HUNTINGTON — Western Carolina has never been considered a Southern Conference power in men’s basketball, not when Marshall was in the league (1977-97) and not this season, picked eighth in the 10-team league. Their only SoCon title came in 1995-96, then nearly became the first No. 16 seed to upset a No. 1 when they lost 73-71 to Purdue.
Chattanooga was picked at No. 1 — as they were many times in the Herd’s tenure — and East Tennessee State is No. 2, they program that really took off as the Herd was coming off the glory of the Rick Huckabay coached teams.