Big South Non-Con Worst Losses 2025
- HighPointHoops
- Dec 30, 2025
- 3 min read
The non-conference schedule is over as the Big South is days away from their first conference match-ups on Wednesday, 31 December. Looking back at the non-conference schedule, let’s rank Big South teams by their worst loss.
Opponent ranks were based on Bart Torvik metrics.
#9 Gardner-Webb
Worst Loss: North Greenville NCAA Division II (home) 81-92
The epitome of brutality! Gardner-Webb earns the worst loss in the Big South non-conference schedule against NCAA Division II foe, North Greenville. Adding insult to injury, the loss was by double digits in front of their home fans. Ouch.
#8 Longwood
Worst Loss: #355 Delaware State (home) 76-81
Longwood fans probably thought they had reached the low point of the season after an embarrassing 83-82 loss in overtime at home against #345 Maryland Eastern Shore. But it was a hold-my-beer moment as they ended up with another devastating loss on their home court against #355 Delaware State. At least they aren’t Gardner-Webb!
#7 Radford
Worst Loss: #327 Cleveland State (neutral) 82-87
It’s already been a long season for Radford fans as the team is wildly underperforming in their non-conference schedule despite the highest NIL funding in the Big South. So far, their worst loss was against a lowly #327 Cleveland State at a neutral site during the Greenbrier Tip-Off.
#6 Winthrop
Worst Loss: #324 North Dakota (away) 88-90
Despite one of the highest Torvik rankings in the Big South, Winthrop still experienced a difficult loss against #324 North Dakota. To their credit, it was an away game and was part of an absolutely brutal non-conference schedule for Winthrop.
#5 USC Upstate
Worst Loss: #311 West Georgia (away) 64-72
Purely by numbers, their loss at #311 West Georgia ranks USC Upstate at #5 on this list. But it is a bit more of a disappointing loss when you consider that West Georgia is in their second year of a transition to NCAA Division I. At the earliest, West Georgia won’t be a full-fledged NCAA Division I member until 2027.
#4 Presbyterian
Worst Loss: #300 Manhattan (away) 81-87
Presbyterian is ending their non-conference schedule just shy of .500 with a 7-8 record. Their worst loss of the season was at #300 Manhattan. This isn’t too bad considering Presbyterian is only ranked 10 spots higher in Torvik.
#3 UNC Asheville
Worst Loss: #298 Western Carolina (away) 73-80
The consensus preseason #2 team in the Big South suffered their worst loss at #298 Western Carolina. But this regional grudge-match was much closer than the final score would indicate.
#2 Charleston Southern
Worst Loss: #294 Alabama A&M (away) 64-68
Charleston Southern might be the biggest surprise of the non-conference season! Their worst loss came at Alabama A&M. While they were the away team, they were the favorite to win and led for most of the final 10 minutes of the second half before crumbling in the final 2 minutes.
#1 High Point
Worst Loss: #235 App State (neutral) 78-86 (OT)
A devastating loss for High Point fans, their team fell in overtime to App State at a neutral site. This loss was especially brutal as High Point was leading by 8 points with just over 2 minutes left in regulation. Taking a step back, this loss no longer looks so bad with #235 App State being nearly 60 spots ahead of the next (best) worst loss Charleston Southern vs. #294 Alabama A&M. High Point boasts the highest floor in the Big South.
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