SoCon Fast Break

Not even a winter storm could slow things down in the Southern Conference!We discuss the "Winter Storm 2026" scheduling shakeup and a week of basketball that defied the odds. From a historic comeback in Charleston to a superstar performance in Spartanburg, the SoCon is starting to see some separation at the top of the standings.In this Episode:The 0.5% Miracle: A dive into The Citadel’s legendary 19-point comeback against Furman—one of the "greatest escapes" in program history.Kahmare Holmes is a Problem: After a 36-point explosion against Samford and a near triple-double against Mercer, Holmes is our clear Player of the Week.Power Rankings: ETSU (7-1) remains the frontrunner, but Wofford (6-2) is surging into second place. We break down the "Big Four" and the battle to stay out of the opening night in Asheville.Gritty Road Wins: How ETSU found a way to win in the "Battle of Tennessee" despite a tough shooting night at Chattanooga.Free Throw Madness: Discussing Samford's ridiculous second-half turnaround at the line—missing 10 of their first 13, then hitting 18 of their final 19.Featured Players & Teams: We highlight standout performances from Sola Adebisi (The Citadel), Jadin Booth (Samford), Blake Barkley (ETSU), Justin Neely (UNCG), and Tom House (Furman).What surprises will we see this week?Presented by Ingles Markets

In this "Coach Edition" of SoCon Fast Break, we sit down with Mercer head coach Ryan Ridder to discuss the Bears' explosive start to the conference season. Coach Ridder shares how his team transitioned from a defensive-focused group in the summer to becoming the most efficient, high-octane offense in the Southern Conference today.In this episode:The Offensive Explosion: Insights into the "mind-boggling" numbers Mercer is putting up and the development of Baraka Okojie and Armani Mighty.Building a Program: Coach Ridder shares his blueprint for quick turnarounds and his non-negotiable core values: toughness, unselfishness, and being a great teammate.A Family Affair: The impact of working alongside his brother, assistant coach Reed Ridder, and growing up in a legendary coaching family.The "Aerospace" Advantage: Does an Aerospace Studies degree from Embry-Riddle actually help with offensive efficiency?.Recruiting for Fit: How the staff identified the specific pieces—shooting, IQ, and toughness—needed to compete at the top of the SoCon.Life Beyond the Court: Coach talks about his transition to the Blackstone grill, his golf game, and the importance of being present with his wife and three daughtersWhat's the ceiling for Mercer this year?Presented by Ingles Markets

A third of the way through the conference slate, the SoCon is reaching a fever pitch, with elite individual performances and a wild week in which road teams dominated, winning 8 of 10 games. In this episode:Nationally Dominant: A deep dive into Armani Mighty’s historic week for Mercer, including a 25-rebound performance against VMI—the most in college basketball since 2023. Team of the Week: Why the Chattanooga Mocs earned the honors after a perfect 2-0 road trip, and Coach Dan Earl secured his 150th career victory. Road Warriors: Analysis of the "gold trophy" wins from the past week, including Western Carolina’s upset of ETSU and Blake Barkley’s last-second heroics. Rebounding Powerhouse: Examining the national stats that show the Southern Conference currently boasts three of the top 16 rebounders in the entire country.Power Rankings: We reveal our updated 1–10 list as the hunt for the regular season championship intensifies. Can anyone stop Armani Mighty?Presented by Ingles Markets

What does it feel like to get the "dream job" call just days before the season begins? We’re joined by Wofford Head Coach Kevin Giltner to pull back the curtain on his "whirlwind" return to Spartanburg and the Terriers' impressive 3-1 start to Southern Conference play.In this exclusive Coach Edition of SoCon Fast Break, Giltner shares:The Sudden Call: His "I'm in" moment and the emotional reality of taking over his alma mater in a matter of days.Relationship-First Culture: Why he prioritized getting to know his players' "why" over X's and O's during his first month as a "firefighter".Freshman Impact: Highlighting why this year's rookie class—including Brian Sumpter and Chace Whatley—is one of the best the league has seen in years.The I-85 Rivalry: A preview of what to expect when Wofford heads to the new Timmons Arena to face Furman.Plus, Coach Giltner shares his respect for the elite coaching in the SoCon and how he spends his rare off-days hiking with his family in national parks.Presented by Ingles Markets

The Southern Conference hierarchy is beginning to take shape. This week was defined by breakthroughs, defensive masterclasses, and an offensive explosion in Macon that has the rest of the league on high alert.In this episode:The Streak is Over: Analysis of The Citadel’s emotional overtime win against Western Carolina, snapping a 37-game losing streak against Division I opponents and the "electric" atmosphere at McAlister Fieldhouse.ETSU’s Dominance: Why the Bucs are the lone 4-0 team in the league, boasting a top-30 national scoring defense and the emerging impact of high-major transfer Blake Barkley.Mercer’s Offensive Clinic: How the Bears averaged a staggering 105 PPG this week, highlighted by a 109-point performance where they shot 63% from both the field and beyond the arc.Chattanooga’s Season-Saver: Why the Mocs' victory over Samford was a "must-win" for their postseason aspirations, despite ongoing injury struggles.The 500 Club: We look at the parity in the middle of the pack, including UNCG’s rebounding dominance with Justin Neely and the efficiency of Jadin Booth for Samford.The team of the Week: ETSU and the Player of the Week: Mercer's Baraka OkojieIs ETSU the best team in the SoCon?Presented by Ingles Markets

After just two games of conference play, the standings are already providing surprises, from winless starts for preseason contenders to dominant defensive statements.In this episode:The Power Rankings Shift: Why ETSU claims the #1 spot with their elite defensive efficiency.National Recognition: Nils Machowski’s historic week for Wofford, earning him Lou Henson National Player of the Week honors after averaging 32 points per game.Physicality & Ball Security: How UNCG pulled off a nearly impossible stat—zero turnovers in the second half against Samford.Scoring Threats: Why Jadin Booth is proving to be the most dangerous pure scorer in the league for Samford.Early Upsets: Recapping Western Carolina’s overtime thriller at Furman and VMI’s statement win over Chattanooga.Games to Watch: Wofford and UNCG, battle for a chance to start 3-0—a mark that historically guarantees a top-three finish in the final standings.What observations have you made after two conference games?Presented by Ingles Markets

Conference play in the Southern Conference is officially here, and the quest for Asheville begins now! In This Episode:Conference Tip-Off: We preview the opening slate of games, including the 106th season of SoCon basketball, tipping off with ETSU at The Citadel.Surprise Standings: Discussing Wofford’s unexpected rise under Kevin Gilder and the challenging non-conference schedules of teams like Western Carolina.The "Penthouse" Quadrant: A look at the statistical relationship between points in the paint and fast-break points. Why Mercer, Wofford, Furman, and ETSU are leading the way in offensive efficiency.Players of the Week: Celebrating Chattanooga’s Jordan Frison and Wofford freshman Jaden Tyler for their explosive performances.Special Guest: Ben Vander Wal (Furman Paladins)Who will climb to the top of the conference standings?Presented by Ingles Markets

MID-TERM GRADES: Final exams are over and conference play is just two weeks away! We transition from observations to definitive trends handing out official mid-term grades for all 10 teams!In This Episode:ETSU Buccaneers (Grade: A-): Brook Savage has the Bucs (8-3) at the top of the class with a NET of 100 and elite defensive metrics.Mercer Bears (Grade: A): The surprise of the league. Ryan Ridder’s offense is clicking, and they proved their top-tier status by leading Clemson at halftime.Wofford Terriers (Grade: B+): Kevin Giltner has righted the ship. The Terriers are the most "connected" unit in the league with a surging freshman class.Samford Bulldogs (Grade: B): Finding their rhythm after a brutal early schedule. The Booth/Faulkner duo is a recipe for a deep March run.Furman Paladins (Grade: B): Peaking at the right time. Alex Wilkins is the clear freshman phenom, and the frontcourt size is a nightmare for opponents.VMI Keydets (Grade: C+): Resiliency in Lexington! Even without preseason POY Ricky Bradley Jr., the Keydets are battling and securing D1 wins.Chattanooga Mocs (Grade: C+): Preseason favorites turned "mash unit." We analyze if they can survive the injury bug before January.Western Carolina Catamounts (Grade: C): The league’s best rebounding team (40+ RPG) still searching for perimeter consistency.UNCG Spartans (Grade: C-): Defensive struggles for Mike Jones? Giving up 83 PPG is uncharacteristic—can they flip the switch?The Citadel Bulldogs (Grade: D+): Searching for that elusive D1 win while battling defensive hurdles and a long losing streak.What's the biggest mid-term grade surprise?Presented by Ingles Markets

We break down the SoCon's Top 10 Storylines, separating early trends from final conclusions as the league will turn their attention to conference play soon!In This Episode:SoCon Frontrunners: ETSU's defensive dominance and Mercer's high-scoring backcourt (led by Baraka Okojie) are signaling championship trajectories.Freshman Phenom: Why Alex Wilkins (Furman) is playing like a seasoned star and Kevin Giltner (Wofford) is the early frontrunner for Coach of the Year.The Crisis: The biggest mystery—Rickey Bradley Jr.'s undisclosed injury (VMI). Plus, analyzing UNCG's surprising defensive struggles and The Citadel's historic losing skid.League-Wide Concern: Why the SoCon NET ranking dipping to No. 21 impacts NCAA Tournament seeding and the chances of a second bid.Barometer Week: A look at the final key non-conference tests for Mercer, ETSU, and Chattanooga.What storyline is missing?Presented by Ingles Markets

We examine the SoCon's most surprising early-season moments! In This Episode:Triple-Double History: Celebrating Brian Taylor II's rare historic feat for ETSU as the Bucs look like the team to beat (6-1).Freshman ASCENT: Why Alex Wilkins (Furman) and Brian Sumpter (Wofford) are leading the charge for freshman talent in the league.Top Performers: Breaking down Baraka Okojie's stat-stuffing dominance (Mercer) and Kahmare Holmes' consistent scoring tear (Wofford).The Jigsaw Puzzle: Analyzing the slow starts of expected contenders Chattanooga and UNCG, and the six-game skid for VMI without Rickey Bradley Jr.Barometer Games: Previewing some crucial tests that will determine the final non-conference records before SoCon play begins.Which teams have the pieces to the puzzle?Presented by Ingles Markets

Time to talk Feast Week and the state of the SoCon with national analyst Rocco Miller (Bracketeer.org)!In This Episode:Mid-Major Crisis: Rocco details how NCAA Tournament expansion and biased NET rankings hurt quality SoCon teams like Furman from getting at-large bids and valuable Quad 1/2 games.SoCon Standouts: Wofford's surprising start under Kevin Giltner. TJ Johnson (VMI) leads in scoring. Jadin Booth and Keaton Norris form Samford's explosive backcourt.Contender Check: Why early struggles for favorites like Furman and Chattanooga are temporary, and what UNCG's first win tells us about their defense.Scheduling Insight: We discuss the SoCon/ASUN Challenge and why Rocco applauds the SoCon's 10-year commitment to the Asheville Tournament.What will we see in Feast Week?Presented by Ingles Markets

In the early weeks of SoCon non-conference action, we analyze the early risers, surprise starts across the league, and dive into the SoCon/ASUN Challenge.In This Episode:Wofford Miracle: How new coach Kevin Giltner stabilized the Terriers for a competitive start, despite the coaching chaos.Star Performers: TJ Johnson (VMI) is a top scorer in the nation. Jadin Booth and Keaton Norris (Samford) form one of the league's most explosive backcourts.The Struggle: Why Furman and Chattanooga are off to uncharacteristic slow starts, and which Mid-Major teams like Mercer are making the leap.Ingles Exclusive: Melissa Leavell (Ingles Markets) discusses the Ingles SoCon Tournament partnership and fan engagement.Who will continue to rise?Presented by Ingles Markets

The Chattanooga Mocs are the preseason favorite after their historic 29-win season and NIT Championship. Coach Dan Earl must replace an entire All-SoCon backcourt.In This Episode:The Challenge: Replacing over 2,000 points (Huff/Bonham) and translating a fully overhauled roster into championship success, as voted by the Preseason Coaches Poll.The New Core: Colin Mohalland ("The Big Maple") is the new frontcourt leader after his NIT breakout.Backcourt Reload: Analyzing the high-impact transfers like Jakari Johnson and Billy Smith that fit Coach Earl's efficient, motion-based system.Prediction: We set the floor at No. 2 or No. 3 seed and project the ceiling to be SoCon Regular Season and Tournament Champions, making them a dangerous NCAA Tournament opponent.How will the Mocs respond as the hunted?Presented by Ingles Markets

The Furman Paladins are fueled by the sting of their SoCon Championship loss. Coach Bob Richey is rebuilding the backcourt by leaning on the potential best frontcourt in the league.In This Episode:The Overhaul: Furman replaces 54% of its scoring (PJay Smith & Nick Anderson), relying on Richey's mastery of player development and the "work while you wait" culture.Frontcourt Power: Cooper Bowser (DPOY candidate) and Charles Johnston anchor the interior, creating a powerful inside-out offense.Freshman Star: Meet Alex Wilkins, the freshman floor general with the "it factor" who is set to be a star in the Southern Conference.Prediction: We discuss why the floor is a No. 3 seed and the ceiling is SoCon Champions and an NCAA Tournament threat. Plus, the impact of the new Timmons Arena.Will last year's loss in the SoCon title game provide fuel for the Paladins?Presented by Ingles Markets

"Bucky Ball" is done! Samford brought in Hall of Fame Coach Lennie Acuff to lead a massive roster overhaul and challenge for the SoCon title immediately.In This Episode:Coaching Shift: Acuff replaces Bucky McMillan, bringing a disciplined, Princeton-style offense to Homewood and relying on his extensive Alabama ties.The New Core: Analyzing the explosive impact expected from Jadin Booth (DII All-American shooter) and Dylan Faulkner (Preseason All-SoCon forward/Acuff transfer).System Integration: Can Acuff quickly mesh his new players and shift the team's tempo to maintain the elite offensive efficiency the program is known for?Prediction: We set the floor at 5th and the ceiling at contending for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the SoCon standings, thanks to Acuff's winning pedigree.How quickly can Samford be a contender?Presented by Ingles Markets

The ETSU Buccaneers are facing a massive void after losing SoCon Player of the Year, Quimari Peterson. Coach Brook Savage brought in 10 transfers to uphold the defensive culture.In This Episode:The Challenge: Replacing the team's top four scorers and maintaining defensive identity while finding offensive efficiency.Targeted Reload: Analyzing the key impact transfers like floor general Jaylen Smith (Preseason All-SoCon), elite volume shooter Milton Matthews III, Brian Taylor II, and Cam Morris III.The Culture: Why the Freedom Hall atmosphere and a travel-friendly schedule give this new roster a chance to contend immediately.Prediction: We set the floor at 7th and the ceiling at contending for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed going into the SoCon Tournament in Asheville.How quickly can ETSU gel?Presented by Ingles Markets

The UNCG Spartans face a massive roster rebuild after losing their top three scorers. Head Coach Mike Jones must maintain his elite defense while solving the biggest question: offense.In This Episode:Elite Defense, Missing Offense: UNCG's defense was 15th nationally (65 PPG allowed), but they lost their top perimeter threats. The Rebuild: Mike Jones relies heavily on the Transfer Portal for tough, defensive-minded players.New Faces: Highlighting Donald Whitehead Jr. (DII POY) as the expected new floor general, and analyzing efficient transfers like Valentino Pinedo (60% FG).Strategic Move: We discuss the importance of playing more games at the intimate Fleming Gymnasium for a louder home-court advantage.Prediction: We set the floor at 6th and the ceiling at 3rd place in the SoCon standings.Can the Spartans break the curse in Asheville?Presented by Ingles Markets

The VMI Keydets have the most returning production in the SoCon! We analyze the pressure on Rickey Bradley Jr. (the SoCon’s first VMI Preseason POY) to lead the Keydets to the top tier.In This Episode:The Turnaround: Coach Andrew Wilson achieved an 11-game improvement despite having the bottom 25th defense and a brutal 10-game losing streak.Core & X-Factor: Rickey Bradley Jr.'s scoring load. Can TJ Johnson solidify his role as the crucial secondary scorer?Challenges: Replacing Auggie Kiaudulias' rebounding and facing the toughest opening conference schedule (Samford, Chattanooga, ETSU, Furman).Prediction: We set the floor at 6th and the ceiling at 4th place in the SoCon standings, which would secure a vital first-round bye in Asheville.How high can Rickey Bradley, Jr. take VMI?Presented by Ingles Markets

The Mercer Bears are undergoing a massive roster overhaul in Year 2 under Coach Ryan Ridder! We look at a team poised to defy expectations with new talent from the transfer portal.In This Episode:The Overhaul: Mercer replaces 72 PPG, losing 7 of 8 top scorers. We analyze why last year's fast tempo combined with poor defense made a brutal finish.X-Factors: Baraka Okojie (Memphis/George Mason transfer) is the high-potential guard who could be a major defensive disruptor and playmaker.New Foundation: Sophomore Captain Brady Shoulders provides the core, supported by transfers like 6'10" big man Armani Mighty (Size/Rim Protection) and veteran Zaire Williams.Prediction: We set the floor at 9th and the ceiling at 5th or 6th place in the Southern Conference, potentially making Mercer a major SoCon Tournament spoiler in Asheville!Can Ryan Ridder and the Bears defy expectations?Presented by Ingles Markets

The Catamounts could be poised for a big leap here in the 2025-26 season! We analyze Coach Tim Craft's strategic roster moves and the return of star Marcus Kell.In This Episode:SoCon Breakout Star: Why Marcus Kell is earning Preseason All-SoCon buzz and is primed for a huge season.The Problem/Solution: Breaking down WCU's struggles with efficiency (3P% & defense) and how transfers like Julien Soumaro and Tidjiane Dioumassi will improve ball handling and shooting.Key Additions: The impact of 7-footer Abdulai Kabba (rim protection) and explosive wings.Prediction: We set the floor and ceiling, and explain why the Catamounts will be a dangerous spoiler in the SoCon Tournament in Asheville.How high can WCU jump this season?Presented by Ingles Markets