Big South Tournament 2021: Bracket, How to Watch, Dates, Preview, Location

Big South Tournament Preview originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

If you're looking for a darkhorse single-bid conference team to pick as an upset in the NCAA Tournament, historically you don't need to look much further than the Big South Conference. 

Winthrop was the class of the conference this season and looks to do some damage in March. After winning the tournament title just a year ago, they missed out on advancing to the tournament because of the coronavirus. A loss to UNC Asheville is the only thing that prevented the Eagles from an undefeated season. 

Still, with a No. 72 ranking in the NET, the Eagles have not done enough to earn an at-large bid for March Madness. Just like the rest of their opposition, Winthrop needs to win the automatic bid to keep their year alive. 

It should be a surprise to no one that Winthrop led the way, as they lead the league in conference championships. Now with Pat Kelsey at the helm, they are looking for their third NCAA Tournament bid in the past five seasons. 

BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT 2021 INFORMATION:  

When is the 2021 Big South Tournament?

The Big South Tournament will be held from February 27-March 7. The Big South Championship Game is on Sunday, March 7.  

Where is the 2021 Big South Tournament? 

The Big South will have the higher seed in each matchup host the contest for the tournament. The championship game will be hosted by the highest seed remaining in the tournament. 

How to watch the 2021 Big South Tournament? 

The First Round and Quarterfinals will be streamed on ESPN3. The semifinals will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Big South Championship Game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Who is the defending 2020 Big South Champion? 

The Winthrop Eagles won the 2020 Big South championship, their first tournament title since 2017 by defeating Hampton in the championship game. The Eagles did not get to play in the NCAA Tournament since it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT 2021 BRACKET:

Big South Tournament First Round (2/27, Times ET) 

- No. 10 Presbyterian at No. 7 Hampton, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

- No. 9 USC Upstate at No. 8 High Point, 4:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Big South Tournament Quarterfinals (3/1, Times ET)

- High Point/ USC Upstate winner at No. 1 Winthrop, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

- No. 5 Longwood at No. 4 UNC Asheville, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

- Hampton/ Presbyterian winner at No. 2 Radford, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

- No. 6 Gardner-Webb at No. 3 Campbell, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Big South Tournament Semifinals (3/4, Times ET) 

- TBD at TBD, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)

- TBD at. TBD, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)

Big South Tournament Championship (3/7, Time ET) 

- TBD at TBD, 12:00 pm (ESPN) 

BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT 2021 PREVIEW:  

It was quite the season for Winthrop as they rolled through the Big South conference and posted one of the best overall records in the country. Playing 18 conference games and three non-conference games, they only recorded one loss to prevent them from gaining perfection. 

If any team were to upset the Eagles, it would be considered a massive upset. 

Offensively, they've dominated a conference historically known for their defense. Their scoring margin is 10+ over their opponents, nearly three times more than the next closest team. And it has been successful with a balanced offensive attack. 

Chandler Vaudrin has the highest per-game average at 12.3 points, but he is one of four Eagles that are above nine points per game on the season. His impact, though, is felt all over the court. The 6-foot-7 senior seems to have a magnet for the ball in his hands and is seen making plays in every corner and on every possession. 

As a guard, he leads the team in rebounding (6.8), assists (6.7), steals (1.4) and 3-point percentage (46.3%). So if the opposition key ins on him, there are so many ways he can make them pay with the other weapons they have. 

Naturally, teams will try to duplicate what UNC Asheville did in their big victory. The Bulldogs held Winthrop to some of their worst shooting figures on the season (31.9% and 15.0%) to secure the upset.

A balanced offensive team of their own proved to be enough to get the win. A repeat performance though probably won't be in the cards. 

Other underdogs that might have a shot to strike an upset include Hampton - led by the conference's leading scorer Davion Warren - and the defensive-minded Radford Highlanders. 

PICK: No. 1 Winthrop

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