The Big South Conference just dropped its 2025-26 preseason basketball rankings, and let’s just say, the stakes are higher than ever. But here’s where it gets controversial: Charleston Southern University (CSU) isn’t exactly sitting at the top of the leaderboard. The men’s team is projected to finish seventh out of nine, while the women’s team lands in fifth place. Is this a fair assessment, or are the Buccaneers being underestimated? Let’s dive in.
During the conference’s media day on Wednesday, preseason polls and all-conference teams were unveiled, sparking plenty of debate among fans and analysts alike. For CSU, the spotlight falls on guard A’lahn Sumler, who earned a second-team preseason all-conference nod for the men’s team, and guard Tyonna Bailey, who secured the same honor for the women’s squad. And this is the part most people miss: Sumler didn’t play last season due to injury, but two seasons ago, he averaged nearly 14 points per game—a stat that could be a game-changer this year.
Speaking of last season, CSU’s men’s team wrapped up with a 10-22 overall record and a 6-12 conference standing. With only three returning players due to graduations and transfers, head coach Saah Nimley has had his work cut out for him. He’s rebuilt the roster with talent from Division II, NAIA, and junior college programs, and his confidence in the team’s chemistry is palpable. “I am very excited to see this team play against other teams,” Nimley said, hinting at a potential underdog story in the making.
On the women’s side, Coach Clarisse White faced her own challenges, losing her top two scorers from last season’s 14-16 record. However, Bailey stepped up as a key performer, averaging 8.9 points per game and solidifying her reputation as one of the Big South’s top defenders. Her presence alone could be a deciding factor in close matchups.
Both CSU teams hit the road for their season openers on November 3. The men will face Virginia Tech, while the women take on Jacksonville. Here’s a bold prediction: Don’t count CSU out just yet. With Sumler’s return and Bailey’s leadership, these teams could surprise everyone.
Meanwhile, High Point dominates the preseason predictions, favored to win both the men’s and women’s championships. High Point’s Nevaeh Zavala is the women’s preseason player of the year, while UNC Asheville’s Toyaz Solomon takes the men’s title. But will they live up to the hype? Only time will tell.
Here’s how the full rankings shake out:
Men’s Basketball Preseason Rankings
1. High Point
2. UNC Asheville
3. Longwood
4. Radford
5. Winthrop
6. Presbyterian
7. Charleston Southern
8. Gardner-Webb
9. USC Upstate
Women’s Basketball Preseason Rankings
1. High Point
2. Longwood
3. Radford
4. Winthrop
5. Charleston Southern
6. USC Upstate
7. Gardner-Webb
8. Presbyterian
9. UNC Asheville
Controversy Alert: Are the preseason rankings too conservative? Should CSU be ranked higher given their potential? And what about High Point—are they overhyped, or the real deal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. This season promises to be full of surprises, and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
