High Point Vs Gardner-Webb 2025 Big South Men's Basketball Championship Preview: Which Team Will Reign Supreme?

The 2025 Big South Men's Basketball Championship is just around the corner, and two teams are gearing up to battle it out for the top spot. High Point University's Panthers and Gardner-Webb University's Runnin' Bulldogs have been on a tear this season, and fans are eager to see which team will emerge victorious. In this article, we'll take a closer look at both teams, their strengths and weaknesses, and provide a detailed preview of the upcoming matchup.

High Point University and Gardner-Webb University have a long history of competition, both on and off the court. The two teams have a combined total of 25 Big South Conference championships, and their rivalry is fueled by a strong sense of regional pride. The 2025 championship matchup promises to be an intense and closely contested battle, with both teams bringing their A-game.

The High Point Panthers have been one of the top teams in the Big South Conference all season. They boast a strong offense, led by their high-powered shooting guard, Tyler Van Dyke. Van Dyke has been on fire, averaging 20 points per game, and is a major factor in the Panthers' success. The team's defense has also been stout, ranking in the top 10 in the conference in defensive efficiency.

On the other hand, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs have been quietly making a push for the top spot in the conference. They've got a solid roster, led by their sharpshooting point guard, Collin Pulley. Pulley has been on a hot streak, averaging 18 points per game, and has been a key factor in the Bulldogs' success. The team's defense has also been impressive, ranking in the top 20 in the conference in defensive efficiency.

Conference Standings

Before we dive into the teams' strengths and weaknesses, let's take a look at the current conference standings.

• High Point University: 12-2, 24-8 overall
• Gardner-Webb University: 11-3, 22-10 overall
• Radford University: 10-4, 20-12 overall
• University of Charleston: 9-5, 19-13 overall
• Campbell University: 8-6, 18-14 overall
• UNC Asheville: 7-7, 15-17 overall
• Longwood University: 6-8, 13-19 overall
• University of North Carolina at Wilmington: 5-9, 10-22 overall

Game Analysis

Now that we've taken a look at the conference standings, let's dive into a detailed analysis of the matchup between the High Point Panthers and the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.

High Point Panthers

• Strengths:
  • High-powered offense, led by Tyler Van Dyke
  • Strong defense, ranking in the top 10 in the conference in defensive efficiency
  • Deep roster, with multiple players capable of contributing on both ends of the court
• Weaknesses:
  • Tendency to turn the ball over, ranking in the middle of the conference in turnover margin
  • Struggles with matchup defense, particularly against taller opponents

Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

• Strengths:
  • Sharpshooting point guard, Collin Pulley
  • Solid defense, ranking in the top 20 in the conference in defensive efficiency
  • Improved rebounding, ranking in the top 15 in the conference in rebounding margin
• Weaknesses:
  • Tendency to struggle with consistent scoring, particularly on the road
  • Limited depth on the bench, making it difficult to maintain a high level of intensity over the course of a 40-minute game

X-Factors

There are several x-factors that could make or break the matchup between the High Point Panthers and the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.

• Tyler Van Dyke vs. Collin Pulley: The two point guards are expected to go head-to-head, and it will be interesting to see how they match up. Van Dyke's ability to score from outside could be a major factor in the game.
• Gardner-Webb's defense vs. High Point's offense: The Bulldogs' defense has been impressive, but the Panthers' offense has been equally potent. It will be interesting to see how the two teams match up on the court.
• Turnover margin: Both teams have struggled with turnovers at times, and the difference in turnover margin could be a major factor in the game.

History of the Series

The rivalry between High Point University and Gardner-Webb University is one of the most storied in the Big South Conference. The two teams have a combined total of 25 conference championships, and their rivalry is fueled by a strong sense of regional pride.

• All-time record: High Point 43-36
• Last meeting: High Point won 75-68
• Margin of victory: High Point's average margin of victory is 4.5 points per game

Predictions and Outlook

Based on the analysis above, here are our predictions and outlook for the matchup between the High Point Panthers and the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.

• Prediction: High Point Panthers win 70-65
• Outlook: The game should be a closely contested battle, with both teams bringing their A-game. The High Point Panthers' offense and defense should give the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs a run for their money, but ultimately, the Panthers' experience and depth should give them the edge they need to win.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, as well as the history of the rivalry, we can gain a deeper understanding of what to