Winthrop’s DJ Burns Jr. Excited For The Big South Tournament In Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Winthrop will be the 2 seed in the upcoming Big South Tournament at Bojangles Coliseum. The Eagles are coming into the postseason on an eight-game win streak after beating Charleston Southern Saturday, 92-86.

DJ Burns Jr. scored 22 points and 11 rebounds against the Buccaneers. He’s ready to compete in Charlotte and have a chance to earn the program’s third straight Big South title.

“It would be a dream come true, you know, we come out, and we fight every day to get to this point. The closer we get, the more we can taste it. We’re just going go after it, all in,” Burns said.

Making a run in the tournament isn’t easy. Winthrop will have to win three games in three days, but Burns isn’t worried about the tight turnarounds.

“We’re used to it. We grew up playing AAU, playing four, five games a day. This won’t be anything but another challenge to how strong we are and how much we’re going to come at these guys,” Burns said.

Thanks to Burns’ dominant performance this regular season, he could become the Big South Conference player of the year.

“Honestly, I kind of figured that might happen, but I haven’t really thought about it much. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to try to give it my best effort for my team every night and help us get wins,” Burns said.

The redshirt junior grew up in Rock Hill and is expecting a big support group when they play in Charlotte. He knows it won’t quite feel like neutral site games.

“That’s one of the best parts about it, to still have the fan group and support around us while we go just a short distance up the road. It’s going to feel like home games for us, and that’s a huge advantage in my book,” Burns said.

The wins aren’t as sweet for burns without the fans. One young fan drew Burns a picture of himself with a short note. She gave it to him after the Eagles won their last home game.

“She drew this for me today, and it says, you will always be number one in my dictionary, and I love that you know that’s what it’s all about, the fun of it, and just being able to bring joy to the people around us.”