Show Notes
The 2026 Ingles Fast Break Summer Tour rolls into Macon! Mercer Head Coach Ryan Ridder and junior guard Brady Shoulders discuss the Bears' plan for the 2026 season. Coach Ridder holds nothing back — from what shaped his faith to the trial by fire of taking over his first program at just 28 years old. Plus, Brady Shoulders opens up about his off-court bond with his teammates, his absolute obsession with bringing a championship banner to Macon, and why he chose to remain loyal to Coach Ridder's culture rather than walk away in the transfer portal. In This Episode: You Either Believe or You Don't — Coach Ridder opens up about navigating the devastating loss of his brother and how it solidified his faith. "Tough, Together, Unselfish" — Breaking down the core program pillars established at Daytona State in 2013. Earning the Right to Coach Hard — Why the modern player relationship requires transparency, gym hours, and real investment before raising your voice. Brady Shoulders on the Portal — Why the grass isn't always greener and his relentless drive to hang a SoCon banner. Roster & Staff Blueprint — Navigating a brand-new roster and rebuilding a coaching staff after six offseason defections.
Presented by Ingles Markets
More from SoCon Fast Break
The 2026-27 Southern Conference basketball preseason coaches poll is here, and the predictions raise one burning question: did the league's head coaches get it right? Furman claims the preseason top spot, but looming eligibility questions could flip the script. Meanwhile, VMI boasts the preseason Player of the Year and the league's top returning scorer, yet finds itself slotted all the way down at ninth. Add in Tennessee Tech making its Southern Conference debut in the middle of the pack, and the stage is set for serious drama. Richmond Weaver and Darren Angell return to break down the biggest surprises, snubs, and what these preseason rankings truly signal heading into the season. In This Episode: Furman at No. 1 & The Eligibility Factor — Why the Paladins were picked to repeat at the top and how eligibility uncertainties could shift the standings. Complete Poll Breakdown — Sizing up the 2026-27 rankings from top to bottom, including UNCG's transfer portal overhaul. The VMI Conundrum — Breaking down Rickey Bradley Jr.'s Preseason Player of the Year nod and why the Keydets were projected ninth despite elite firepower. Tennessee Tech's SoCon Arrival — How the Golden Eagles fit into the middle tier of the conference in their inaugural campaign. Preseason All-SoCon & Parity — Examining the All-SoCon selections, potential snubs, and how wide open the race to Asheville will be.
The 2026 Ingles SoCon Fast Break Summer Tour marches into Charleston, SC! The Citadel Head Coach Ed Conroy and junior guard Keynan Davis break down the remarkable turnaround in Charleston, building a culture of toughness, and why the Bulldogs' best basketball is still ahead. Coach Conroy opens up about navigating the transfer portal, serving as the caretaker of McAlister Fieldhouse, inverting the offense in the modern Southern Conference, and why college athletics is alive and well. In This Episode: "We're Just Getting Started" — Coach Conroy details the turnaround from zero league wins to contention and setting a standard of relentless competition. The Caretaker of McAlister Fieldhouse — Coaching journey lessons, handling adversity and tough losses, and defending the true value of college athletics. Keynan Davis on the Two-Man Weave — Adjusting from Chicago to military school culture, playing for the flag across the chest, and the story behind wearing No. 22. Modernizing Bulldog Basketball — Adapting offensive philosophy, inverting the floor, and "trading four years for forty" in recruiting. 2026 Bulldog Preview — Adding size, physicality, and defensive edge to stay longer in Asheville come March.
The 2026 Ingles SoCon Fast Break Summer Tour heads to Cookeville, TN! Tennessee Tech Head Coach Tobin Anderson and forward De'Ante Green break down the Golden Eagles' arrival in the Southern Conference, the high-pressure playing style coming with them, and the chip on their shoulder heading into the new season. Coach Anderson opens up about the historic March Madness run over Purdue, navigating an unexpected coaching change, embracing the history in Cookeville, and instilling a relentless press-and-pace identity. Plus, De'Ante Green joins Richmond for the Two-Man Weave segment to discuss battling back from an Achilles injury, returning closer to family, and the personal meaning behind his tattoos. In This Episode: Toughness, Press & Pace — Coach Anderson breaks down the aggressive, uptempo brand of basketball Tennessee Tech brings into the Southern Conference. The Journey & The March Madness Magic — Reflecting on the historic 16-over-1 upset of Purdue, the path to Cookeville, and turning unexpected coaching changes into fuel. De'Ante Green on the Two-Man Weave — Overcoming a torn Achilles, beating the odds, playing closer to his Asheville roots, and the story behind his ink. Building the Golden Eagle Foundation — Honoring program history, establishing non-negotiable culture standards, and why Cookeville feels like home. A New Threat in the SoCon — What to expect from Tennessee Tech as they look to make an immediate statement across the league.
The 2026 Ingles SoCon Fast Break Summer Tour rolls into the Scenic City! Chattanooga Head Coach Dan Earl and sophomore sharpshooter Tate Darner break down how the Mocs are rebuilding from the ground up after an injury-riddled season and navigating the wild landscape of modern college basketball. Coach Earl opens up about managing transfer portal chaos, lessons learned from his Big Ten playing days and military school coaching roots, offensive philosophy, and why last season's adversity laid the foundation for the future. In This Episode: Overcoming the Injury Reset — Coach Earl breaks down last season's setback and how Chattanooga is retooling its roster with size, athleticism, and shooting bigs. Tate Darner on the Two-Man Weave — Breaking the Mocs' freshman 3-point record (53 made), growing up in a basketball family, and the nightly grind of the SoCon. Coaching Philosophy & Roots — Lessons from Penn State, VMI, and Navy, balancing tough love with encouragement, and the "Jake Stevens Standard" in recruiting. The Reality of Mid-Major Hoops — Navigating the transfer portal era, the thin margin between NIT euphoria and season devastation, and why McKenzie Arena remains special. 2026 Moc Preview — Playing style, pace and space, non-conference scheduling, and preparing for the SoCon Tournament in Asheville.
The 2026 Ingles SoCon Fast Break Summer Tour stops in Spartanburg, SC! Wofford Head Coach Kevin Giltner shares the unique culture, roster identity, and fit-first philosophy defining Terrier basketball heading into the new season. Coach Giltner reflects on his homecoming to Spartanburg, the enduring influence of Mike Young, navigating modern offseason realities, and why Wofford is building a bigger, deeper, and more athletic roster in 2026. Plus, Luke Flynn joins Richmond for the two-man weave segment to talk student section energy in "The Boneyard," gameday superstitions, and the ultimate GOAT debate. In This Episode: "Know What Wins at Wofford" — Coach Giltner breaks down why fit beats pure star ratings and what makes Spartanburg a unique college basketball home. The Wofford Homecoming & Leadership Evolution — Transitioning into the head coaching seat, the daily influence of Mike Young, and making Year One fun. Luke Flynn in the two-man weave — Off-court superstitions, fuel from "The Boneyard" student section, and taking a side on the LeBron debate. Portal Realities & Roster Standards — Setting high expectations, managing roster movement, and maintaining program standards. 2026 Terrier Preview — Inside the blueprint for a bigger, more athletic, and deeper Wofford squad ready to contend in the SoCon.