SoCon Fast Break

Latest Episodes:

SoCon Edition: ETSU Clinches The #1 Seed + Standings Chaos Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

The #1 seed is officially set, but the pathway to Asheville remains a total mystery. We look at ETSU's dominant run to the top of the Southern Conference and discuss whether anyone can catch them in the tournament.

In this episode:

The Clinch: How ETSU secured the top seed with a massive road win and some help from Furman.
The "Gold Standard": Why health and consistency made the Bucs the best team in the league this year.
Offense vs. Defense: We debate if "great offense trumps great defense" in today’s SoCon.
Awards: We name our Team of the Week and explain why Brian Taylor II is the ultimate "closer".
Power Rankings: A fresh look at the top 10, including UNCG’s recent slide and Chattanooga’s offensive explosion.
Final Week Preview: Looking at high-stakes matchups like Furman at Western Carolina and UNCG at Samford.

Can anyone stop the Bucs?

Presented by Ingles Markets

Player Edition: Jadin Booth's Journey of the Nation’s #1 Three-Point Shooter Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

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:

The Sniper’s Mentality: Why Jadin’s "keep it simple" approach is the secret to leading the nation in three-pointers made per game.
Life Under Lennie Acuff: Insights into the Princeton-style offense and the "life quotes" that guide the team daily.
Beyond the Court: The heart behind the Jadin Booth Elite Camp in Omaha and his dedication to giving back to "Ashton’s Army".
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.
The Inspiration Award: What it meant to receive the Ryan Turell Inspiration Award in Kansas City.
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?

ETSU Clinches #1? + Samford’s Streak & Separation Saturday Preview Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

It is Separation Saturday in the Southern Conference, and the stakes couldn't be higher as we head into the final stretch before Asheville!

ETSU is on the verge of clinching the regular-season title and the #1 seed—we walk through their path to the top. Plus, the Samford Bulldogs are the hottest team in the league, looking for their 7th straight win as they visit Mercer.

In this episode:

ETSU at UNCG: Can the Spartans play spoiler against the league leaders?
The Clinch Scenario: How the Bucs can wrap up the #1 seed this weekend.
Samford at Mercer: Analyzing the Bulldogs' win streak and why Brady Shoulders is the X-factor for the Bears.
Game Predictions: Who stays hot and who stumbles on the road?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Join us LIVE for a special SoCon Fast Break Gameday pregame show this Saturday at 5:30 PM ET! We’ll be broadcasting from Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium ahead of the Furman–Wofford rivalry game.

Presented by Ingles Markets

ETSU vs Furman: The OT Rematch + UNCG at WCU Previews Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Will Furman avenge their 15-point collapse, or can ETSU bounce back in this OT thriller rematch? We’re breaking down the keys to the game, the impact of Asa Thomas and Charles Johnston, and our official prediction. Plus, a massive road test for UNCG at Western Carolina.

Highlights:

The Rematch: Can Furman finish the job this time against the Bucs?
The X-Factors: Why Asa Thomas and Charles Johnston are the names to watch.

In This Episode:

0:43 – ETSU vs. Furman: Breaking down the rematch
3:27 – 4 Keys for an ETSU victory
6:56 – Player Impact: Thomas & Johnston
8:31 – Official ETSU vs. Furman Prediction
11:19 – UNCG vs. WCU: Matchup and Picks

Can Furman hold onto a lead this time?

Presented by Ingles Markets

SoCon Edition: STREAKS Continue—Who Can Stop Samford or UNCG? Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

With only two weeks until the Southern Conference Tournament descends on Asheville, the race for the top seed is reaching a fever pitch. Samford and UNCG have officially shown they're the hottest teams right now, but can they keep it up before the bracket is set?

In This Episode:

The Big Two: Analyzing Samford’s 5-game tear and UNCG’s relentless 4-game win streak.
Player Spotlights: How Jadin Booth’s offensive explosion and Justin Neely’s dominance on the glass are changing the scouting reports.
Trouble in Johnson City? We discuss if current #1 seed ETSU is starting to slide at the worst possible moment.
The Power Rankings: Our weekly look at who’s actually the best in the league right now.
Breaking News: Everything you need to know about the new Big South-SoCon Scheduling Alliance and what it means for the league’s future.

If you love SoCon hoops, make sure to rate and review the show!

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@soconfastbreak

Presented by Ingles Markets

Who Stays Hot? | Samford-ETSU & UNCG-Wofford Previews Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

Three of the hottest teams in the Southern Conference are on a collision course this Saturday, and something has to give. With Samford and ETSU both riding four-game winning streaks into their showdown, and UNCG looking to extend its own streak against second-place Wofford.

In This Episode:

[00:44] Wofford vs. UNCG: Can the Spartans make it four in a row, or will the Terriers play spoiler?
[09:18] Samford vs. ETSU: The Battle of the Four-Game Win Streaks. Who blinks first?
[19:26] Rapid Fire: Quick hits on Furman/VMI, The Citadel/Mercer, and a massive clash between WCU and Chattanooga.

Which streak ends on Saturday?

Check out our video deep dives on YouTube: youtube.com/@soconfastbreak

Presented by Ingles Markets

SoCon Edition: FEB-FRENZY in the SoCon! Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Football is officially in the books, which means the road to Asheville is heating up! In this episode of SoCon Fast Break, we dive into the mid-February madness where the "baked-in" identities of teams are being tested by injuries, upsets, and some seriously head-scratching performances.

In this episode:

The Power Shift: Are ETSU and Wofford turning this into a two-horse race? We discuss their consistency and how they've managed to avoid the "roller coaster" rides affecting the rest of the league.
The "Hiccup" Week: Mercer and Furman both had weeks they’d rather forget. We debate whether Mercer’s 49-point outing against Samford was a fluke or a sign of fatigue.
Samford is Surging: The Bulldogs have found their defensive teeth, holding Mercer to 27% from the field and moving within striking distance of the top three.
Justin Neely’s Masterclass: From record-tying free throw attempts to game-winning "ice in his veins" moments, we break down why the UNCG star is the clear Player of the Week.
Road Warriors: We celebrate The Citadel’s recent success on the road and wonder if Western Carolina can fix their travel woes before it’s too late.
Team of the Week: We’re split between the UNCG Spartans and the ETSU Buccaneers.
Player of the Week: A unanimous nod to Justin Neely for his dominant double-doubles.
Power Rankings: We shuffle the deck as teams 4 through 7 are now separated by only a single game.

Is anyone safe from chaos in the SoCon?

SoCon Edition: Second-Half SURGE Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

We have officially crossed the ten-game mark of the Southern Conference slate! With the 18-game journey to Asheville more than halfway complete, the standings are beginning to harden. This week, we analyze the "Second-Half Surge" and whether anyone can crack ETSU's defensive shell as the hunt for the top seed intensifies.

In this Episode:

Contenders Separate: We're starting to see clear separation of the top four teams, and why the middle of the pack remains dangerous but inconsistent.
Giant Killers: Western Carolina’s 90-88 thriller over ETSU. The Catamounts have officially swept the season series against the first-place Bucs.
The Citadel’s Climb: After not winning a conference game last year, Ed Conroy has the Bulldogs sitting at 5-5 and playing "infinite growth" basketball.
Injury Impact: How teams like Furman are weathering the storm with a "next man up" culture while others struggle to find depth.
Stat of the Week: We’re going back to Charleston! The Citadel leads the nation in overtime wins this season with three, and they’ve secured back-to-back conference wins for the first time since 2023.
Player Spotlight: We debate the Player of the Week candidates, including a 33-point career high from Furman’s Alex Wilkins and the dominant double-double machine Justin Neely.
Mid-Season Power Rankings: We re-rank the league from 10 to 1 and preview the massive #1 vs. #2 clash between ETSU and Wofford.

Is the race for #1 in SoCon over?

Presented by Ingles Markets

SoCon Edition: WINTER STORM Hoops! Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Not even a winter storm could slow things down in the Southern Conference!

We discuss the "Winter Storm 2026" scheduling shakeup and a week of basketball that defied the odds. From a historic comeback in Charleston to a superstar performance in Spartanburg, the SoCon is starting to see some separation at the top of the standings.

In this Episode:

The 0.5% Miracle: A dive into The Citadel’s legendary 19-point comeback against Furman—one of the "greatest escapes" in program history.
Kahmare Holmes is a Problem: After a 36-point explosion against Samford and a near triple-double against Mercer, Holmes is our clear Player of the Week.
Power Rankings: ETSU (7-1) remains the frontrunner, but Wofford (6-2) is surging into second place. We break down the "Big Four" and the battle to stay out of the opening night in Asheville.
Gritty Road Wins: How ETSU found a way to win in the "Battle of Tennessee" despite a tough shooting night at Chattanooga.
Free Throw Madness: Discussing Samford's ridiculous second-half turnaround at the line—missing 10 of their first 13, then hitting 18 of their final 19.

Featured Players & Teams: We highlight standout performances from Sola Adebisi (The Citadel), Jadin Booth (Samford), Blake Barkley (ETSU), Justin Neely (UNCG), and Tom House (Furman).

What surprises will we see this week?

Presented by Ingles Markets

Coach Edition: Ryan Ridder | Mercer Head Coach Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

In this "Coach Edition" of SoCon Fast Break, we sit down with Mercer head coach Ryan Ridder to discuss the Bears' explosive start to the conference season. Coach Ridder shares how his team transitioned from a defensive-focused group in the summer to becoming the most efficient, high-octane offense in the Southern Conference today.

In this episode:

The Offensive Explosion: Insights into the "mind-boggling" numbers Mercer is putting up and the development of Baraka Okojie and Armani Mighty.
Building a Program: Coach Ridder shares his blueprint for quick turnarounds and his non-negotiable core values: toughness, unselfishness, and being a great teammate.
A Family Affair: The impact of working alongside his brother, assistant coach Reed Ridder, and growing up in a legendary coaching family.
The "Aerospace" Advantage: Does an Aerospace Studies degree from Embry-Riddle actually help with offensive efficiency?.
Recruiting for Fit: How the staff identified the specific pieces—shooting, IQ, and toughness—needed to compete at the top of the SoCon.
Life Beyond the Court: Coach talks about his transition to the Blackstone grill, his golf game, and the importance of being present with his wife and three daughters

What's the ceiling for Mercer this year?

Presented by Ingles Markets

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