University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: UNC Asheville
Bulldogs Travel to Longwood Looking to Keep Up Winning Ways
02.10.2017 | Men's Basketball
UNC Asheville-Longwood Game Notes (PDF - Click Link to Access)
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (19-7, 11-2 Big South Conference)
Longwood (6-18, 3-10 Big South Conference)
Location: Farmville, Va. / Willett Hall
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 / 5 p.m.
Video: Big South Network
Radio: NEWS RADIO 570 WWNC
Talent: Brian Hall
Live Stats: uncabulldogs.com
Twitter: @ashevilledogs #ThePursuit
BULLDOG BITES
SATURDAY BIG SOUTH BASKETBALL: UNC Asheville travels to Longwood to face off against the Lancers in a Big South Conference battle at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.
SEARCHING FOR WIN NO. 20: With a win over Longwood, UNC Asheville men's basketball would reach the 20-win plateau on the season, and it would mark the fewest number of games overall to reach 20 wins as Big South Conference members.
SPECIAL LEAGUE STREAK CONTINUES: With the win over High Point, UNC Asheville is assured of at least 10 wins in Big South Conference play for the 10th straight year, which is a new league record.
SERIES: UNC Asheville and Longwood will be meeting for the ninth time with the Bulldogs owning a 7-1 all-time series advantage.
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE: UNC Asheville's win over Winthrop allowed the Bulldogs to remain tied with Liberty (16-10, 11-2 Big South Conference) for the top spot in the Big South Conference. The Flames also played a double overtime game on Thursday with Liberty besting Gardner-Webb, 92-87.
HOME SWEET HOME: UNC Asheville is currently in the midst of a seven-game home winning streak. The Bulldogs are 11-1 on the year at home. UNC Asheville after the win over Winthrop is now 66-16 all-time at Kimmel Arena, including 46-10 in Big South Conference contests.
STREAKING: With the win over Winthrop, UNC Asheville is now in the midst of a six-game winning streak. The six-game winning streak is the third five or more game winning streak of the year for the Bulldogs.
FREE BASKETBALL: After the double overtime win over Winthrop, UNC Asheville is now 3-1 on the year in overtime contests.
ABOUT LONGWOOD: Injury-riddled Longwood welcomes UNC Asheville to Willett Hall having lost 10 straight games. The Lancers are led by Khris Lane's 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS: Senior forward Will Weeks picked up seven of his 12 rebounds in the win over Winthrop on the offensive glass. As a team, Asheville collected 15 offensive rebounds with Ahmad Thomas corralling four of his 10 boards on the offensive glass.
FIRST MEETING OF SEASON (1/11/17): In an early conference season battle among two of the teams atop the league standings, UNC Asheville men's basketball remained tied for the top spot in the Big South Conference men's basketball standings with an 89-68 win over Longwood at Kimmel Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. MaCio Teague and Ahmad Thomas led the Bulldogs in their win with each posting 27 points. Teague also collected four rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Thomas added six rebounds, two steals and one assist to his scoring tally. Drew Rackley was the final Bulldog in double figures with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Longwood was led by Khris Lane's game-high 32 points in its loss. He also had eight rebounds, a block and a steal.
LAST TIME OUT - INSTANT CLASSIC: In a game that everyone in attendance and also that watched on national television on ESPNU and listened to on News Radio 570 WWNC will never forget the UNC Asheville men's basketball team picked up a thrilling 104-101 double overtime win over Winthrop before a crowd of 2,732 at Kimmel Arena on Thursday, Feb. 9. Five Bulldogs finished in double figures in the win with two in junior guard Ahmad Thomas and senior forward Will Weeks acquiring double-doubles. Thomas ended his evening with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Weeks had 14 points and a career-best 12 rebounds and a career-high-tying six assists along with three steals and one block. Asheville junior guard Kevin Vannatta closed out his evening just short of a double-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Senior guard David Robertson had 14 points, two rebounds and one steal in the Bulldog win. Freshman guard MaCio Teague once again showed why he is one of the best freshmen and really best players in the Big South Conference by finishing his night with 24 points, five assists, four rebounds and the one pivotal block. Teague was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line in the game. Senior guard Keon Johnson led four Eagles in double figures with a career-best 40 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. As a team, Asheville finished its win shooting 48.6 percent (34-of-70). The Bulldogs were an impressive 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the free throw line. Winthrop closed out its loss to the Bulldogs shooting 55.2 percent (37-of-67) as a team.
ELITE GROUP: With the win over Presbyterian on Thursday, Jan. 26, UNC Asheville head coach Nick McDevitt became just the third coach in Big South history to win at least 15 games in his first four seasons in the league. McDevitt joins Radford's Ron Bradley and Winthrop's Gregg Marshall in the elite grouping.
SURGING TOWARDS 1,000: With his 25 points in the win over Charleston Southern, Bulldog junior guard Ahmad Thomas passed the 900-point plateau. He now has 966 career points.
SANDWICH ARTIST FOR A GREAT CAUSE: UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt recently showed off his Subway Sandwich Artistry skills at the Subway restaurant on 740 Merrimon Ave., Merrimon Square, Asheville, NC 28804. The special appearance by McDevitt at Subway was part of an effort to help raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. Bulldog fans, normal Subway lunch lovers and even some of McDevitt's own players came out to support the tremendous cause during McDevitt's appearance from 12-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Sporting a blue UNC Asheville Adidas polo, a Subway hat and his own personal Subway nameplate, McDevitt by the conclusion of his time at Subway even had people ringing the bell at the end of the line to denote he had made a perfect sandwich. The efforts towards helping this cause are definitely still ongoing as donations can still be made at checkout at local SUBWAY® restaurants through Feb. 28 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the local Coaches vs. Cancer program. The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Locally, the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association has joined the effort to promote healthy living, raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer. For more information on Coaches vs. Cancer, visit www.cancer.org.
ZILLI BLOCK PARTY: Giacomo Zilli tied his career high with three blocks in the win over Radford. Zilli also had three blocks in an 87-48 win over Johnson & Wales at Kimmel Arena on Nov. 19, 2014.
ESPNU TO TELEVISE UNC ASHEVILLE-GARDNER-WEBB: ESPNU has selected the UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb men's basketball contest scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 as its Big South Wildcard Selection broadcast, it was announced by the Big South Conference office. Game time will be 9 pm ET inside Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, N.C. Robert Lee (play-by-play) and Nate Ross (analyst) will handle the call from courtside. "We are extremely thankful to have the opportunity to once again be able to highlight our program on national television," UNC Asheville head men's basketball coach Nick McDevitt said. It will be the second regular-season meeting between the squads, as Asheville prevailed in overtime, 90-85 back on Dec. 31. Bulldogs' freshman MaCio Teague led all scorers with 25 points, while David Robertson added 23. GWU was led by Jamaal Robateau and LaQuincy Rideau with 16 points each. The UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb game is the fourth and final Big South ESPNU Wildcard broadcast this season. The 2016-17 campaign marked the fourth consecutive year that four regular-season Big South contests appeared on ESPNU.
ZAXBY'S FOWL SHOT: UNC Asheville fans are always strong and vocal behind their team during Bulldog basketball games, but in the second half of home games the rest of this basketball season their enthusiasm for the Bulldogs could mean free Zaxby's. The new Zaxby's "Fowl Shot" promotion kicks in after the under-12 minute media timeout during Bulldog basketball games. For the final 12 minutes of the Bulldog basketball games if a visiting player misses both free throws during a trip to the free throw line a voucher after the game will be handed out to all fans in attendance where they will receive a free Chicken Nibbler courtesy of Zaxby's. The vouchers from Zaxby's must be redeemed within 48 hours at any Zaxby's location.
AMONG THE BEST: Already the single-season program record holder in the category, Ahmad Thomas is currently tied for third in the country in total steals with 80. He is fifth in the country in steals per game with 3.08 steals per outing. Thomas with his five steals in the win over Charleston Southern on Feb. 1 became the first Big South player with back-to-back 70-steal campaigns since VMI's Chavis Holmes (2006-08). He is just the fourth overall in Big South Conference history to accomplish the impressive feat. Currently second in the league in steals, Thomas is trying to become the first player to lead the league in steals in consecutive years since Radford's Javonte Green (2013-15).
NEARING 1,000: Junior guards Ahmad Thomas and Kevin Vannatta are both nearing 1,000 points. Currently, Thomas has 966 career points, while Vannatta has scored 851 in his Bulldog career. Asheville senior guard David Robertson is also closing in on 1,000 points in his career as he currently has 859 points in his four-year career.
IT'S A STEAL: The UNC Asheville men's basketball team boasts one of the top defenses in the entire country with the Bulldogs fourth in the country in total steals (246). The Bulldogs are also sixth in the country in steals per game (9.46).
UP NEXT: UNC Asheville men's basketball welcomes Presbyterian to Kimmel Arena for a 7 p.m. Big South Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
QUOTABLES
"Longwood is playing with a short bench due to some unfortunate injuries and illnesses on their team, but they do have some talented players and their starters are all talented and they are capable of beating anyone in this league. For us, coming off an emotional double overtime win and then having a quick turnaround it will be a challenge for us to put the Winthrop game behind and focus on the next game." - Head Coach Nick McDevitt
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (19-7, 11-2 Big South Conference)
Longwood (6-18, 3-10 Big South Conference)
Location: Farmville, Va. / Willett Hall
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 / 5 p.m.
Video: Big South Network
Radio: NEWS RADIO 570 WWNC
Talent: Brian Hall
Live Stats: uncabulldogs.com
Twitter: @ashevilledogs #ThePursuit
BULLDOG BITES
SATURDAY BIG SOUTH BASKETBALL: UNC Asheville travels to Longwood to face off against the Lancers in a Big South Conference battle at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.
SEARCHING FOR WIN NO. 20: With a win over Longwood, UNC Asheville men's basketball would reach the 20-win plateau on the season, and it would mark the fewest number of games overall to reach 20 wins as Big South Conference members.
SPECIAL LEAGUE STREAK CONTINUES: With the win over High Point, UNC Asheville is assured of at least 10 wins in Big South Conference play for the 10th straight year, which is a new league record.
SERIES: UNC Asheville and Longwood will be meeting for the ninth time with the Bulldogs owning a 7-1 all-time series advantage.
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE: UNC Asheville's win over Winthrop allowed the Bulldogs to remain tied with Liberty (16-10, 11-2 Big South Conference) for the top spot in the Big South Conference. The Flames also played a double overtime game on Thursday with Liberty besting Gardner-Webb, 92-87.
HOME SWEET HOME: UNC Asheville is currently in the midst of a seven-game home winning streak. The Bulldogs are 11-1 on the year at home. UNC Asheville after the win over Winthrop is now 66-16 all-time at Kimmel Arena, including 46-10 in Big South Conference contests.
STREAKING: With the win over Winthrop, UNC Asheville is now in the midst of a six-game winning streak. The six-game winning streak is the third five or more game winning streak of the year for the Bulldogs.
FREE BASKETBALL: After the double overtime win over Winthrop, UNC Asheville is now 3-1 on the year in overtime contests.
ABOUT LONGWOOD: Injury-riddled Longwood welcomes UNC Asheville to Willett Hall having lost 10 straight games. The Lancers are led by Khris Lane's 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS: Senior forward Will Weeks picked up seven of his 12 rebounds in the win over Winthrop on the offensive glass. As a team, Asheville collected 15 offensive rebounds with Ahmad Thomas corralling four of his 10 boards on the offensive glass.
FIRST MEETING OF SEASON (1/11/17): In an early conference season battle among two of the teams atop the league standings, UNC Asheville men's basketball remained tied for the top spot in the Big South Conference men's basketball standings with an 89-68 win over Longwood at Kimmel Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. MaCio Teague and Ahmad Thomas led the Bulldogs in their win with each posting 27 points. Teague also collected four rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Thomas added six rebounds, two steals and one assist to his scoring tally. Drew Rackley was the final Bulldog in double figures with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Longwood was led by Khris Lane's game-high 32 points in its loss. He also had eight rebounds, a block and a steal.
LAST TIME OUT - INSTANT CLASSIC: In a game that everyone in attendance and also that watched on national television on ESPNU and listened to on News Radio 570 WWNC will never forget the UNC Asheville men's basketball team picked up a thrilling 104-101 double overtime win over Winthrop before a crowd of 2,732 at Kimmel Arena on Thursday, Feb. 9. Five Bulldogs finished in double figures in the win with two in junior guard Ahmad Thomas and senior forward Will Weeks acquiring double-doubles. Thomas ended his evening with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Weeks had 14 points and a career-best 12 rebounds and a career-high-tying six assists along with three steals and one block. Asheville junior guard Kevin Vannatta closed out his evening just short of a double-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Senior guard David Robertson had 14 points, two rebounds and one steal in the Bulldog win. Freshman guard MaCio Teague once again showed why he is one of the best freshmen and really best players in the Big South Conference by finishing his night with 24 points, five assists, four rebounds and the one pivotal block. Teague was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line in the game. Senior guard Keon Johnson led four Eagles in double figures with a career-best 40 points to go along with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. As a team, Asheville finished its win shooting 48.6 percent (34-of-70). The Bulldogs were an impressive 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the free throw line. Winthrop closed out its loss to the Bulldogs shooting 55.2 percent (37-of-67) as a team.
ELITE GROUP: With the win over Presbyterian on Thursday, Jan. 26, UNC Asheville head coach Nick McDevitt became just the third coach in Big South history to win at least 15 games in his first four seasons in the league. McDevitt joins Radford's Ron Bradley and Winthrop's Gregg Marshall in the elite grouping.
SURGING TOWARDS 1,000: With his 25 points in the win over Charleston Southern, Bulldog junior guard Ahmad Thomas passed the 900-point plateau. He now has 966 career points.
SANDWICH ARTIST FOR A GREAT CAUSE: UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt recently showed off his Subway Sandwich Artistry skills at the Subway restaurant on 740 Merrimon Ave., Merrimon Square, Asheville, NC 28804. The special appearance by McDevitt at Subway was part of an effort to help raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. Bulldog fans, normal Subway lunch lovers and even some of McDevitt's own players came out to support the tremendous cause during McDevitt's appearance from 12-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Sporting a blue UNC Asheville Adidas polo, a Subway hat and his own personal Subway nameplate, McDevitt by the conclusion of his time at Subway even had people ringing the bell at the end of the line to denote he had made a perfect sandwich. The efforts towards helping this cause are definitely still ongoing as donations can still be made at checkout at local SUBWAY® restaurants through Feb. 28 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the local Coaches vs. Cancer program. The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Locally, the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association has joined the effort to promote healthy living, raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer. For more information on Coaches vs. Cancer, visit www.cancer.org.
ZILLI BLOCK PARTY: Giacomo Zilli tied his career high with three blocks in the win over Radford. Zilli also had three blocks in an 87-48 win over Johnson & Wales at Kimmel Arena on Nov. 19, 2014.
ESPNU TO TELEVISE UNC ASHEVILLE-GARDNER-WEBB: ESPNU has selected the UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb men's basketball contest scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 as its Big South Wildcard Selection broadcast, it was announced by the Big South Conference office. Game time will be 9 pm ET inside Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, N.C. Robert Lee (play-by-play) and Nate Ross (analyst) will handle the call from courtside. "We are extremely thankful to have the opportunity to once again be able to highlight our program on national television," UNC Asheville head men's basketball coach Nick McDevitt said. It will be the second regular-season meeting between the squads, as Asheville prevailed in overtime, 90-85 back on Dec. 31. Bulldogs' freshman MaCio Teague led all scorers with 25 points, while David Robertson added 23. GWU was led by Jamaal Robateau and LaQuincy Rideau with 16 points each. The UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb game is the fourth and final Big South ESPNU Wildcard broadcast this season. The 2016-17 campaign marked the fourth consecutive year that four regular-season Big South contests appeared on ESPNU.
ZAXBY'S FOWL SHOT: UNC Asheville fans are always strong and vocal behind their team during Bulldog basketball games, but in the second half of home games the rest of this basketball season their enthusiasm for the Bulldogs could mean free Zaxby's. The new Zaxby's "Fowl Shot" promotion kicks in after the under-12 minute media timeout during Bulldog basketball games. For the final 12 minutes of the Bulldog basketball games if a visiting player misses both free throws during a trip to the free throw line a voucher after the game will be handed out to all fans in attendance where they will receive a free Chicken Nibbler courtesy of Zaxby's. The vouchers from Zaxby's must be redeemed within 48 hours at any Zaxby's location.
AMONG THE BEST: Already the single-season program record holder in the category, Ahmad Thomas is currently tied for third in the country in total steals with 80. He is fifth in the country in steals per game with 3.08 steals per outing. Thomas with his five steals in the win over Charleston Southern on Feb. 1 became the first Big South player with back-to-back 70-steal campaigns since VMI's Chavis Holmes (2006-08). He is just the fourth overall in Big South Conference history to accomplish the impressive feat. Currently second in the league in steals, Thomas is trying to become the first player to lead the league in steals in consecutive years since Radford's Javonte Green (2013-15).
NEARING 1,000: Junior guards Ahmad Thomas and Kevin Vannatta are both nearing 1,000 points. Currently, Thomas has 966 career points, while Vannatta has scored 851 in his Bulldog career. Asheville senior guard David Robertson is also closing in on 1,000 points in his career as he currently has 859 points in his four-year career.
IT'S A STEAL: The UNC Asheville men's basketball team boasts one of the top defenses in the entire country with the Bulldogs fourth in the country in total steals (246). The Bulldogs are also sixth in the country in steals per game (9.46).
UP NEXT: UNC Asheville men's basketball welcomes Presbyterian to Kimmel Arena for a 7 p.m. Big South Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
QUOTABLES
"Longwood is playing with a short bench due to some unfortunate injuries and illnesses on their team, but they do have some talented players and their starters are all talented and they are capable of beating anyone in this league. For us, coming off an emotional double overtime win and then having a quick turnaround it will be a challenge for us to put the Winthrop game behind and focus on the next game." - Head Coach Nick McDevitt
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