Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
26
Apr
5:30 PM
MIL
IND
+5.5
-5.5
222.5
8:00 PM
LAC
DAL
+4.5
-4.5
211.5
10:30 PM
MIN
PHO
+4
-4
207.5
Saturday
27
Apr
3:30 PM
OKC
NO
-1
+1
209.5
6:00 PM
BOS
MIA
-9
+9
205

2019 Big South Tournament Odds: Radford Favored

David Golokhov

by David Golokhov in College Basketball

Updated Apr 16, 2020 · 10:37 AM PDT

Chris Clemons has been flying high above the competition this season. Photo by @PMOWriter (Twitter)
  • Radford and Campbell tied for the top spot in the Big South conference this season
  • The Radford Highlanders have lost three of their last five games
  • The Campbell Fighting Camels have won eight of 10 heading into the Big South Tournament

The college basketball conference tournaments continue to tip off as the Big South Conference commences on Tuesday night. Radford is the favorite but they might not be the best bet as Campbell, who is led by the country’s leading scorer in Chris Clemons, could be offering better value.

Odds to Win 2019 Big South Conference Tournament

Team Odds to Win 2019 Big South Conference Tournament
Radford +150
Campbell +250
Winthrop +400
Gardner-Webb +900
Charleston Southern +1000
Presbyterian +1600
High Point +1800
Hampton +2000
Longwood +15000
USC Upstate +25000
UNC Asheville +50000

*Odds taken on 03/05/19

What’s Rad About Radford?

Following a 20-10 season overall, Radford is the No. 1 seed in the Big South Tournament. They’ve been playing well dating back to this time last season when Carlik Jones hit that incredible buzzer-beating three to send them to the NCAA Tournament.

This team is very balanced as they have the third-most efficient offense and second-most efficient defense, according to the Big South rankings. My concern is the momentum as this team started conference play 10-1 but dropped three of their final five.

They have some impressive wins, including on the road at No. 17 Texas, but they also have some bad losses, like on the road at Ohio. They also have a challenging bracket in front of them where they might have to face a gritty Winthrop squad and a tricky Presbyterian side. I would pass on them as favorites.

Odds to Win March Madness 2025: NCAA Men’s Tournament Futures Tracker
Read More

Cash in on Campbell

Campbell would be my bet to win the Big South Tournament. To start, they’ve already beat Radford twice this season. Both games were by razor-thin margins (a combined three points) but I like how this team is playing right now.

Campbell enters the Big South Tournament having won four straight and eight of their last 10. The two losses were on the road and they won’t have to be on the road anywhere. More importantly, they have the best player in the conference, which should be the main difference.

One of the reasons Campbell is the No. 1 seed in this tournament is Chris Clemons. He’s been outstanding in his entire career, but particularly this season and is one of the best players in the country nobody talks about.

Clemons has 3,136 points, which is just 14 shy of Doug McDermott for fifth all-time in NCAA History. Nobody in the NCAA scores more points per game than him as he pours in 30.1 per game. One of the schools from a big program will be able to slow him down in the NCAA Tournament but the question is whether or not there’s anyone good enough to stop him in the Big South Tournament.

What About Winthrop?

As you may have noticed, the oddsmakers have put three teams at 4/1 or shorter, but everyone else is at 9/1 or longer. That suggests that this is a three-horse race. We’ve covered Radford and Campbell, so what about Winthrop, the third team in line?

Remember, this team lost Xavier Cooks (graduation) but has thrived with a senior back court of Nych Smith, Adam Pickett, and Bjorn Broman. You wouldn’t be crazy to take a flier on this team at +400 as good backcourts lead the way at this time of year. However, I don’t like the way they finished the season with losses in three of their last four and five of nine.

SBD’s NCAA conference tournament coverage:

Author Image