Buckle up, basketball fans—the preseason buzz for college hoops is heating up, and it might just challenge what you think you know about underdog success!
The Big South Conference has just wrapped up its 2025-26 preseason basketball media day, kicking off the excitement with official polls and all-conference team announcements. For those new to the scene, preseason rankings are like a sneak peek into the season's potential, based on expert opinions and team previews—think of them as educated guesses that often spark debates and surprises. And this is the part most people miss: these picks aren't set in stone; they're a starting point that can flip depending on injuries, chemistry, and those unexpected breakout performances.
Charleston Southern University's men's basketball squad has been slotted in at seventh place in the nine-team league, while their women's team is projected to finish fifth. It's a solid middle-ground spot, but for fans of the Buccaneers, it might feel like a challenge to prove the doubters wrong. On the men's side, guard A’lahn Sumler earned a spot on the second-team preseason all-conference list, showcasing his promise despite missing last season due to an injury. His stats from two years ago—nearly 14 points per game—hint at the scoring punch he could bring back. For the women, guard Tyonna Bailey also landed on the second team, recognized for her defensive prowess as one of the Big South's top stoppers.
To give some context for newcomers, let's rewind to last season's results. The men's team wrapped up with a 10-22 overall record and a 6-12 mark in conference play, which, while not ideal, reflects the rebuilding phase many programs go through. Coach Saah Nimley saw several key players graduate or transfer out, leaving him with just three returnees from the previous year's roster. But here's where it gets controversial: rebuilding with talent from Division II, NAIA, and junior college ranks is a bold strategy that some praise for injecting fresh energy, while others argue it disrupts team chemistry and long-term success. Nimley, however, is optimistic, stating, "I am very excited to see this team play against other teams." It's a classic case of high hopes versus skepticism—does importing talent from lower divisions level the playing field, or does it create uneven matchups?
The women's team fared a bit better last year with a 14-16 record, but Coach Clarisse White faced her own hurdles, losing her top two scorers. Nonetheless, Bailey stepped up as a key contributor, averaging 8.9 points per game and earning that all-conference nod. Both squads kick off their seasons on the road on November 3, with the men taking on Virginia Tech and the women facing Jacksonville—a tough start that could set the tone early.
And this is the part most people miss: the preseason favorites are High Point University, predicted to claim both the men's and women's championships. Their women's player of the year pick, Nevaeh Zavala, is generating plenty of buzz, while UNC Asheville's Toyaz Solomon is the men's honoree. It's easy to root for the underdogs like CSU when the top spots are so dominated, but could this lead to an upset? For instance, imagine a junior college transfer exploding onto the scene—it's happened before in college basketball, turning preseason doubts into playoff dreams.
Here's the full preseason men's basketball ranking for a quick reference:
- High Point
- UNC Asheville
- Longwood
- Radford
- Winthrop
- Presbyterian
- Charleston Southern
- Gardner-Webb
- USC Upstate
And for the women's side:
- High Point
- Longwood
- Radford
- Winthrop
- Charleston Southern
- USC Upstate
- Gardner-Webb
- Presbyterian
- UNC Asheville
What do you think—can Charleston Southern defy these odds and climb the rankings with their rebuilt rosters? Is the transfer portal revolutionizing college sports for the better, or creating more chaos? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you're siding with the hype or betting on the comebacks!
