH sleeper

Radford finished third in the Big South last season.

Then almost everybody left.

Torvik sees the uncertainty and places the Highlanders sixth. MMH agrees with the placement but likes the roster much more than a normal sixth-place team.

Ja'Corey Robinson is the key.

The 6-6 sophomore averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists at Austin Peay and is expected to handle much of the point-guard responsibility. Tristan Gross shot 43.5 percent from three at Mercer. Jordyn Kee brings high-major experience from Miami. Mathieu Grujicic adds another 6-7 perimeter option.

Cameron Jackson gives Radford a 6-8, 240-pound interior presence after shooting 62.7 percent at UT Arlington.

This roster is young, but it is big and athletic.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 16-16
Big South Record: 9-7
Torvik Big South Rank: 6
Blue Ribbon Rank: 6

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Ja'Corey Robinson, Jordyn Kee, Tristan Gross, Mathieu Grujicic, Cameron Jackson
Next group: Zion Walker, Gabriel Ferreira, Parby Kabamba, Warren Keel Jr.
Sleeper centerpiece: Ja'Corey Robinson
Biggest variable: Chemistry

The Question

Can Zach Chu turn a second consecutive rebuilt roster into a functioning team faster than last year?

MMH Outlook

Sixth is the projection.

Top three is the upside.

That is exactly why Radford is the official MMH Big South Sleeper.

7. Charleston Southern

Bigger, deeper and harder to play through

Charleston Southern won 15 games last season and was more competitive than its 6-10 league record suggests.

The Bucs return Jacob Taylor, a Big South All-Freshman selection, and add veteran scoring guard Jackson Crawford, who averaged 15.3 points at Emory & Henry.

The more noticeable change is size.

Lase Olalere is 6-11. Tito Deng is 7-0. Devin Brafford is 7-1. Mathok Majok is 7-4.

Saah Nimley will have more options than almost anyone in the league when matching frontcourt size.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 15-17
Big South Record: 6-10
Torvik Big South Rank: 7
Blue Ribbon Rank: 8

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Jackson Crawford, Jacob Taylor, Nicholas Errica, Lase Olalere, Tito Deng
Next group: Alex Harper, Mathok Majok, Devin Brafford, Jefferson McLamb
Best perimeter scorer: Jackson Crawford
Biggest advantage: Interior length

The Question

Can the Bucs score efficiently enough in the half court?

MMH Outlook

Charleston Southern is the team MMH is moving one spot above Blue Ribbon.

The size and guard depth make the Bucs more interesting than a typical seventh-place projection.

8. USC Upstate

Better size, almost no continuity

USC Upstate returns only a small part of last season's rotation, but Marty Richter finally has the positional size he has been trying to build.

Coen Collier is 7-1 and much stronger than he was a year ago. Miles Webb averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds at Delaware State. David Tubek brings high-major experience.

The backcourt is completely reworked.

Jalyn Patterson averaged 14.0 points at Navarro College. Amont'e Allen-Johnson brings experience and playmaking. Waqo Tessema is a proven shooter. Ries Naugle gives the Spartans another scoring guard.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 13-19
Big South Record: 5-11
Torvik Big South Rank: 8
Blue Ribbon Rank: 7

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Amont'e Allen-Johnson, Jalyn Patterson, Waqo Tessema, Miles Webb, Coen Collier
Next group: David Tubek, CJ Rich, Ries Naugle, Zachary Johnson
Newcomer to watch: Jalyn Patterson
Biggest challenge: Continuity

The Question

Can a mostly new backcourt create enough efficient offense against Division I pressure?

MMH Outlook

There are pieces to outperform eighth.

There are simply more known quantities above the Spartans.

9. Gardner-Webb

A complete rebuild after a difficult season

Gardner-Webb went 4-29 last season and 1-15 in league play.

The roster is almost entirely different.

The biggest addition may be DJ Daniel, a 6-6 point guard who averaged 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists at Frostburg State. Seth Brown adds another productive Division II scorer. Jamias Ferere returns as a useful 6-6 wing.

Jeremy Luther also rebuilt the frontcourt around size and motor.

Mikhail Pocknett is a physical 6-6 forward. Ginuwine Tropnas is 6-10. Brave Rutsindura is 6-11 and blocked 1.4 shots per game at Navarro College. Sam Nosakhare gives Gardner-Webb another mobile big.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 4-29
Big South Record: 1-15
Torvik Big South Rank: 9
Blue Ribbon Rank: 9

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: DJ Daniel, Jamias Ferere, Seth Brown, Mikhail Pocknett, Ginuwine Tropnas
Next group: Ace Talbert, Rue Wells, Brave Rutsindura, Jackson Skipper
Best newcomer: DJ Daniel
Biggest challenge: Building winning habits after a 29-loss season

The Question

How quickly can a brand-new roster become competitive defensively?

MMH Outlook

Gardner-Webb should be better.

The gap from last season to the middle of the Big South is simply too large for MMH to project a major jump before seeing it.

MMH Top 10 Players

1. Cam'Ron Fletcher - High Point

The preseason MMH Player of the Year.

Fletcher is the best returning player on the best team and already proved he can produce on the NCAA Tournament stage.

2. Jaylen Peterson - Presbyterian

The reigning Big South Defensive Player of the Year anchors the league's most experienced challenger.

Peterson changes games at the rim and gives Presbyterian reliable interior production.

3. CJ Brown - High Point

A high-level creator joining the league's deepest roster.

Brown's ability to run the offense without needing to dominate every possession is a major reason High Point fits together so well on paper.

4. Carl Parrish - Presbyterian

A proven 14-point scorer who has already shown he can create against Big South defenses.

Presbyterian does not need him to become a different player. It needs the best version of the player he already is.

5. MJ Williams - Longwood

Williams may be the most important newcomer outside High Point.

His speed, passing and paint-touch ability give Longwood a point guard capable of elevating everyone around him.

6. Jason Rivera Torres - High Point

If healthy, Rivera Torres could finish much higher than sixth.

A 6-7 wing who averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists gives High Point another matchup problem few Big South teams can answer.

7. Isaac Garrett - High Point

Garrett produced 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds at Oakland and gives the Panthers another skilled, physical frontcourt option.

8. Triston Wilson - Presbyterian

A 6-7 creator who averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 assists is unusual at this level.

Wilson's playmaking gives Presbyterian a different look from most Big South backcourts.

9. Ja'Corey Lipkins - UNC Asheville

This is a breakout projection.

Lipkins averaged 14.3 points and shot better than 40 percent from three at Charleston (W.V.) before redshirting last season.

10. Tyler Parrish - Winthrop

Parrish averaged 13.9 points at Indianapolis and should have every opportunity to become one of Winthrop's primary scorers.

Newcomers Worth Watching

CJ Brown, High Point - Immediate lead-guard candidate on the conference favorite.

Jason Rivera Torres, High Point - One of the most productive transfers in the league if healthy.

Isaac Garrett, High Point - Size, rebounding and efficient scoring.

MJ Williams, Longwood - The player most likely to change the shape of Longwood's offense.

Anthony Smith III, Winthrop - Speedy point guard who fits Mark Prosser's system.

Tylon Chatman, UNC Asheville - Proven scoring and playmaking from the Division II level.

Ja'Corey Robinson, Radford - A 6-6 primary ballhandler is a major part of the sleeper case.

Jackson Crawford, Charleston Southern - Veteran scorer who should immediately stabilize the backcourt.

Jalyn Patterson, USC Upstate - Explosive junior-college guard with a clear path to a major role.

DJ Daniel, Gardner-Webb - Big lead guard with production and playmaking.

MMH Sleeper: Radford

Radford is exactly the kind of preseason team MMH wants in a sleeper spot.

The Highlanders are not being picked near the top. Both Torvik and Blue Ribbon have them sixth.

But the roster does not look like a typical sixth-place Big South roster.

Ja'Corey Robinson gives Radford a 6-6 point guard. Jordyn Kee and Mathieu Grujicic bring high-major backgrounds. Tristan Gross brings shooting and leadership. Cameron Jackson adds the kind of physical interior player Radford lacked last season.

The concern is obvious.

Almost everybody is new.

That makes the range of outcomes enormous. Radford could need two months to find reliable roles. It could also discover quickly that Robinson is one of the league's best creators and that the size around him creates matchup advantages.

MMH projects Radford sixth.

MMH would not be surprised if the Highlanders finish third.

MMH Breakout Candidate: Ja'Corey Lipkins

UNC Asheville has enough returning size and enough veteran guards to give Lipkins freedom to score.

His last full season produced 14.3 points per game and better than 40 percent three-point shooting at Charleston (W.V.).

The competition is higher now.

So is the opportunity.

If Lipkins translates that scoring to the Big South, Asheville's ceiling moves considerably higher than fifth.

Preseason MMH Awards

Player of the Year: Cam'Ron Fletcher, High Point
Newcomer of the Year: CJ Brown, High Point
Defensive Player of the Year: Jaylen Peterson, Presbyterian
Breakout Player: Ja'Corey Lipkins, UNC Asheville
Sleeper Team: Radford
Conference Champion: High Point

Games to Circle First

High Point at Presbyterian - January 6

The first real test of MMH's top two.

Presbyterian gets the first meeting at home and will have an opportunity to prove that continuity can narrow the talent gap.

High Point at Radford - January 9

An early measuring-stick game for the sleeper.

If Radford's new roster is ready immediately, this is the type of game that will show it.

High Point at Winthrop - January 20

A rematch of last season's Big South championship game.

Winthrop's roster is completely different, but the program's expectations are not.

High Point vs. Presbyterian - February 20

The second meeting could have major regular-season implications if Presbyterian stays within striking distance.

High Point vs. Radford - February 27

The final day of the regular season.

If Radford hits its upside, this could become much more important than the preseason projections suggest.

The MMH View

High Point is the best team in the Big South by a significant margin.

There is no contrarian reason to pretend otherwise.

The more interesting part of the league is the group chasing the Panthers.

Presbyterian has the best continuity. Longwood may have the best new lead guard. Winthrop has the program stability to survive a total roster rebuild. UNC Asheville has breakout upside in the backcourt.

And Radford is the team MMH believes can make the preseason order look wrong.

The Highlanders are sixth because projecting a nearly new rotation above experienced teams would be aggressive.

They are the sleeper because the talent level says sixth does not have to be the ceiling.

High Point is the pick.

Presbyterian is the safest challenger.

Radford is the team MMH will be watching most closely.