University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs Place Three on Big South Preseason All-Conference Team
10.24.2017 | Men's Basketball
Big South Preseason Men's Basketball All-Conference Team
Photo Gallery
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team had three players chosen to the Big South Preseason All-Conference Team.
The league made the announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 24, as part of Big South Basketball Media Day.
UNC Asheville's Ahmad Thomas and MaCio Teague were both chosen preseason first-team selections, while Kevin Vannatta was a second-team choice.
"When you have three guys on the preseason All-Conference team it certainly shows you that you have some pieces that give you a chance to have a good team this year and that you can also build around those guys this year," UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt said.
The honor is the latest preseason recognition for Thomas, who was chosen preseason All-Mid Major by College Sports Madness. The Bulldog senior guard was tabbed as a third-team preseason All-Mid Major selection.
College Sports Madness recently also noted Thomas as the preseason league Player of the Year. The preseason Player of the Year honor was the second of the preseason for Thomas, who was also tabbed by Lindy's Sports as the Big South Conference preseason Player of the Year.
In the player ratings in the Lindy's Sports preseason publication, Thomas is also listed as one of the top-25 shooting guards in the country at the No. 24 spot. Lindy's Sports notes, "the 18.0 scorer is a threat at both ends."
In August, Thomas was listed mong the top-10 small forwards in mid-major college basketball by CBB Central.
Listed as a guard by UNC Asheville, Thomas was a first-team Big South All-Conference and NCAA Division I NABC District 3 selection last year. Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game in the 2016-17 season.
The 2016-17 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year will enter his senior season in the 2017-18 season with 1,098 points and 519 rebounds. The 56th player in Big South Conference history to score over 1,000 points and collect over 500 rebounds, Thomas with 189 steals in his career is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals. Thomas' 99 steals this season for the Bulldogs is a program record.
Thomas finished last year fourth in the country in total steals with 99 and fifth in steals per game at 3.00. The junior do-it-all Thomas led the Big South Conference in field goal percentage at 54.4 percent shooting (243-of-447).
Like Thomas, Teague has received numerous preseason accolades with College Court Report predicting the sophomore guard will be a household name nationwide this upcoming 2017-18 basketball season.
The Big South Conference Freshman of the Year, Teague ended his freshman campaign last year by being selected to the Kyle Macy Freshmen All-America Team as presented by CollegeInsider.com.
A first-team Big South Conference choice and NABC All-District 3 selection also, Teague finished his freshman season averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Teague ended his first year in a Bulldog uniform with 509 points to become just one of seven players in league history to record 500 or more points during their freshman season. At one point during Big South Conference play this past season, Teague connected on 29 consecutive free throw attempts.
In putting together his Freshman All-America season, Teague scored in double figures in 25 of UNC Asheville's 33 games. The Cincinnati, Ohio native scored 20 or more points in eight games.
In total, Teague finished in the top-10 in the Big South Conference in free throw percentage (second-88.6), field goal percentage (fourth-46.8), minutes played (fourth-34.1), three-point field goals made (sixth-70), scoring (seventh-15.4) and assists (ninth-2.7).
Vannatta enters his senior season with the Bulldogs owning a 3.94 grade-point average as an Accounting major.
Vannatta was named to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® 3 Men's Basketball first-team in addition to being tabbed as a DI-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete.
Vannatta also represents UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference on the NCAA Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Last season, Vannatta played in all 33 games on the season, starting 32. He finished his junior campaign averaging 9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and team-best and league fifth-best 3.3 assists per game. Vannatta's 110 assists on the year were also a career-best. Vannatta led the Big South in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93).
He enters his senior season with 913 career points.
UNC Asheville will start the 2017-18 season having collected back-to-back 20-win seasons and having made two straight postseason appearances with the Bulldogs playing in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The 2016-17 Bulldogs claimed a share of the Big South regular season championship and earned the second-most wins in program history in a season with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster than any other team in program history in 27 games.
The 2017-18 UNC Asheville men's and women's basketball season tickets are officially on sale.
To purchase your season tickets today, please click HERE.
Season tickets are only $250 for adult reserved seats with youth season tickets in reserved seats just $75. General admission adult season tickets are only $125 with youth season tickets in general admission also just $75.
New this year, fans can also receive one free youth season ticket with the purchase of one adult season ticket.
In addition, UNC Asheville All-Sport Passes are still available. The All-Sport Pass gives fans the chance to attend Bulldog men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball and baseball for one low price.
The All-Sport reserved seat pass for basketball is just $300 for adults with the price $150 for youth. The general admission All-Sport pass is just $175 for adults and $125 for youth.
UNC Asheville faculty, staff and alumni receive an additional 10 percent off their season ticket and All-Sport purchases.
To learn more, and to see the 2017-18 season ticket brochure, please visit HERE.
Photo Gallery
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team had three players chosen to the Big South Preseason All-Conference Team.
The league made the announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 24, as part of Big South Basketball Media Day.
UNC Asheville's Ahmad Thomas and MaCio Teague were both chosen preseason first-team selections, while Kevin Vannatta was a second-team choice.
"When you have three guys on the preseason All-Conference team it certainly shows you that you have some pieces that give you a chance to have a good team this year and that you can also build around those guys this year," UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt said.
The honor is the latest preseason recognition for Thomas, who was chosen preseason All-Mid Major by College Sports Madness. The Bulldog senior guard was tabbed as a third-team preseason All-Mid Major selection.
College Sports Madness recently also noted Thomas as the preseason league Player of the Year. The preseason Player of the Year honor was the second of the preseason for Thomas, who was also tabbed by Lindy's Sports as the Big South Conference preseason Player of the Year.
In the player ratings in the Lindy's Sports preseason publication, Thomas is also listed as one of the top-25 shooting guards in the country at the No. 24 spot. Lindy's Sports notes, "the 18.0 scorer is a threat at both ends."
In August, Thomas was listed mong the top-10 small forwards in mid-major college basketball by CBB Central.
Listed as a guard by UNC Asheville, Thomas was a first-team Big South All-Conference and NCAA Division I NABC District 3 selection last year. Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game in the 2016-17 season.
The 2016-17 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year will enter his senior season in the 2017-18 season with 1,098 points and 519 rebounds. The 56th player in Big South Conference history to score over 1,000 points and collect over 500 rebounds, Thomas with 189 steals in his career is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals. Thomas' 99 steals this season for the Bulldogs is a program record.
Thomas finished last year fourth in the country in total steals with 99 and fifth in steals per game at 3.00. The junior do-it-all Thomas led the Big South Conference in field goal percentage at 54.4 percent shooting (243-of-447).
Like Thomas, Teague has received numerous preseason accolades with College Court Report predicting the sophomore guard will be a household name nationwide this upcoming 2017-18 basketball season.
The Big South Conference Freshman of the Year, Teague ended his freshman campaign last year by being selected to the Kyle Macy Freshmen All-America Team as presented by CollegeInsider.com.
A first-team Big South Conference choice and NABC All-District 3 selection also, Teague finished his freshman season averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Teague ended his first year in a Bulldog uniform with 509 points to become just one of seven players in league history to record 500 or more points during their freshman season. At one point during Big South Conference play this past season, Teague connected on 29 consecutive free throw attempts.
In putting together his Freshman All-America season, Teague scored in double figures in 25 of UNC Asheville's 33 games. The Cincinnati, Ohio native scored 20 or more points in eight games.
In total, Teague finished in the top-10 in the Big South Conference in free throw percentage (second-88.6), field goal percentage (fourth-46.8), minutes played (fourth-34.1), three-point field goals made (sixth-70), scoring (seventh-15.4) and assists (ninth-2.7).
Vannatta enters his senior season with the Bulldogs owning a 3.94 grade-point average as an Accounting major.
Vannatta was named to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® 3 Men's Basketball first-team in addition to being tabbed as a DI-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete.
Vannatta also represents UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference on the NCAA Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Last season, Vannatta played in all 33 games on the season, starting 32. He finished his junior campaign averaging 9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and team-best and league fifth-best 3.3 assists per game. Vannatta's 110 assists on the year were also a career-best. Vannatta led the Big South in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93).
He enters his senior season with 913 career points.
UNC Asheville will start the 2017-18 season having collected back-to-back 20-win seasons and having made two straight postseason appearances with the Bulldogs playing in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The 2016-17 Bulldogs claimed a share of the Big South regular season championship and earned the second-most wins in program history in a season with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster than any other team in program history in 27 games.
The 2017-18 UNC Asheville men's and women's basketball season tickets are officially on sale.
To purchase your season tickets today, please click HERE.
Season tickets are only $250 for adult reserved seats with youth season tickets in reserved seats just $75. General admission adult season tickets are only $125 with youth season tickets in general admission also just $75.
New this year, fans can also receive one free youth season ticket with the purchase of one adult season ticket.
In addition, UNC Asheville All-Sport Passes are still available. The All-Sport Pass gives fans the chance to attend Bulldog men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball and baseball for one low price.
The All-Sport reserved seat pass for basketball is just $300 for adults with the price $150 for youth. The general admission All-Sport pass is just $175 for adults and $125 for youth.
UNC Asheville faculty, staff and alumni receive an additional 10 percent off their season ticket and All-Sport purchases.
To learn more, and to see the 2017-18 season ticket brochure, please visit HERE.
Players Mentioned
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