NCAA MEN

Samford.svg

Samford Bulldogs

Samford Bulldogs Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Samford Bulldogs Men's Basketball team in 2023

UNCG.svg

UNC Greensboro Spartans

UNC Greensboro Spartans Men's Basketball team

Team standings for UNC Greensboro Spartans Men's Basketball team in 2023

Chattanooga.svg

Chattanooga Mocs

Chattanooga Mocs Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Chattanooga Mocs Men's Basketball team in 2023

Western Carolina.svg

Western Carolina Catamounts

Western Carolina Catamounts Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Western Caro. Catamounts Men's Basketball team in 2023

Wofford.svg

Wofford Terriers

Wofford Terriers Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Wofford Terriers Men's Basketball team in 2023

Furman.svg

Furman Paladins

Furman Paladins Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Furman Paladins Men's Basketball team in 2023

ETSU.svg

ETSU Buccaneers

ETSU Buccaneers Men's Basketball team

Team standings for ETSU Buccaneers Men's Basketball team in 2023

Mercer.svg

Mercer Bears

Mercer Bears Men's Basketball team

Team standings for Mercer Bears Men's Basketball team in 2023

The Citadel.svg

The Citadel Bulldogs

The Citadel Bulldogs Men's Basketball team

Team standings for The Citadel Bulldogs Men's Basketball team in 2023

VMI.svg

VMI Keydets

VMI Keydets Men's Basketball team

Team standings for VMI Keydets Men's Basketball team in 2023

UNCG Basketball

👀 just a sneak peak into the weekend celebration of #BROTHERHOOD and #leGacy

🔟 @francisalonso10 
1️⃣ @isaiahmiller_1 
#letsgoG https://t.co/AoeuTSm1Ji

Furman Basketball

Always a great time at the President’s Pool! Thanks to the Davis Family for hosting us! https://t.co/p6xFlmicgU

Anxiously waiting for 2️⃣ jerseys to be hung this weekend 👀 

@francisalonso10 🔟 
@isaiahmiller_1 1️⃣
#letsgoG #leGacy https://t.co/fNMP1PvP0c

VMI Basketball

Welcome to the 5️⃣4️⃣0️⃣

#RahVaMil | #RunAsOne https://t.co/hFPyOKWLTh

ETSU Men's Basketball

𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮!

Blake Sexton has joined the staff as an assistant coach❗️

🔗 https://t.co/zHR44yNrvs

#AllHandsOnDeck | #BeGreat https://t.co/4ItEcOYmKZ

Samford Men's Basketball

Happy Birthday @BrodyBoyer1 !

#BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/HGj0p2aY40

Great day bowling doing some team bonding! #OneCorpsOneVMI https://t.co/a55fGF9L9g

Championships are won in the offseason. 🏆

#BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/mjP9krUZPA

Western Carolina Basketball

tuesday deposits🔒

#WinTheDay https://t.co/oL6FkLR6Es

Happy Birthday to the best AT in the business! @GamesOver23 https://t.co/fOjg3vYdgi

Spartanburg, S.C.&nbsp;– The Southern Conference and Athletic Sun Conference announced a two-year scheduling alliance for men’s basketball on Wednesday. Each SoCon team will play two games against ASUN opponents through this alliance, games will take place in early November and December.This agreement comes in response to the emphasis placed on NET rankings for postseason prospects and an ever-changing landscape in college athletics which, for many, has made it difficult to fill a 30-game schedule with quality opponents.The Southern Conference Commissioner, Michael Cross, said, “We are very excited to partner with the ASUN to form a two-year scheduling alliance.&nbsp; It is apparent to anyone involved in men’s basketball that the current scheduling process is flawed and that getting two teams to agree to play one another is incredibly difficult.&nbsp; As NCAA Tournament access has continued to erode for mid-major programs and conference schedules expand due to conference realignment, identifying meaningful non-conference games against attractive regional opponents has become very important.&nbsp; Leadership from the Directors of Athletics in both conferences and willingness from the coaches to experiment with this concept were the necessary ingredients to establish this alliance.&nbsp; Their willingness to recognize that change is needed in scheduling took vision and compromise.&nbsp; I’m confident this will be a very beneficial partnership for both the SoCon and the ASUN.”The men’s basketball scheduling alliance will feature attractive matchups across both rounds, providing a memorable experience and new level of excitement to the fans of all 22 schools. Two such matchups include ASUN regular season champion Eastern Kentucky versus SoCon tournament runner up ETSU on November 8 in Johnson City, Tennessee, and SoCon tournament champion Samford against ASUN tournament runner up Austin Peay on December 8 in Birmingham, Alabama.ASUN commissioner, Jeff Bacon, said, “This alliance allows both the Atlantic Sun and the SoCon to provide our teams with meaningful games within our footprint and to highlight the outstanding basketball played here in the southeast.&nbsp; Thank you’s are due to so many individuals including our ASUN Athletic Directors and Head Coaches, Commissioner Cross, and Geoff Cabe at the SoCon, and the Athletic Directors and Coaches within the SoCon.&nbsp; A special thanks to our own Joe Kaminski for the work that has gone into putting this exciting event together.”This two-year deal will begin during the 2024-25 season and include the games listed below.Round 1:Nov. 4 - FGCU @ UNCGNov. 8 - Eastern Kentucky @ ETSUNov. 8 - Western Carolina @ QueensNov. 9 - VMI @ BellarmineNov. 9 - Wofford @ LipscombNov. 11 - Stetson @ The CitadelNov. 11 - Jacksonville @ FurmanNov. 11 - Chattanooga @ Austin PeayNov. 15 - Samford @ North AlabamaDec. 4 - West Georgia @ Mercer&nbsp;Round 2:Dec. 1 - North Alabama @ WoffordDec. 3 - Lipscomb @ UTCDec. 4 - Bellarmine @ Western CarolinaDec. 4 - Furman @ FGCUDec. 7 - Queens @ VMIDec. 8 - Austin Peay @ SamfordDec. 8 - Mercer @ StetsonDec. 14 - East Tennessee @ JacksonvilleDec. 14 - UNCG @ North FloridaDec. 16 - The Citadel @ Central Arkansas*game dates may be subject to change

socon vs asun.jpg

The Southern Conference

SoCon announces men’s basketball scheduling alliance with ASUN

Top News

Latest Shorts

Latest Highlights

<article class="article-wrapper sportfile"><div class="article-content"><a href="https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt90a281f2ef4c465c/blt10400069dc1878c4/HCCA_2020_Parking_Map.pdf" target="_blank">PARKING MAP</a> The Ingles SoCon Fan Trolleys Run 120&nbsp;minutes (2 hours) before each game of each day and 60 minutes following conclusion of each game of each day. Thursday through Monday, March 7-11. &nbsp; Ingles SoCon Fan Trolley&nbsp;Stops/Routes &nbsp; Route 1 Trolley Sears Alley/Coxe Avenue Parking Deck @ Corner of Sears Alley and Coxe Ave Wall Street Parking Deck @ Page Avenue and Battery Park Avenue. Page Avenue @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville &nbsp; Route 2 Trolley Renaissance Hotel- Front Entrance College Street Parking Deck (164 College Street) Haywood Street @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville &nbsp; Real-time parking information for Asheville Parking Decks can also be found at <a href="https://cityofasheville.github.io/wheres-parking/">Where's Parking (cityofasheville.github.io)</a></div><div class="noprint" style="margin-top: 10px;"><a>Print</a></div></article>

New Logo (Formal).png

2024 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships parking info

<article class="article-wrapper sportfile"><div class="article-content">Public ticket offerings for the 2024 Ingles SoCon Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships include the following: Courtside Packages (All Sessions - $1,400 or $1,200)&nbsp; Available by contacting Madison Davis at 828-734-2433 or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:madison@ashevillesports.org">madison@ashevillesports.org</a>. These packages include 2 Premium Courtside seats and 2 VIP Hospitality passes. The $1,400 package is a sideline seating package and includes a parking pass for the exhibition level of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville for every session. The $1,200 package is a baseline seating package. There are a&nbsp;limited number of seats available.&nbsp;The VIP Hospitality Room will open one hour prior to each session and will include pre-game meals and complimentary beer and wine.&nbsp; &nbsp; VIP All-Session Package (All Sessions - $380) Available through the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville box office at 828-259-5736 or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kklick@ashevillenc.gov">kklick@ashevillenc.gov</a>.&nbsp;This package includes 1 reserved seat and VIP Hospitality room access. The VIP Hospitality Room will open one hour prior to each session and will include pre-game meals and complimentary beer and wine.&nbsp; &nbsp; Reserved Tournament Book - $250 Available through Ticketmaster phones, online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/southern-conference-tournament-tickets/artist/1379559">TicketMaster.com</a>&nbsp;or the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville Box Office (828-259-5736).&nbsp; &nbsp; General Admission Tournament Book - $150 Available through Ticketmaster phones, online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/southern-conference-tournament-tickets/artist/1379559">TicketMaster.com</a>&nbsp;or the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville Box Office (828-259-5736).&nbsp; &nbsp; Reserved Single Session - $30/$40/$50 Available through Ticketmaster phones, online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/southern-conference-tournament-tickets/artist/1379559">TicketMaster.com</a>&nbsp;or the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville Box Office (828-259-5736). &nbsp; General Admission Single Session - $20/$25/$30 Available through Ticketmaster phones, online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/southern-conference-tournament-tickets/artist/1379559">TicketMaster.com</a>&nbsp;or the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville Box Office (828-259-5736). &nbsp; General Admission Youth (3-12)/SoCon Student Single Session – ½ regular session price. Available at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville box office. SoCon students most have a valid SoCon institutional ID to purchase this ticket. &nbsp; Single Session Group Rate (10 or more tickets to a single session) - $15&nbsp; Available by contacting Madison Davis via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:madison@ashevillesports.org">madison@ashevillesports.org</a>. &nbsp; NOTE:&nbsp;Admission for children 5 and under is free in any general admission session. Everyone over the age of 2 must have a purchased ticket to sit in a reserved seating section. &nbsp;</div><div class="noprint" style="margin-top: 10px;"><a>Print</a></div></article>

2024 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships ticket info

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://nabc.com/nabc_releases/2024/nabc-names-division-i-all-district-teams-coaches-of-the-year/">NABC has released the 2023-24 NABC Division I All-District Teams and District Coaches of the Year</a>, with the District 21 teams comprising 10 Southern Conference student-athletes and Samford's Bucky McMillan named the District 21 Coach of the Year.
 &nbsp;
 The All-District honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division I.
 &nbsp;
 SoCon Player of the Year Vonterius Woolbright of Western Carolina was joined on the all-district first team by Furman's JP Pegues, UNCG duo Mikeal Brown-Jones and Keyshaun Langley and Samford's Achor Achor.
 &nbsp;
 The second team included Mercer's Jalyn McCreary, Samford's Rylan Jones, Chattanooga's Trey Bonham and Honor Huff and Wofford's Corey Tripp.
 &nbsp;
 Langley earned his second straight first-team all-district selection, while Woolbright was a second-team pick last year.
 &nbsp;
 McMillan led Samford to its first outright SoCon regular-season championship this season as well as the Bulldogs' first SoCon tournament title since the program joined the league in 2008.
 &nbsp;
 No. 13 seed Samford, making its first NCAA appearance in 24 years, will take on No. 4 seed Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 9:55 p.m. ET on TBS.
 &nbsp;
 &nbsp;
 District 21
 First Team
 JP Pegues – Furman
 Achor Achor – Samford
 Keyshaun Langley – UNCG
 Mikeal Brown-Jones – UNCG
 Vonterius Woolbright – Western Carolina
 &nbsp;
 Second Team
 Trey Bonham – Chattanooga
 Honor Huff – Chattanooga
 Rylan Jones – Samford
 Jalyn McCreary – Mercer
 Corey Tripp – Wofford
 &nbsp;
 Coach of the Year:&nbsp;Bucky McMillan - Samford

DSC_7929_copy.jpg

UNCG's Mikeal Brown-Jones and Keyshaun Langley

NABC names all-district teams, coaches of the year

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. – The 13th-seeded Samford men's basketball team nearly erased a 22-point second-half deficit before eventually falling to fourth-seeded Kansas, 93-89, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday evening in the Delta Center. 
  
"This was a great game," Samford head coach <dfn><a data-airgap-id="48" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bucky-mcmillan/1639" rel="smarttag" rev="1639">Bucky McMillan</a></dfn> said. "We kind of knew what it would be. They'd be trying to impose their will on the inside, and we'd obviously try to space and play fast and make threes. I had no doubt if we could get it to single digits, in my mind, under the 10-minute mark, I thought we would win. We've kind of been in these spots before where we'd have big come backs and we have the juice at the end of the game, and I thought we had it. A play here, a play there, it could be different." 
  
The NCAA Tournament appearance was just the third in school history and the first since 2000. Samford ended its season with a record of 29-6, setting a school record for most wins in a season. The Bulldogs also won the program's first outright Southern Conference regular season championship and first SoCon Tournament title. Kansas improved to 23-10 with the win, and advanced to take on Gonzaga in Saturday's second round. 
  
Samford was led in the loss by <dfn><a data-airgap-id="49" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/achor-achor/8201" rel="smarttag" rev="8201">Achor Achor</a></dfn> with 23 points and eight rebounds. <dfn><a data-airgap-id="50" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jaden-campbell/8186" rel="smarttag" rev="8186">Jaden Campbell</a></dfn> scored 18 points, while <dfn><a data-airgap-id="51" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/riley-allenspach/8568" rel="smarttag" rev="8568">Riley Allenspach</a></dfn> added 15 points. <dfn><a data-airgap-id="52" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rylan-jones/8565" rel="smarttag" rev="8565">Rylan Jones</a></dfn>, while playing in his hometown, scored nine points and tied a career high with nine assists. 
  
Kansas was led in scoring by K.J. Adams with 20 points. Hunter Dickinson tallied 19 points and 20 rebounds. Nicolas Timberlake had 19 points, Johnny Furphy had 16 points and Dajuan Harris added 13 points for the Jayhwawks. 
  
After trailing by 22 points in the second half, Samford cut the lead to just one point at 79-78 and again at 90-89. Timberlake, however, made two late free throws with 14 seconds left and Furphy made one with one second to go to help Kansas pull put the 93-89 win. 
  
With Kansas leading, 8-7 early, the Jayhawks went on an 8-0 run to push their lead to 16-7 with 15:45 left in the first half following a free throw by Dickinson. Kansas extended its lead to 11 points at 24-13 at the 12:47 mark in the first half after a layup by Dickinson. Samford closed to within seven points at 28-21 with 10:17 to go in the first half after a free throw by <dfn><a data-airgap-id="53" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/josh-holloway/8560" rel="smarttag" rev="8560">Josh Holloway</a></dfn>. 
  
Kansas then went on a 10-1 run to push its lead to 16 points at 38-22 with 7:32 to go in the first half after a pair of free throws by Harris. Samford answered with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 10 points at 38-28 with 4:40 left in the opening half following a dunk by Achor. The Bulldogs closed to within eight points 44-36 with 1:23 to go in the half after a three-pointer by <dfn><a data-airgap-id="54" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/garrett-hicks/8562" rel="smarttag" rev="8562">Garrett Hicks</a></dfn>. Kansas took a 48-38 lead into the locker room at halftime. 
  
Kansas opened the second half with a 15-3 run to push its lead to 22 points at 63-41 with 16:55 to go after a dunk by Adams. Samford fought back to cut the lead to 13 points at 67-54 with 13:25 remaining following a three-pointer by Allenspach. 
  
The Bulldogs closed to within single digits for the first time in the second half at eight points at 75-67 with 9:04 left after a driving layup by <dfn><a data-airgap-id="55" href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/a-j-staton-mccray/8196" rel="smarttag" rev="8196">A.J. Staton-McCray</a></dfn>. Samford cut the lead to one point at 79-78 with 5:14 to go on a layup by Jones. Kansas pushed the lead back out to seven points at 86-79 with 2:52 left. 
  
With Kansas leading, 88-81, Samford went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to one point again at 90-89 with 20 seconds to go on a three-pointer by Campbell. Samford, however, could not convert the rest of the way and the late Kansas free throws allowed the Jayhawks to hold on for the 93-89 win.

Samford's Late Comeback Falls Just Short In NCAA Tournament Loss To Kansas image for article

Samford's Late Comeback Falls Just Short In NCAA Tournament Loss To Kansas(32111)

SideArm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The <a href="https://nabc.com/nabc_releases/2024/nabc-names-division-i-all-district-teams-coaches-of-the-year/">NABC has released the 2023-24 NABC Division I All-District Teams and District Coaches of the Year</a>, with the District 21 teams comprising 10 Southern Conference student-athletes and Samford's Bucky McMillan named the District 21 Coach of the Year. 
  
The All-District honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division I. 
  
SoCon Player of the Year Vonterius Woolbright of Western Carolina was joined on the all-district first team by Furman's JP Pegues, UNCG duo Mikeal Brown-Jones and Keyshaun Langley and Samford's Achor Achor. 
  
The second team included Mercer's Jalyn McCreary, Samford's Rylan Jones, Chattanooga's Trey Bonham and Honor Huff and Wofford's Corey Tripp. 
  
Langley earned his second straight first-team all-district selection, while Woolbright was a second-team pick last year. 
  
McMillan led Samford to its first outright SoCon regular-season championship this season as well as the Bulldogs' first SoCon tournament title since the program joined the league in 2008. 
  
No. 13 seed Samford, making its first NCAA appearance in 24 years, will take on No. 4 seed Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 9:55 p.m. ET on TBS. 
  
  
District 21 
First Team 
JP Pegues – Furman 
Achor Achor – Samford 
Keyshaun Langley – UNCG 
Mikeal Brown-Jones – UNCG 
Vonterius Woolbright – Western Carolina 
  
Second Team 
Trey Bonham – Chattanooga 
Honor Huff – Chattanooga 
Rylan Jones – Samford 
Jalyn McCreary – Mercer 
Corey Tripp – Wofford 
  
Coach of the Year: Bucky McMillan - Samford

16933.jpg

NABC names all-district teams, coaches of the year(32093)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's basketball team will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to take on Kansas on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament, it was announced during the official NCAA Tournament Selection Show Sunday evening on CBS. 
  
"Obviously, I'm very excited for our program to be on the national scene," Samford head coach <a href="https://samfordsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bucky-mcmillan/1639">Bucky McMillan</a> said. "Those that have been following our program know this is a special team. It's a special group of guys, the way they represent our university goes hand in hand with our university, how hard they work, how unselfish they are and the confidence in how they approach their business on a day-to-day basis." 
  
This is Samford's third trip to the NCAA Tournament, having previously gone in 1999 and 2000. This is the first-ever meeting between Samford and Kansas in men's basketball. 
  
Samford has posted the best season in its program history, boasting a record of 29-5 overall and 15-3 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs won the SoCon outright regular-season championship for the first time since joining the league in 2008. Samford punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 76-69 win over ETSU in the championship game of the SoCon Tournament on March 11, in Asheville, N.C. 
  
Samford currently ranks fifth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 86.0 points per game. The Bulldogs also rank in the top 10 in the nation in bench points per game (5th-33.38 pg.), turnovers forced per game (6th-16.62 pg.), effective field goal percentage (6th-57.3%), three-point percentage (7th-39.3%), fast break points per game (7th-15.26 pg.) and winning percentage (8th-85.3%). 
  
For fans who would like to purchase tickets in the Samford section, please contact the Samford Ticket Office at 205-726-2802.

Samford to face Kansas in NCAA first round image for article

Samford to face Kansas in NCAA first round(32079)

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Friday evening that 15-year collegiate coaching veteran Ryan Ridder has been named as the men's basketball program's 30th head coach. 
  
Ridder treks to Middle Georgia after leading UT Martin to 48 victories over the last three seasons, including a 21-11 mark in 2023-24. He has amassed a 191-120 (.614) record in nine seasons as a head coach – a career that includes previous head-coaching stops at both Daytona State and Bethune-Cookman. 
  
"I could not be more excited to welcome Ryan, his wife Jen, and their children to the Mercer family," said Mercer Athletics Director Jim Cole. "Coach Ridder has shown throughout his career that he excels in skill development, which will help bring out the best in our returning student-athletes. I'm also confident that our fans will be energized by the brand of basketball that he will bring to Hawkins Arena as well." 
  
Ridder bridged his first and second seasons in northwest Tennessee by leading the Skyhawks on a 9-1/2 game turnaround as UT Martin posted 19 victories during the 2022-23 campaign, a third-place finish in the final Ohio Valley Conference regular season standings and the program's fifth appearance all-time in the OVC Tournament semifinals. The 19 wins marked the fifth-most victories for the program in its more than three decades on the NCAA Division I level. 
  
UT Martin boasted NCAA Division I's 23rd-ranked scoring offense (81.5 points/game) this past season, while also showcasing one of the nation's top rebounding teams as well. The Skyhawks captured 12 of their final 14 regular season contests to claim a share of the OVC regular season crown and the No. 2 seed in the OVC Tournament. It was just the ninth time in the 73-year history of the program that the Skyhawks had rattled off 20 or more victories, and the first time it had accomplished that feat since the 2016-17 campaign. 
  
"I want to express my gratitude to President Bill Underwood and Director of Athletics Jim Cole for their faith in me to lead the men's basketball program at Mercer University," Ridder said. "My family and I are extremely excited for this opportunity to build new relationships, as well as to build on the tradition of success that this program has already experienced. There is an immense amount of support and pride in the Mercer family, and I can't wait to meet our phenomenal young men and get to work. Go Bears!" 
  
Prior to taking the reins at UT Martin, Ridder compiled 48 wins across three seasons as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman, including a pair of winning campaigns as the skipper of the Wildcats. In just his first season as an NCAA Division I head coach, Ridder steered the Wildcats to 18 wins and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference crown. Following that magical season, he was selected as the recipient of the Joe B. Hall Award which is presented annually to the top first-year head coach in the NCAA Division I ranks. He was also named to ESPN's "40 Under 40" list of the nation's top assistant and head coaches in May 2020.  
  
Ridder jump-started his head coaching career at Daytona State (Fla.) College where he amassed a 95-28 (.772) record and four conference championships from 2013-17, including back-to-back 25-win seasons in his final two years at the junior college powerhouse. The Falcons were consistently ranked on both the regional and national levels under Ridder who claimed four consecutive conference coach of the year laurels as well. 
  
Ridder made the leap into the coaching world as a volunteer assistant coach for his father, Steve Ridder, at Embry-Riddle (Fla.) in 2009-10. He also served as an assistant coach at Campbell for three seasons (2010-13). 
  
A native of Lexington, Ky., Ridder starred as a player at the College of Wooster from 2003-05 before closing out his collegiate playing career for his father at Embry-Riddle in 2005-06. He earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace studies from ERAU in 2008, and accepted a role as an assistant at North Raleigh Christian High School in North Carolina for the 2008-09 campaign. He earned his master's degree in sport management with a concentration in intercollegiate athletic administration from California (Pa.) in 2009. 
  
Ridder and his wife, the former Jen Calnan of Daytona Beach, Fla., have three daughters - Brixton, Remi and Marlee.

Mercer Announces Ryan Ridder As Men’s Basketball Head Coach image for article

Mercer Announces Ryan Ridder As Men’s Basketball Head Coach(32071)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced its February athletes of the month Friday, highlighting the athletic excellence of 15 student-athletes across 11 sports during the month. 
  
BASEBALL 
PLAYER 
Marshall Toole, Wofford, Jr., Decatur, Ga. 
 
<ul>
	<li>Posted a .469 batting average (15-for-32), .564 on-base percentage and a .656 slugging percentage, recording four extra-base hits with a pair of doubles and two triples and seven walks</li>
	<li>Scored 14 runs and recorded eight RBIs</li>
	<li>Tied for tops in the nation by going a perfect 11-of-11 in stolen bases.</li>
	<li>Recorded at least one hit in all eight games with multiple hits in five, including a three-hit, four RBI-day against Fairleigh Dickinson</li>
	<li>Tied career-high with four stolen bases against FDU and equaling second place in Wofford's single-game record book.</li>
	<li>Scored at least one run in every game and stolen a base in six of the eight contests.</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Javier Crespo (The Citadel), Cameron Sisneros (ETSU, Parker Lester (Mercer), Caleb Cozart (UNCG), John Anderson (Samford), Cole Jenkins (VMI), Trent Turner (Western Carolina) 
  
PITCHER 
Carter Fink, ETSU, Jr., RHP, Macon, Ga. 
 
<ul>
	<li>Tossed 8.1 scoreless innings</li>
	<li>Owns a 2-0 record, with wins over Lafayette and Rider</li>
	<li>Held opposing hitters to a .138 batting average</li>
	<li>Allowed just four hits – none for extra bases</li>
	<li>Struck out nine batters, while walking just one</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Thomas Rollauer (The Citadel), Jess Ackerman (Mercer), Sammy Tortorella (UNCG), Jonathan Todd (Western Carolina) Camden Wicker (Wofford) 
 
  
MEN’S BASKETBALL 
Vonterius Woolbright, Western Carolina, Sr., G, Albany, Ga.

<ul>
	<li>Averaged 20.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in February, posting five double-doubles and two triple-doubles</li>
	<li>Eclipsed the 20-point mark five times, with a string of three straight 20-plus point games at Samford (Feb. 14), versus ETSU (Feb. 17), and at UNCG (Feb. 21)</li>
	<li>Had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and a steal against Mercer on Feb. 10 and recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists versus Furman on Feb. 28</li>
	<li>Swept the monthly awards this season</li>
	<li>Named SoCon Player of the Week on Feb. 12, tying SoCon Hall of Famer Steph Curry for the most weekly awards in conference history with eight.</li>
</ul>
Others nominated: Quentin Millora-Brown (The Citadel), Ebby Asamoah (ETSU), JP Pegues (Furman), Jalyn McCreary (Mercer), Keyshaun Langley (UNCG), Jaden Campbell (Samford) and Honor Huff (Chattanooga) 
  
 
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 
Jada Guinn, Chattanooga, Gr., G, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

<ul>
	<li>Helped lead Chattanooga to a 7-1 record this month by averaging 18.13 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game</li>
	<li>Shot 51 percent from the field, 82 percent from the free throw line and went two-for-two from behind the arc</li>
	<li>Accumulated three double-doubles and three 20+ point games including 29 points in a victory against Western Carolina on Feb. 22</li>
	<li>Set a career high in rebounding this month, securing 16 rebounds twice, the first on Feb. 1 against Wofford and the second on Feb. 17 against ETSU</li>
	<li>Mocs clinched the regular season title for the second consecutive season.</li>
	<li>Named SoCon Player of the Week on Feb. 13</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Nevaeh Brown (ETSU), Summah Evans (Mercer), Emily Bowman (Samford), Ayanna Khalfani (UNCG), Lonasia Brewer (Western Carolina), and Rachael Rose (Wofford) 
 
  
MEN’S GOLF 
Matthew Larkin, Wofford, 5th, Atlanta, Ga.

<ul>
	<li>Tallied a 9-under 207 to place in a tie for fifth at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate</li>
	<li>9-under is tied for the eighth-best tournament score in relation to par in program history</li>
	<li>Claimed his fourth-career top-five finish at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate</li>
	<li>Had 13 birdies in the event and recorded a pair of eagles, one of only 10 players with multiple</li>
	<li>The Terriers tied for sixth in the event with an 8-under 856 score</li>
</ul>
Others nominated: Will Morlan (Furman), Randall Hudson (UNCG), Braedon Wear (Chattanooga) and Taylor Kuehn (Samford) 
  
  
WOMEN’S GOLF 
Anna Morgan, Furman, Sr., Spartanburg, S.C. 
 
<ul>
	<li>Two-time SoCon Golfer of the Week in February</li>
	<li>Won the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico behind rounds of 68-71-67 for a tournament score of 206 (-10) and led the field in birdies (13) and par-3 scoring (2.67)</li>
	<li>The victory marked the seventh of her career, extending her program record for individual career wins</li>
	<li>Finished third at the 2024 Chevron Classic with an 11-under par 205, just one shot behind co-champions Isabel Sy (-12) of Illinois and Nicha Kanpai (-12) of Maryland</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Violeta Fernandez-Tagle (Chattanooga) and Gabi Nicastro (Samford) 
  
  
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD 
Track 
Carson Williams, Furman, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.

<ul>
	<li>Repeats as SoCon Indoor Track Athlete of the Month</li>
	<li>Started the month with an 8:02 3,000m time at the Boston Valentine Invitational of Feb. 10</li>
	<li>Turned in a third place performance in the 800m at the USC Indoor Open with a time of 1:57.56</li>
	<li>At the SoCon Indoor Championship, he won the 3,000m with a time of 8:12 , and second in the 800m with a time of 1:51.55</li>
	<li>Qualified for the NCAA Tournament in the mile and finished as a second-team All-American.</li>
</ul>
  
Field 
No Nominees 
  
  
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD 
Track 
Megan Marvin, Furman, Jr., Chapel Hill, N.C.

<ul>
	<li>Repeats as SoCon Indoor Track Athlete of the Month</li>
	<li>Won two titles at the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 26-27, successfully defending her 2023 crown in the 800-meter run in 2:08.85 and running the third leg on the winning distance medley relay team, which turned in a time of 11:31.07.</li>
	<li>The next day she defended her 800m title, turning in a time of 2:08.85</li>
	<li>Marvin is the leagues first four-time winner in the 800m</li>
	<li>With teammates Camryn Wennersten, Callie Harper, and Sierra Bower, Marvin won the distance medley relay for the fourth consecutive year. This is the eight straight year the Paladins have taken gold in the event.</li>
</ul>
Field 
Diana Romero-Barba, ETSU, Jr., Tepatitlan de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico

<ul>
	<li>Placed in the top two in all three meets competed in for the month of February</li>
	<li>Took second at the Southern Conference championship after clearing 3.67 meters.</li>
	<li>Set a personal record and tied the school record at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational on Feb. 9</li>
	<li>Placed second at the VMI Winter Relays on Feb. 2  after a vault of 3.67 meters.</li>
</ul>
  
  
RIFLE 
SMALLBORE 
Emma Pohlmann, Ga. Southern, So., Nentershausen, Germany

<ul>
	<li>Helped lead the sixth-ranked Eagles to wins over No. 7 Ole Miss, No. 17 North Georgia and 20th-ranked UAB.</li>
	<li>Averaged a SoCon-best 587.000 in the month of February.</li>
	<li>Recorded the third-highest score of the season (590) in wins over UAB and Ole Miss on Feb. 3</li>
	<li>Finished second among 19 competitors with a 590 in smallbore in the win over Ole Miss</li>
	<li>Finished second among 14 competitors with a 584 in smallbore in the win over North Georgia</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Christopher Comstock (UAB) 
  
AIR RIFLE 
Emma Pohlmann, Ga. Southern, So., Nentershausen, Germany 
 
<ul>
	<li>Helped lead the sixth-ranked Eagles to wins over No. 7 Ole Miss, No. 17 North Georgia and 20th-ranked UAB</li>
	<li>Averaged a team-best 594.667 average in the month of February. Enters the SoCon Championships with a conference-leading 595.154 average.</li>
	<li>Led all competitors with a 597 against Navy and The Citadel</li>
	<li>Led all competitors with a 595 in the air rifle in the win over North Georgia</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Emily Buck (UAB) 
 
  
  
SOFTBALL 
PLAYER 
Brooklynn Maxwell, UNCG, Sr., 3B, Virginia Beach, Va.

<ul>
	<li>Batted .433 (26-for-60) with six home runs, five doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs and 20 runs scored during February</li>
	<li>Had a .941 fielding percentage in the month</li>
	<li>Recorded 2 or more hits in nine games, including three games with three hits</li>
	<li>Currently leads the conference in six offensive categories and ranks in the top five in the nation in hits and home runs</li>
	<li>Was 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored in a win against Drexel on Feb. 16</li>
</ul>
Others nominated: Cameron Young (ETSU), Kiley Perry (Furman), Tori Hedgecock (Mercer), Logan Champion (Samford), Olivia Lipari (Chattanooga) and Tessa Juett (Western Carolina) 
 
PITCHER 
Margaret Axelson, Wofford, So., Chamblee, Ga.

<ul>
	<li>Had a 0.00 ERA with eight strikeouts in 15 innings of work</li>
	<li>Pitched a complete game with four strikeouts in a 3-0 win against Robert Morris on Feb. 9, giving Wofford its first win in program history</li>
	<li>Started and pitched three innings, allowing zero earned runs and striking out one batter against Northern Kentucky on Feb. 16</li>
	<li>Named SoCon Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 12, becoming the first Terrier to win the award</li>
</ul>
Others nominated: Sierra Tufts (Furman), Grace Taylor (Mercer), Maddie Spell (UNCG), Jordyn Partain (Samford), Taylor Long (Chattanooga) and Tessa Juett (Western Carolina) 
  
  
MEN’S TENNIS 
Jakub Jupa, Chattanooga, Fr., Mostkovice, Czech Republic 
 
<ul>
	<li>Posted a combined 8-4 record between singles and doubles play.</li>
	<li>Went 4-1 in singles, including a 3-1 tally at No. 2 and 1-0 at No. 1 in February.</li>
	<li>Helped lead Chattanooga to a 5-4 record during the month.</li>
	<li>For the season, Jupa owns 10 victories in dual action between the two sets of formats.</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Francisco Lamas (ETSU), Elijah Poritzky (Furman), Nemanja Stefanovic (Mercer), Darcy Nicholls (Samford), Max Graham (Wofford) 
  
  
WOMEN’S TENNIS 
Daniela Rivera, ETSU, Jr., Maturin, Venezuela 
 
<ul>
	<li>Helped ETSU to a 5-1 overall record and a 2-0 SoCon mark in the month</li>
	<li>Went 5-1 at No. 3 singles in February, with four of the five wins coming in straight sets</li>
	<li>Went 5-0 at No. 1 doubles partnering with Fernanda Carvajal</li>
	<li>Opened SoCon play with a 6-1, 6-0 singles win over Western Carolina, and a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Wofford.</li>
	<li>Won Player of the week on Feb. 20</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Teodora Ristic, (Mercer), Darcy Nicholls (Samford), Rozalie Dohnalova (Chattanooga), Isabella Sambola (Western Carolina), Breda Brennan (Wofford) 
 
  
  
WRESTLING 
Taye Ghadiali, Campbell, R-Sr., HWT, Warren, Mich. 
 
<ul>
	<li>Perfect in the month of February, going 7-0 with all seven being bonus-point victories</li>
	<li>Finished the season 8-0 in SoCon matches</li>
	<li>Ranked No. 9 in the coaches rankings and 15th in RPI</li>
	<li>The only Division I wrestler to be in the top-10 in falls (5th), tech falls (5th), and most dominant wrestler (10th).</li>
</ul>
  
Others nominated: Will Miller (Appalachian State), Isaiah Powe (Chattanooga), Jeff Boyd (The Citadel), Tanner Peake (Davidson)  
 
 
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:500px;" width="500">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">Southern Conference February Athletes of the Month</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Baseball – player </td>
			<td>Marshall Toole, Wofford</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Baseball – pitcher </td>
			<td>Carter Fink, ETSU</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Men’s basketball</td>
			<td>Vonterius Woolbright, Western Carolina</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Women’s basketball</td>
			<td>Jada Guinn, Chattanooga</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Men’s golf</td>
			<td>Matthew Larkin, Wofford</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Women’s golf</td>
			<td>Anna Morgan, Furman</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Men’s indoor track and field – track</td>
			<td>Carson Williams, Furman</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Women’s indoor track and field – track</td>
			<td>Megan Marvin, Furman</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Women’s indoor track and field – field</td>
			<td>Diana Romero-Barba, ETSU</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rifle – smallbore</td>
			<td>Emma Pohlmann, Georgia Southern</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rifle – air rifle</td>
			<td>Emma Pohlmann, Georgia Southern</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Softball – player</td>
			<td>Brooklynn Maxwell, UNCG</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Softball – pitcher</td>
			<td>Margaret Axelson, Wofford</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Men’s tennis</td>
			<td>Jakub Jupa, Chattanooga</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Women’s tennis</td>
			<td>Daniela Rivera, ETSU</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wrestling</td>
			<td>Taye Ghadiali, Campbell</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Southern Conference names February athletes of the month image for article

Southern Conference names February athletes of the month(32063)

<aside aria-label="Story Links">
<h3>Links</h3>
</aside>
Cullowhee, N.C. –  An experienced head coach with regional ties, Tim Craft was named head men's basketball coach at Western Carolina University, announced on Wednesday by Director of Athletics Alex Gary. Craft spent the past 11 years as the head coach at Gardner-Webb where he averaged over 17 wins per season. 
  
Craft, whose contract was approved by the WCU Board of Trustees on Wednesday evening, becomes the 20th men's basketball head coach in Western Carolina history. 
  
Craft will be formally introduced to the Catamount Nation at a special on-campus introductory press conference on Tuesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. in the Ramsey Center Hospitality Room. A live stream of the event will be provided through the Catamount Athletics Facebook page (<a href="http://www.fb.com/catamountsports">www.FB.com/catamountsports</a>) and YouTube channel (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/catamountsports">www.youtube.com/catamountsports</a>) with a link also available online at CatamountSports.com. 
  
"We are excited to welcome Tim and Jessica Craft, and their children Lola, Macy, Bennett, and Christian, to Western Carolina University," said Director of Athletics Alex Gary. "Not only has Tim proven to be a great basketball coach with the 'X's and O's,' he is someone who cares deeply about his players and gets the most out of them. He is ready to get to work and we look forward to him leading the Western Carolina basketball program for years to come. We are grateful to our leadership in Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and the WCU Board of Trustees for their support during this process." 
  
Including a pair of 20-win seasons, Craft led the Runnin' Bulldogs to eight.500-or-better overall finishes during his tenure. His 2018-19 Big South tournament championship squad won 23 games including two over ACC-foes Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, finishing the season ranked No. 25 in the Mid-Major Top 25 poll. In 2014-15, GWU finished with 20 wins with a pair of Power Five conference wins at Clemson and Purdue. 
  
All told, Craft's teams won six games against Power Five conference opponents. He also secured wins over his new team, Western Carolina, in each of the past three seasons dating back to 2021. 
  
Just the fourth Big South head coach to win at least 15 games in each of his first four seasons – and the 10th coach to reach 50 overall wins through his third year – Craft won 188 games during his tenure at Gardner-Webb including 102 in league play to rank fourth all-time among the all-time winningest coaches in conference history. He guided the Runnin' Bulldogs to a pair of postseason appearances including the College Basketball Insider (CBI) tournament in 2015 and the school's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2018-19. 
  
The only Big South head coach to post 10 seasons of 10 or more league wins in conference history, Craft's squads did not finish below sixth in the Big South Conference standings during his tenure. 
  
Runnin' Bulldog men's basketball student-athletes earned a combined 26 All-Big South Conference postseason honors between the first and second teams, honorable mentions, and all-freshman plaudits over his 11 seasons leading the GWU program. Six of his players collected multiple seasonal awards from the league's head coaches including three-time All-Big South honorees Tyrell Nelson (All-Freshman, 2013-14; 2nd team 2015-16, '16-17) and David Efianayi (HM, 2016-17; 2nd team 2017-18, '18-19). Also this past season, Lucas Streiber became just the third Gardner-Webb player to collect the Big South's Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor – and the second under Craft as Will Byron earned the distinction back in 2013-14. 
  
"We are thrilled to be joining the Catamount Family and the Cullowhee community. We can't wait to hit the ground running to continue the recent success and rise of this program," said Craft. "Western Carolina basketball will be a source of pride and excitement for the athletics department, the campus, the community, and everyone that loves the Catamounts!" 
  
Craft added, "I am very thankful for the belief that Chancellor Brown and Director of Athletics, Alex Gary have in me to lead this program, and it will be an honor to represent this great institution." 
  
Most recently coming as the head coach, Craft had a pair of stints at Gardner-Webb, first as an assistant coach from 2004-07 before joining Jeff Lebo's staff at Auburn as the director of basketball operations in 2007-08. He was promoted by Lebo to an assistant coaching role the following season where he spent two years on the Plains until making the move to ECU with his head coach. 
  
Auburn averaged 18 wins per season with Craft on staff over three years. The 2008-09 Tigers finished with the second-most wins in program history by going 24-12 and placed second in the Southeastern Conference with a 10-6 record. That squad reached the quarterfinals of the NIT in postseason play. 
  
While at ECU, Craft helped the Pirates to its best season in school history in 2012-13, as the Pirates won a school-record 23 games and capped the run with the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) championship. 
  
During his three-year stint as an assistant at Gardner-Webb, Craft mentored four all-conference performers for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the ASUN Conference. He recruited and coached Tim Jennings, the program's first two-time ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, as a part of assembling a Top 50 national recruiting class at GWU in 2006. He was part of Gardner-Webb's first team title as an NCAA Division I program, winning the ASUN regular-season title in 2004-05, advancing to the conference title game. The regular-season crown represented the first ASUN title for GWU in any sport. 
  
Craft began his coaching career as the assistant varsity coach and the head junior varsity coach at Robert F. Munroe School in Quincy, Fla., in 2000-01, and was later promoted to head varsity coach at Munroe in 2001-02. He made the move into the collegiate ranks in 2002-03 as an assistant at Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College (PJC) under head coach Paul Swanson. While at PJC, the Pirates posted a 20-win season and were ranked as high as No. 13 nationally during the 2003-04 season. 
  
Originally from Tallahassee, Fla., Craft earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in secondary education from the University of Florida in 2000. He is married to the former Jessica Arenas of Tallahassee, Fla. The couple has four children – Lola, Macy, Bennett, and Christian. 
  
COACHING CAREER:

<ul>
	<li>Western Carolina, Head Coach - (2024- )</li>
	<li>Gardner-Webb, Head Coach - (2013-24)</li>
	<li>East Carolina, Assistant Coach - (2010-13)</li>
	<li>Auburn, Assistant Coach - (2008-10)</li>
	<li>Auburn, Director of Basketball Operations - (2007-08)</li>
	<li>Gardner-Webb, Assistant Coach - (2004-07)</li>
	<li>Pensacola Junior College, Assistant Coach - (2002-04)</li>
	<li>Robert F. Munroe School, Varsity Boys Head Coach - (2001-02)</li>
	<li>Robert F. Munroe School, Asst. Varsity / Head JV Coach - (2000-01)</li>
</ul>
  
Coaching Career Highlights:

<ul>
	<li>Secured 188 career head coaching wins at Gardner-Webb – fourth all-time among head coaches within the Big South Conference, by-passing former Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey this season and sitting three wins ahead of Barclay Radebaugh, the active head coach at Charleston Southern;</li>
	<li>Became the fourth coach in Big South history to win at least 15 games in his first four seasons … 10th coach in league history to reach 50 overall victories in his third season in the conference … and the only coach in Big South Conference history to have 10 seasons of 10 or more victories in league play;</li>
	<li>His Gardner-Webb teams scored SIX Power Five victories over Clemson (ACC), Georgia (SEC), Georgia Tech (ACC), Nebraska (Big Ten), Purdue (Big Ten), and Wake Forest (ACC);</li>
	<li>Led Gardner-Webb to a pair of postseason appearances during his tenure: guided the Runnin' Bulldogs to the CBI in 2014-15 – just the school's second postseason bid in its NCAA Division I history … Led Gardner-Webb to the program's first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 2019 … In that first-round game, built the largest lead of the tournament over eventual national champion Virginia as the Runnin' Bulldogs led the Cavaliers by 14 points;</li>
	<li>Finalist for the 2020 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which is presented annually to recognize those who not only achieve success on the court but also display moral integrity off it as well;</li>
	<li>Was a finalist for the 2014 Joe B. Hall Award, which is presented annually to the top first-year head coach in college basketball by CollegeInsider.com;</li>
	<li>Was part of an East Carolina men's basketball staff that won 23 games in 2012-13 including winning the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) championship</li>
</ul>
 

<hr /> 
What They Are Saying About Tim Craft: 
  
"Tim and his family are a perfect fit for Western Carolina. He is a proven winner who will bring dedication, hard work, and a competitive spirit to Catamount basketball. Western Carolina hit a home run in Tim Craft." 
– Jeff Lebo, Assistant Coach at North Carolina – former head coach at East Carolina & Auburn 
  
"Tim Craft is an outstanding basketball coach and leader, but he is much more than that.  Tim Craft is a valuable member and leader of his community, especially his university community. Tim is very gifted as a teacher of the game and a very tough competitor, yet he leads and competes with humility, integrity, and character.  He demands high standards of his players on and off the floor but does so through modeling those standards in every facet of his life. There is nothing Tim demands of his players that he doesn't clearly demonstrate to them daily.  Western Carolina has an outstanding coach in Tim Craft."   
- Jay Bilas, ESPN basketball analyst 
  
"Western Carolina made a tremendous decision by hiring Tim Craft. Tim has proven himself to be a program builder, consistently leading his teams to success. Not only is he a winner, but he also possesses a deep understanding of the game, making him an exceptional teacher in practice – where games are won! Tim's ability to connect with his players is evident in his relatability, and his firm and honest approach earns him the respect of his team. Furthermore, his keen awareness of his team's strengths and weaknesses allows him to develop winning game plans and strategies. Overall, Western Carolina made a wise choice in selection Tim Craft, as his impressive qualities as a person and head coach make him an indispensable hire for the program." 
- Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Recruiting Director 
  
"I am confident that the Western Carolina men's basketball program is in very good hands with the announcement of Tim Craft as their next basketball coach. Tim is an outstanding coach who has tireless energy and will be fully committed to the program. More importantly, Tim understands the importance of developing lasting relationships with the student-athletes in his program. His faith and family are very important to him, and both will be evident in his program." 
- Chuck Burch, former Athletics Director at Gardner-Webb

SoCon Men’s Basketball News

Headlines

SoCon announces men’s basketball scheduling alliance with ASUN

Must See Moments

2024 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships Parking Info

2024 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships Ticket Info

NABC names all-district teams, coaches of the year

Samford's Late Comeback Falls Just Short In NCAA Tournament Loss To Kansas

NABC names all-district teams, coaches of the year

Samford to face Kansas in NCAA first round

Mercer Announces Ryan Ridder As Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Southern Conference names February athletes of the month

Western Carolina Tabs Tim Craft as Head Men’s Basketball Coach