ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? The UNC Asheville men's basketball team opens Big South Conference play Saturday afternoon against Liberty University at Justice Center starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on WISE Radio (1310-AM) and video-streamed for a small fee at www.bigsouthsports.com. The game can also be seen on television on a tape delay basis for the next week on AET Channel 16 in the Asheville area starting Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets are still available by calling 251-6904 or going on-line at www.uncabulldogs.com.
The Bulldogs bring their best ever non-conference record in the Big South Conference era with an 11-4 overall record. Asheville had a three-game winning streak snapped at top-ranked UNC Chapel Hill Wednesday night, 93-81. However, the Bulldogs gave the Tar Heels everything they wanted before falling. Bryan Smithson led all scorers with 25 points. Kenny George had his third double-double in the last four games with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“We're very pleased at how our non-conference portion of the season went,” stated Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. “We had some injuries along the way but found a way to play through those injuries and do a good job for the most part. I like the way we toughed out some wins and got contributions from a lot of different people.”
Asheville needs to turns its focus to the Big South Conference and a rapidly-improving Liberty squad that enters the Justice Center with an 8-7 overall record. The Flames have won six of their last night games and posted some impressive non-conference wins.
“It's nice we beat South Carolina last week. It's nice we gave North Carolina a great game but now we have to turn the page and get ready for the most important part of our schedule,” said Biedenbach. “I'm very impressed with the Big South this year. Top to bottom it's as good as I've seen.
“We've got a real challenge in Liberty,” added Biedenbach. “They have some of the best forwards in the league and their backcourt is quite good. It's obvious that Ritchie McKay (Liberty's first-year head coach) is doing an outstanding job coaching them. They have improved a great deal from last year and are going to be one of the teams competing for a league title this season.”
Liberty is led this year by senior forward Alex McLean. McLean is averaging 16.9 points and 8.rebounds per game. Anthony Smith is one of the best three-point shooters in the league and has knocked down 38 treys, while averaging 14.5 points per game.
The Bulldogs have four players averaging in double figures. Bryan Smithson tops the club with a 17.1 scoring average. K.J. Garland is averaging 16.0 points per game and is 11th nationally in assists with a 6.6 mark. He has 421 career assists and needs just 10 to move into second place on the Asheville career list. Kenny George is closing in on averaging a double-double. He is averaging 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Kenny leads the nation in blocked shots with 69. Vincent James is averaging 11.1 points per game and tops the team in steals at 24.
NOTES ? UNC Asheville is 10-1 in Big South Conference openers under Eddie Biedenbach...Asheville has won 15 of its last 19 games dating back to last season...the Bulldogs are 8-1 at home this year...Asheville has shot at or better than 50 percent in 10 games this season...the Bulldogs have 129 blocked shots this year compared to 32 for their opponents...Asheville needs just 14 blocked shots to break last year's school record of 142.
