Kristian Ferrell
The Southern Conference (SoCon) is considered a mid-major conference in basketball. The SoCon Basketball Tournament is the nation's oldest conference tournament, with the first tournament taking place in 1922. The Southern Conference Tournament is played at neutral sites, and the No. 1 seed has dominated in recent years. Clemson won the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament in 1939. More recently, Samford won the 2024 tournament, and Wofford won in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the tournament | 2025 |
| Winner of the tournament | Wofford |
| Previous year's winner | Samford |
| Year before that | Furman |
| Location | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Arena | Harrah's Cherokee Center |
| Seating capacity | 7,600+ |
| Regular-season title winner | Chattanooga |
| Previous winners | Chattanooga (2022), UNCG (2021), Furman (2023), ETSU (2020), Mercer (2014), Western Carolina (1996), VMI (1977) |
| First Southern Conference Tournament winner | North Carolina |
| Year | 1922 |
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What You'll Learn
Clemson won the 1939 tournament
In 1939, Clemson won the Southern Conference basketball tournament, claiming their first Southern Conference title. The tournament took place from March 1 to March 4, 1939, at Thompson Gym in Raleigh, North Carolina. Led by head coach Joe Davis, the Clemson Tigers secured the championship title despite a rocky start to the season.
Clemson was part of the old Southern Conference, which at the time consisted of 20 teams, including all the schools now in the Atlantic Coast Conference, along with South Carolina, Davidson, The Citadel, Washington & Lee, VMI, and a few others. With such a large number of members, only the top eight teams were invited to participate in the conference tournament each year, based on their conference winning percentage.
The 1938-39 Clemson team included Banks McFadden, Clemson's first two-sport All-American and retired intramurals director, who played as a junior center. Despite their success in the tournament, the team did not receive an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Years later, McFadden discovered that they had indeed received an invitation to the NIT, but it had been turned down by Athletic Director Jess Neely, who was also the football coach at the time.
In addition to their basketball achievements, Clemson also excelled in swimming that year, winning the 1939 Southern Conference men's swimming championship. P.B. Holtzendorff III set records in the 100- and 50-yard dashes, while Benton Young, John McKnight, and Ben McKnight contributed to the team's victory in the 300-yard medley. Benton Young, the team captain, went on to set a new record in the 150-yard backstroke at the 1939 Southern Conference meet.
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Wofford won in 2025
Wofford won the 2025 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, which took place from March 7–10, 2025, at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. This win earned them an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
Wofford was a strong competitor in the tournament, but they were not the only ones. Entering the tournament as the No. 1 seed was Chattanooga, who were also the betting favourites to win. They had an impressive 11-game win streak and a strong overall record of 23-8, with 15-3 in the conference. UNC Greensboro, East Tennessee State, Samford, Furman, and Wofford were also considered top contenders, with solid performances in the lead-up to the tournament.
Despite the tough competition, Wofford managed to come out on top, showcasing their skill and determination. This win added to their impressive record in the Southern Conference, as they were responsible for the SoCon's highest seeding since the field expanded to 68.
The Southern Conference Tournament is known for being dominated by the No. 1 seed, with the top seed winning seven straight titles in recent years. However, Wofford's victory in 2025 shows that skill and strategy can overcome the odds, and any team in the conference has a chance to shine.
Wofford's win in the 2025 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament is a testament to their hard work and talent, and it will surely be remembered as a significant achievement in their basketball programme's history.
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Samford won in 2024
Samford University's men's basketball team won the 2024 Southern Conference Tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The tournament took place from March 8 to March 11, 2024, at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. All ten teams in the Southern Conference were eligible to compete, with the top six teams receiving first-round byes.
Samford's road to the championship was not an easy one, as the conference was stocked with formidable teams. UNC Greensboro, Chattanooga, and Western Carolina each won over 20 games, making up a potent top four. Samford's regular-season record was 26-5, with a conference record of 15-3, which put them in a strong position going into the tournament.
The initial rounds of the tournament, including the first round and quarterfinals, were streamed on ESPN+, with the semifinals and finals airing live on ESPNU and ESPN, respectively. The Southern Conference Tournament is known for its intense competition and the 2024 edition was no exception. Samford's victory in the tournament is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
Following their Southern Conference Tournament victory in 2024, Samford went on to make their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament since 2000. This achievement showcases the team's determination and talent, as they represented Samford University on a national stage against some of the best college basketball teams in the country.
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Furman won in 2023
The Furman Paladins emerged as the winners of the 2023 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, claiming the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This marked a significant achievement for Furman, a top-seeded team, as they aimed to return to the NCAAs for the first time since 1980.
The 2023 Southern Conference Tournament, also known as the SoCon Tournament, took place from March 3-6, 2023, at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. This arena has been a familiar setting for the tournament, hosting it for the twelfth consecutive season in 2023. All ten teams from the Southern Conference participated, with the top six teams receiving first-round byes.
Furman's victory in the 2023 tournament added to the conference's trend of top seeds dominating in recent years. The No. 1 seed had won five consecutive titles leading up to 2023, and Furman continued this pattern. Their success in the Southern Conference Tournament granted them a well-deserved spot in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
The Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament is an annual event, and in 2024, the Samford team took home the victory, earning the conference's bid to the NCAA tournament. The tournament followed a similar format, with all games played at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina, from March 8-11, 2024.
Furman's triumph in 2023 highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball and the Southern Conference in particular. With a history of strong contenders and a format that allows for intense competition, the Southern Conference Tournament consistently produces memorable moments and showcases the talent of its participating teams.
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Chattanooga won in 2022
Chattanooga emerged as the winner of the 2022 Southern Conference men's basketball tournament, claiming their first SoCon men's basketball title since 2016. The tournament, held at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina, from March 4 to 7, 2022, saw intense competition among all ten teams in the Southern Conference.
Chattanooga's road to the championship game was undoubtedly challenging, as they faced strong contenders throughout the tournament. Their perseverance and talent culminated in a thrilling finale against Furman. The game was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams, with Chattanooga ultimately clinching a narrow victory.
In a nail-biting finish, David Jean-Baptiste of Chattanooga scored a buzzer-beating three-pointer, securing a 64-63 overtime win over Furman. This victory not only brought the coveted SoCon title back to Chattanooga but also earned them an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
The 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, featuring 68 teams, commenced on March 15, 2022 and concluded with the championship game on April 4. While Chattanooga's triumph in the Southern Conference tournament granted them a spot in this prestigious tournament, their journey towards the national championship faced numerous formidable opponents.
Chattanooga's performance in the 2022 Southern Conference men's basketball tournament showcased their resilience and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Their victory not only celebrated their athletic achievements but also united the community in celebration, leaving a lasting mark in the history of Chattanooga athletics.
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Frequently asked questions
Samford won the 2024 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.
Furman won the 2023 Southern Conference Basketball Tournament.
Chattanooga won the 2022 Southern Conference Basketball Tournament.
North Carolina won the first Southern Conference Basketball Tournament in 1922.
