Game #9: UNC Asheville

Who: UNC Asheville Bulldogs
When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Time: 4 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats
Conference: Big South Conference (BS)
Location: Asheville, NC
Enrollment: 3,233
Nickname: Bulldogs
Mascot: Rocky
Colors: Blue and White
Message Board: none

Head Coach: Mike Morrell is in his sixth season at the helm of the UNC Asheville men's basketball program in 2023-24. Morrell, the 2022-23 Big South Coach of the Year, guided the Bulldogs to one of the best seasons in program history in 2022-23. Asheville posted a school record 27 wins on the season and captured both the Big South Regular Season and Tournament Championships.

Morrell's record vs. WCU: 2-3

Gray's record vs. UNCA:  0-2

Current Record (UNCA): 5-4 overall, 3-1 home, 0-2 away, 2-1 neutral, 0-0 conference
Last Seasons Record (UNCA): 27-8 overall, 13-0 home, 10-6 away, 4-2 neutral, 16-2 conference

The Series: Western owns a 33-24 overall record with Asheville, going 7-3 in the last 10 games played. The Cats have lost the last two games between the two teams, and the Cats are 19-9 in games played in Cullowhee.

Western comes into this game having dropped two road games to two Big South teams, while the Bulldogs dropped an overtime road game to Kennesaw State, ending a three game winning streak. 

Asheville was projected to win the conference in preseason voting. Drew Pember currently leads the Bulldogs in the scoring column, averaging 16.9 points a game. Under the basket, Pember leads the team with 6.4 rebounds a game and 12 blocked shots. Pember is 15 blocked shots away from 200 career blocked shots. Fletcher Abee is averaging 13.5 points per game and leads the team with a .481 3-point shooting percentage. He leads the conference in 3-point field goals per game (3.3) and leads in free throw percentage with a .952. Caleb Burgess leads the league with 44 assists, averaging 5.5 a game, and has a league-high assist-to-turnover ratio (3.7).