Game #3 - UNC Asheville

For the third time this season, The Cats return to Kimmel Arena for the third game in 4 days. This time, the game is to close out the Mako Medical Asheville Classic with host UNC Asheville. Both teams come into the contest off losses in the first-round games.

Where: Kimmel Arena, Asheville, NC
Radio: ESPN Asheville
TV/video: WSPA Ch. 7 / ESPN+
-announcers: Pete Yanity (Play by Play), Richmond Weaver (Color Analyst)
Live Stats:  Stats
Nickname:  Bulldogs
Location: Asheville, NC
Colors: Blue & White
Students: 3,765
UNCA Fan Message Board: UNCA Fans

The Series: The Catamounts and Bulldogs meet for the 54th time and the Cats lead the all-time series 31-22.  WCU has won seven of the last 10 meetings. The Cats currently hold a three-game win streak over the Bulldogs and have won 6 of the last 7 games. The series dates all the way back to 1930. UNC Asheville won the first meeting 31-28 on Feb. 3, 1930.

Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -     UNCA   

Last season's record (UNCA):  15-16 overall, 8-10 Big South, 10-5 home, 5-10 away

The UNC Asheville men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the annual Big South Preseason Poll, while DeVon Baker (First Team) and LJ Thorpe (Second Team) picked up preseason recognition. However, normal starters Devon Baker and Coty Jude did not play in the opening contest against UNCW, and are not expected to see action against the Catamounts.   

"The Bulldogs return all five starters from last season and all of those players score over 10.0 PPG. However, UNCA ranked 302d in KenPom’s overall metrics and finished just 15-16 overall, and 8-10 in the Big South. There may not have been a worse interior defensive squad in the country last season than the Bulldogs, which ranked 350th in eFG% and allowed the 2nd highest rate of attempts near the rim.

Mike Morrell starts four guards and a forward who has no interest in banging in the paint – if UNCA doesn’t turn a team over early in the shot clock, that team is usually going to score. For the dogs win games, the offense is going to be what wins, as every player in the starting five can shoot the three and all four guards can score off the bounce. Expect a ball screen-heavy attack once again in the halfcourt and running in transition, particularly off steals.

Defensively, the Bulldogs will extend pressure the length of the floor and look to trap once the ball crosses the timeline. This can result in a lot of buckets going the opposite way, but it’s also susceptible to being burned often by good ball handlers and smart-passing teams."

Key Returners: Devon Baker, LJ Thorpe, Lavar Batts Jr., Tajion Jones, Coty Jude, Trent

Stephney, Jamon Battle

Key Newcomers: Evan Clayborne (NC Central), Silas Mason, BJ Marable, Raquan Brown

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