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:

1. 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.
2. Giant Killers: Western Carolina’s 90-88 thriller over ETSU. The Catamounts have officially swept the season series against the first-place Bucs.
3. 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.
4. Injury Impact: How teams like Furman are weathering the storm with a "next man up" culture while others struggle to find depth.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

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:

1. The 0.5% Miracle: A dive into The Citadel’s legendary 19-point comeback against Furman—one of the "greatest escapes" in program history.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Gritty Road Wins: How ETSU found a way to win in the "Battle of Tennessee" despite a tough shooting night at Chattanooga.
5. 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

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:

1. The Offensive Explosion: Insights into the "mind-boggling" numbers Mercer is putting up and the development of Baraka Okojie and Armani Mighty.
2. Building a Program: Coach Ridder shares his blueprint for quick turnarounds and his non-negotiable core values: toughness, unselfishness, and being a great teammate.
3. A Family Affair: The impact of working alongside his brother, assistant coach Reed Ridder, and growing up in a legendary coaching family.
4. The "Aerospace" Advantage: Does an Aerospace Studies degree from Embry-Riddle actually help with offensive efficiency?.
5. Recruiting for Fit: How the staff identified the specific pieces—shooting, IQ, and toughness—needed to compete at the top of the SoCon.
6. 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