Rhodes Basketball's Patience Pays Off With NCAA Tournament Berth

The Division III Lynx are headed to the big dance after a major turnaround season.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:06am

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The Rhodes College men's basketball team has had a remarkable turnaround, going from a 12-16 season two years ago to winning the Southern Athletic Association regular-season title this year and earning a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament. Led by senior Phil Dotson III, the Lynx have relied on patience and trust in head coach Steven "Zo" Goodson's vision to build a top defensive team that is now on the verge of an NCAA tournament bid.

Why it matters

Rhodes' success is a testament to the power of trust and patience in college athletics, where programs often struggle to maintain continuity. The Lynx's journey shows that with the right leadership and buy-in from players, a struggling program can turn things around and achieve unexpected heights.

The details

Two years ago, Goodson told a reporter that if they waited two years, they'd see a much-improved Rhodes team. He was right. After a 12-16 season in 2021-22, the Lynx won the SAA regular-season title this year, going 21-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play. A key part of the turnaround was senior Phil Dotson III, who committed to Goodson even when the program was struggling. Dotson actually left for a semester but returned and has emerged as the SAA player of the year. After a slow start, the Lynx reeled off 10 straight wins, becoming the top defensive team in the country during that stretch.

  • Two seasons ago, Goodson told a reporter the Lynx would be much improved in two years.
  • In the 2021-22 season, Rhodes went 12-16.
  • This season, Rhodes won the SAA regular-season title on February 22, 2026.
  • The Lynx are now preparing for the SAA tournament, where they hope to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

The players

Steven "Zo" Goodson

The head coach of the Rhodes College men's basketball team, who took over the program in 2020 and has led its turnaround.

Phil Dotson III

A senior at Rhodes and the SAA player of the year, who committed to Goodson's vision for the program even when it was struggling.

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What they’re saying

“Give us two years. Wait till you see this team in two years.”

— Steven "Zo" Goodson, Head Coach (commercialappeal.com)

“These guys trusted us, trusted me, at a time I had nothing to sell. I want to be real with you. This place didn't look like it does now. We didn't have the locker room. I was coming off a 10-15 year. But they saw the plan. They saw the plans we had to turn this place around, and what we were doing and what we were trying to build. And they trusted me. And they believed in me when they had a lot of reason not to.”

— Steven "Zo" Goodson, Head Coach (commercialappeal.com)

What’s next

The Lynx will compete in the Southern Athletic Association tournament, where they hope to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

The takeaway

Rhodes College's remarkable turnaround, led by the patience and trust of head coach Steven "Zo" Goodson and his players, serves as an inspiring example of how a struggling program can rebuild and achieve unexpected success through commitment to a long-term vision.