USA South Athletic Conference: Season 2025-26
USASouth 2025-26
Tournament Winner: North Carolina Wesleyan College
USASouth Final: North Carolina Wesleyan College - Pfeiffer University 84-79 North Carolina Wesleyan College (John Thompson): Rashod Smith, James Jones, Markquan Gilbert, Deejayy Cox, Dahir Hagi, Ro'Mello Pegues, Zarion Williams, Christian Etter, Justin Burden, Nasir Johnson, Omari Bolden, Marcus Portis, Brayden Blue, Fisayo Adebimpe, DJ Benbow, Jordan Dancy, Josh Laney Standings 2025-26
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Team
W-L
USASouth
- qualified to the play-offs  North Carolina Wesleyan College won USASouth Championship 2025-26
 Pfeiffer Falls in USA South Title Game to NC Wesleyan-Mar 1, 2026
Pfeiffer put together a furious second-half push but couldn't overcome visiting N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday evening, falling 84-79 at Merner Gym in the USA South Tournament Championship game. Doug Smith (6'8''-F) powered the Falcons (17–9, 12–2 USA South) with 27 points and 13 rebounds, dominating inside and sparking multiple runs that kept Pfeiffer within striking distance. The senior forward shot 12 of 18 from the field and added two blocks in 33 minutes. Pfeiffer also got strong perimeter production from Sean Sucarichi (6'3''-G), who knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points and five assists. Justin Gaten (6'6''-F) added 17 points, including three makes from beyond the arc, while Clayton Robinson (6'0''-G) hit three 3-pointers of his own before fouling out late with 13 points. The Falcons trailed 34–31 at halftime but surged ahead briefly on Sucarichi's shooting and Smith's interior scoring. Pfeiffer outrebounded the Battling Bishops 42–27, including a commanding 19–8 edge on the offensive glass, repeatedly generating second-chance opportunities. But N.C. Wesleyan countered with a blistering offensive second half, shooting 18 for 27 and outscoring Pfeiffer 53–45 after the break. The Bishops were especially efficient at the line, going 16 for 19 in the second half. Despite late buckets by Smith and a deep 3-pointer from Sucarichi with nine seconds left, Pfeiffer could not close the gap as N.C. Wesleyan sealed the game at the stripe, earning their seventh USA South Title and earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. USA South Final: Pfeiffer - NC Wesleyan 79-84 USA South Semifinals: Pfeiffer - Methodist 93-72 NC Wesleyan - Southern Virginia 84-81 USA South Quarterfinals: Southern Virginia - Mary Baldwin 89-73 Greensboro - Methodist 70-82 Courtesy of usasouth.net  All-USA South Awards 2026-Mar 1, 2026
 Doug Smith, forward from the Pfeiffer University, picked up the Player of the Year at the NCAA Division III.
He received multiple other awards, was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted to the First Team and Tournament Team.
Smith was previously voted the Tournament Semifinals, Defensive Player of the Year back in 2024, Regular Season Champion, Tournament Winner and selected to the First Team last year.
Jadon Carnes, forward from the Brevard Tornados, was chosen to the First Team of NCAA Division III.
He was previously selected as the Tournament Semifinals back in 2023.
Carnes' team made it to the South Tournament Semifinals in 2023.
DJ Jackson, guard from the Greensboro Pride, was named to the First Team at the NCAA Division III.
He was previously honored as the Regular Season Runner-Up and Tournament Finalist back in 2024.
He played in the final of the USA South Tournament in 2024.
Nasir Johnson, guard from the North Carolina Wesleyan College, earned a spot in the First Team of NCAA Division III.
He previously earned the Atlantic A District Finalist back in 2021.
Tillman Johnson, shooting guard from the Southern Virginia University, was voted to the First Team at the NCAA Division III.
He previously picked up the Tournament Semifinals, and selected to the Second Team and Tournament Team last year.
Among many awards he was selected to the All-USA South Second Team in 2025.
He was also selected to the USA South All-Tournament Team in 2025.
All-Tournament MVP:  Justin Burden (6'5''-F) of NC WesleyanPlayer of the Year: Doug Smith (6'8''-F) of PfeifferDefensive Player of the Year: Doug Smith (6'8''-F) of PfeifferRookie of the Year: Ashton Davis (6'9''-C) of SVUCoach of the Year: Trace Bevell of SVU All-USA South First Team 2026  Carnes  Jackson  Johnson  Johnson  Smith Jadon Carnes (6'4''-F) of Brevard DJ Jackson (6'2''-G) of Greensboro Nasir Johnson (6'1''-G) of NC Wesleyan Tillman Johnson (6'3''-SG) of SVU Doug Smith (6'8''-F) of PfeifferAll-USA South Second Team 2026  Benton  Brooks  Green  Robinson  Smith Raymond Benton (6'3''-F) of Mary Baldwin KJ Brooks (6'3''-G) of Methodist DJ Green (5'10''-PG) of SVU Clayton Robinson (6'0''-G) of Pfeiffer Rashod Smith (5'10''-PG) of NC WesleyanUSA South All-Tournament Team 2026  Ballstaedt  Burden  Gaten  Jones Smith Smith Jude Ballstaedt (6'2''-SG) of SVU Justin Burden (6'5''-F) of NC Wesleyan Justin Gaten (6'6''-F) of Pfeiffer James Jones (6'4''-G) of NC Wesleyan Doug Smith (6'8''-F) of Pfeiffer Rashod Smith (5'10''-PG) of NC WesleyanAll-Sportsmanship Team Zane Caudle (5'10''-G) of Brevard Aidan Eller (6'5''-F) of Greensboro Corey Easton (6'2''-SG) of Mary Baldwin Sean O'Connor (6'4''-F) of Methodist Jordan Dancy (6'5''-F) of NC Wesleyan Josh Johnson (6'0''-G) of Pfeiffer Hyrum McConkie (6'9''-C) of SVU Tyler Whitehurst (5'10'') of William Peace | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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