SoCon Edition: Second-Half SURGE
SoCon Edition: Second-Half SURGE  
Podcast: SoCon Fast Break
Published On: Mon Feb 02 2026
Description: 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