0
0
Winthrop Looking to Climb as Berry Earns Big South Recognition
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Winthrop enters the new basketball season with renewed confidence and a roster built on experience, aiming to climb back toward the top of the Big South standings.
Guard Daylen Berry was named to the Big South Preseason Second Team, while Winthrop was picked fifth in the league’s preseason poll. The recognition highlights both Berry’s impact potential and the Eagles’ reputation as one of the conference’s most consistent programs.
Eagles Lean on Returning Core
Winthrop brings back one of the Big South’s more seasoned lineups, returning over 60 percent of its minutes from last season, according to national data. The experience within head coach Mark Prosser’s roster provides a steady foundation for a team eager to reassert itself in the conference race.
The Eagles have been a fixture near the top of the Big South in recent years, claiming 12 regular-season titles and 13 tournament championships in program history. Their blend of veteran leadership and incoming talent positions them well to remain competitive deep into the season.
Berry Adds Scoring and Defensive Punch
Berry joins the Eagles after a standout season at Charleston Southern, where he averaged 13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
He ranked among the Big South’s top 15 in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, while connecting on a team-high 56 three-pointers at a 39-percent clip from beyond the arc. Before his year at Charleston Southern, the 6-foot-4 guard played two seasons at Charlotte, appearing in 37 games for the 49ers.
Berry’s athleticism and two-way skill set make him an immediate asset for a Winthrop team seeking to reinforce its backcourt and defensive identity.
High Point Tops Big South Preseason Poll
High Point University was voted the preseason favorite to win the Big South, underscoring the competitiveness across the conference. Winthrop’s fifth-place selection reflects both respect for its history of success and belief that the Eagles can again challenge near the top of the standings.
With Berry’s arrival and a veteran core returning, Winthrop appears poised to remain one of the league’s most formidable programs heading into the new year.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Winthrop enters the new baskstrong season.
High Point was voted as the preseason favorite after winning the league last season. Asheville followed in second, receiving one first place vote opposite to the Panthers’ eight first place votes. Longwood was third (53 votes) with Radford (52 votes) and Winthrop (51 votes) close behind.
| Rank – School (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1 – High Point (8) | 80 |
| 2 – UNC Asheville (1) | 68 |
| 3 – Longwood | 53 |
| 4 – Radford | 52 |
| 5 – Winthrop | 51 |
| 6 – Presbyterian College | 37 |
| 7 – Charleston Southern | 27 |
| 8 – Gardner-Webb | 19 |
| 9 – USC Upstate | 18 |
The 2025-26 regular season opens on Monday, November 3rd with Winthrop kicking off the festivities with the third installment of the “Battle for I-77” against the Queens Royals. That game will be played at 8 AM at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.
The Eagles will open conference play on Wednesday, December 31 with a trip to Farmville, Virginia to take on Longwood.
The Big South Championship will return to Freedom Hall in Johnson City on March 4th through the 8th.
2025-26 Big South MBB Preseason All-Conference Teams
First Team
Toyaz Solomon, UNC Asheville (Preseason POTY)
Rob Martin, High Point
Scotty Washington, High Point
Elijah Tucker, Longwood
Jaylon Johnson, Radford
Second Team
Kameron Taylor, UNC Asheville
Jonah Pierce, Presbyterian College
Daylen Berry, Winthrop
A’lahn Sumler, Charleston Southern
Karmani Gregory, USC Upstate
About the Author
