Richmond and Darren Angell look at the high-stakes Saturday evening sessions of the 2026 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships in Asheville. As the tournament heat intensifies, it's a clash between the league's most efficient offenses and the hottest teams entering the weekend.

In this episode:

1. Samford vs. Furman (6 p.m.): We discuss why Samford is considered the "scariest" team in the league despite Furman’s regular-season sweep.
2. The Norris Brothers & Jaden Booth: We analyze the impact of the newly named SoCon Player of the Year and why the Norris brothers are the ultimate X-factor for the Bulldogs.
3. Perimeter Battle: A look at Samford’s league-leading three-point shooting against Furman’s elite perimeter defense.
4. The Health Factor: We explore how the return of Eisa Thomas and Cooper Bowser changes the dynamic for the Paladins.
5. Western Carolina vs. Mercer (Nightcap): A breakdown of the 4 vs. 5 seed matchup featuring Defensive Player of the Year Armani Mighty and the "machine" Talon Pettway.
6. Living at the Stripe: Why Baraka Okojie’s ability to draw fouls makes Mercer’s offense so dangerous, with 23% of their points coming from the free-throw line.

Which team survives?

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The Road to Asheville has officially reached its destination! Richmond and Darren Angell look at the opening round of the SoCon Tournament, focusing on the tactical matchups that will define Friday night at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.

In this episode:

1. The Roundhouse Hex is Broken: How The Citadel’s physical, gutty identity led to their first win in Chattanooga since 2012 and what that means for the rubber match.
2. Depth vs. Star Power: Chattanooga’s 37th-ranked bench production against the "Big Three" of Braxton Williams, Sola Adebisi, and Carter Kingsbury.
3. The Neely Uncertainty: The massive statistical void left for UNCG if national rebounding leader Justin Neely (Ankle) is unable to go.
4. VMI’s Perimeter Siege: Why the Keydets’ high-volume three-point attack (4th in NCAA) makes them a terrifying spoiler for a banged-up Spartan squad.
5. The Frison Factor: How Southern Conference Freshman of the Year candidate Jordan Frison controls the tempo and why he is the X-factor for the Mocs’ tournament run.
6. Charity Stripe Survival: A look at the free-throw disparities that could decide these neutral-site battles late in the second half

Will we see an upset?

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The votes are in and the hardware has been handed out! The Southern Conference has officially announced the 2026 Men’s Basketball awards, and it was a historic day for Samford’s Jadin Booth, aka Jadin Buckets!

In this episode:

1. The Jadin Buckets Era: Reacting to Jadin Booth sweeping the top individual honors and leading the nation in three-pointers.
2. Defensive Dominance: Breaking down the co-winners for Defensive Player of the Year, Cam Morris III and Armani Mighty.
3. Freshman Impact: Why Alex Wilkins’ Second-Team selection cements him as a premier talent despite the lack of a "Freshman of the Year" award.
4. Coach of the Year: Brooke Savage’s consistent leadership at ETSU and the remarkable turnarounds at Wofford and Mercer.

Who got snubbed?

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March is here, and "the madness begins" in the Southern Conference. With the regular season officially wrapped, the bracket is set for Asheville, and the parity in the league has never been higher.

In this episode:

1. The Regular Season Recap: How ETSU clinched the title but is entering the tournament on back-to-back losses.
2. The Asheville Bracket: A look at the opening matchups, including Chattanooga vs. The Citadel and UNCG vs. VMI.
3. Preseason Predictions vs. Reality: We revisit our "Floor and Ceiling" projections to see how Wofford and ETSU defied the odds.
4. The Mystery of Ricky Bradley Jr.: Analyzing the "bizarre" story of the Preseason Player of the Year missing the entire season.
5. Awards & Power Rankings: Why Western Carolina is our "Team of the Week" on a six-game win streak and the historic 40-point performance by Jadin "Buckets" Booth.

Who can take the crown in Asheville?

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The regular season comes to an end, and the seating scenarios are enough to give any fan a headache! While ETSU has already clinched the outright title, the battle for the Top 6 is wide open.

In this episode:

1. ETSU at Mercer: The newly crowned champions take their #1 scoring defense into Macon to face the league's top-scoring offense. We discuss the "Barocco Okogie factor" and whether Mercer’s starters are battling "tired legs" down the stretch.
2. Furman at Western Carolina: The Catamounts are the hottest team in the SoCon with a 5-game winning streak. We analyze the Julian Somalo injury factor and the specific tiebreaker scenarios that could vault WCU into the Top 6.
3. UNCG at Samford: In a rematch of an 89-82 thriller, can Lennie Acuff’s Bulldogs avenge their early-season loss? We explore Samford's motion offense and why the Spartans likely won't repeat their 70% shooting performance from the perimeter.

Chaos is coming to the SoCon!

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It's a Thursday night matchup in the Scenic City as the UNCG Spartans head to "The Roundhouse" to take on the red-hot Chattanooga Mocs. With the Southern Conference standings tightening, this is a "must-win" situation for a Spartan team trying to snap a two-game slide and secure a top-six finish.

In this episode:

1. The First Matchup: A look back at the January 1st season opener where UNCG took a 77-72 victory by dominating the interior and getting to the free-throw line 31 times.
2. Battle of Styles: Why Chattanooga’s 3-point reliance (39% of their points) clashes with UNCG’s need to score from the charity stripe (21% of their points).
3. Inside Presence: The importance of Justin Neely and K.J. Younger to pull the defense away from the perimeter.
4. The Health Factor: How the availability and rhythm of Chattanooga’s personnel, specifically Collin Mulholland, could shift the tide for the Mocs.
5. SoCon Founder's Day: A special tribute to the 105th anniversary of the Southern Conference, officially founded on February 25, 1921.

Can UNCG slow down Chattanooga's offense?

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Wednesday night in the Southern Conference is a powder keg with implications all over the standings. On today’s episode, we break down two massive matchups that will define the race for the #2 seed and the crucial first-round byes in Asheville.

In this episode:

1. The #1 Seed Response: How ETSU will handle the "mountaintop" after clinching their first regular season title since 2019-20.
2. The "Back-Breaker" Stats: A look back at how ETSU’s 19 points off turnovers and 26-of-28 free throw shooting dismantled Wofford in their last meeting.
3. Wofford’s Path to Victory: Why the Terriers must turn the game into a perimeter battle to overcome the interior dominance of Cam Morris III and Blake Barclay.
4. The Closer: Evaluating the impact of SoCon Player of the Week Brian Taylor II as he looks to shut the door in Johnson City.
5. Barnburner in Cullowhee: Can Western Carolina extend their four-game winning streak to secure a top-six position?
6. Mercer’s Road Test: Whether the Bears can replicate their January dominance when they jumped out to a 13-0 lead against the Catamounts.
7. The Difference Makers: The impact of Armani Mighty’s double-doubles and the ability of guys like Zaire Williams to provide extra offensive production.

Can WCU make it 5 in a row?

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Samford’s Jadin Booth is officially the most dangerous threat from deep in college basketball. In this special Player Edition of SoCon Fast Break, we sit down with the man known as "Jadin Buckets" to go beyond the stat sheet and explore the incredible journey that led him to the top of the national rankings.

Jadin opens up about his unique path through the transfer portal and how a devastating knee injury—which he once feared might end his career—actually paved the way to Samford, his marriage, and a renewed sense of purpose.

In this episode:

1. The Sniper’s Mentality: Why Jadin’s "keep it simple" approach is the secret to leading the nation in three-pointers made per game.
2. Life Under Lennie Acuff: Insights into the Princeton-style offense and the "life quotes" that guide the team daily.
3. Beyond the Court: The heart behind the Jadin Booth Elite Camp in Omaha and his dedication to giving back to "Ashton’s Army".
4. Family First: Balancing life as a "true OG" on the roster, his marriage to fellow athlete Kiki Morris, and the excitement of becoming a father.
5. The Inspiration Award: What it meant to receive the Ryan Turell Inspiration Award in Kansas City.
6. Asheville Outlook: Why Samford believes they are a "dangerous team" that can beat anyone when the tournament begins.

Can Jadin help lead Samford to a SoCon Tournament Championship?