University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Bulldogs and Eagles to Renew Rivalry Thursday on ESPNU
01.17.2018 | Men's Basketball
Game Notes
2017-18 UNC Asheville Men's Basketball Media Guide
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (11-8, 4-2 Big South Conference)
Winthrop (9-8, 3-3 Big South Conference)
Location: Rock Hill, S.C./Winthrop Coliseum
Date/Time: Thursday, January 18, 2018/9 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Talent - Matt Schick (PBP), Paul Biancardi (Analyst)
Radio: 880AM/92.9 FM
Talent - Brian Hall (PBP), Mike Gore (Analyst)
Live Stats: uncabulldogs.com
Twitter: uncabulldogs.com #ThePursuit
ROCK HILL, S.C. - ESPNU has selected the UNC Asheville at Winthrop men's basketball contest scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 as its Big South Wildcard Selection broadcast. Game time will be 9 p.m. inside the Winthrop Coliseum. Matt Schick (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) will handle the call from courtside.
"We are excited once again to be able to showcase our program on national television," UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt said. "UNC Asheville-Winthrop is one of the best rivalries in mid-major, and really, all of college basketball. It should be a fun atmosphere."
BULLDOG BITES
Bulldog Breakdown
NEARING 500 BOARDS: UNC Asheville senior guard Kevin Vannatta is nearing 500 boards for his career. He enters the Winthrop game with 497 career rebounds. Vannatta is looking to become the 87th in Big South Conference men's basketball history with 500 rebounds. Vannatta, who already surpassed 1,000 points earlier this season, is also looking to become just the 57th player in league history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.
THOMAS CONTINUES MAKING HISTORY: Ahmad Thomas was already just the fifth player in Big South Conference men's basketball history with over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 steals, but now he is also just the second player in league history with over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 200 steals and 200 assists. Thomas became the second in league history in the win over Longwood. Thomas closed out the Bulldog conference win with 1,329 points, 611 rebounds, 222 steals and 203 assists. Thomas commences the matchup with Winthrop with 1,369 points, 624 rebounds, 224 steals and 209 assists. Thomas also became one of the top-15 scorers in UNC Asheville history with his 21 points in the win over Presbyterian College. He moved into the top-10 in school history in rebounds in the win over Longwood. He is currently second in school history in total steals.
DOMINATING HALF OF PLAY: MaCio Teague's 23 points in the first half against Charleston Southern marked the second time this season and third time in his career that he posted 20 or more points in a single half. Earlier this year, Teague had 20 in the first half in the 82-79 overtime win over Austin Peay on Nov. 19, 2017. Teague also had 24 points in the first half in UNC Asheville's 91-69 Big South Conference road win over Longwood on Feb. 11, 2017.
HOME SWEET HOME: The league win over Charleston Southern allowed the Bulldogs to extend their home winning streak to 17. UNC Asheville is now 76-16 overall and 51-10 against Big South foes within the friendly confines of Kimmel Arena inside the Sherrill Center. The Bulldogs are 8-0 on the 2017-18 season at Kimmel Arena.
AMONG THE TOPS: UNC Asheville is currently in the top-35 in the country and second in the Big South with 8.2 steals per game. The Bulldogs are also in the top-40 in the country in field goal percentage (48.3) and three-point field goal percentage (39.0).
STRONG FROM DOWNTOWN: UNC Asheville shot a season-best 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from beyond the arc as a team in the win over Charleston Southern. The Bulldogs were led by Teague's five treys. Teague now has three games this season where he has connected on five or more three-pointers.
SUBWAY SANDWICH ARTIST FOR A GREAT CAUSE: UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt once again made an appearance as a Subway Sandwich artist to help raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. McDevitt joined Western Carolina head coach Larry Hunter on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Subway at the Oakley Plaza at 801 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC 28803. 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. Donations in any amount can be made at the checkout of participating SUBWAY® restaurants from Jan. 15 through Feb. 28 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the local Coaches vs. Cancer program. Last year, more than $25,000 in North Carolina was raised and they want to raise even more this year. For more information on Coaches vs. Cancer, visit www.cancer.org.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHARITY: UNC Asheville is currently leading the way in the league in the Big South Conference in free throw percentage with the Bulldogs presently shooting .833 as a team in league play. Raekwon Miller is leading the league with a .952 shooting percentage.
To learn much more, please check out the game notes HERE.
Series/About Winthrop
SERIES: The Eagles own a slight 40-35 all-time series advantage, including a 34-30 advantage in regular season meetings. The two teams split the series last year with UNC Asheville picking up a thrilling 104-101 double overtime win over the Eagles at Kimmel Arena on Feb. 9, 2017, and Winthrop taking a 76-73 win over the Bulldogs in Rock Hill on Jan. 19, 2017. Both of the games last year were featured on ESPNU as well.
ABOUT WINTHROP: The Eagles play host to the Bulldogs owning a 9-8 record overall. Winthrop is an even 3-3 in league play. The Eagles are led by preseason all-conference selection Xavier Cooks, who is averaging 16.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Follow it Live
You can watch live on national television on ESPNU and also HERE. You can listen to the radio broadcast HERE. You can also follow via live stats HERE.
Up Next
UNC Asheville men's basketball will next travel to Lynchburg, Va. to take on Liberty at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21. The game will be nationally televised by Stadium. It will be carried locally by WMYA-TV, My 40.
2017-18 UNC Asheville Men's Basketball Media Guide
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (11-8, 4-2 Big South Conference)
Winthrop (9-8, 3-3 Big South Conference)
Location: Rock Hill, S.C./Winthrop Coliseum
Date/Time: Thursday, January 18, 2018/9 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Talent - Matt Schick (PBP), Paul Biancardi (Analyst)
Radio: 880AM/92.9 FM
Talent - Brian Hall (PBP), Mike Gore (Analyst)
Live Stats: uncabulldogs.com
Twitter: uncabulldogs.com #ThePursuit
ROCK HILL, S.C. - ESPNU has selected the UNC Asheville at Winthrop men's basketball contest scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 as its Big South Wildcard Selection broadcast. Game time will be 9 p.m. inside the Winthrop Coliseum. Matt Schick (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) will handle the call from courtside.
"We are excited once again to be able to showcase our program on national television," UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt said. "UNC Asheville-Winthrop is one of the best rivalries in mid-major, and really, all of college basketball. It should be a fun atmosphere."
BULLDOG BITES
Bulldog Breakdown
NEARING 500 BOARDS: UNC Asheville senior guard Kevin Vannatta is nearing 500 boards for his career. He enters the Winthrop game with 497 career rebounds. Vannatta is looking to become the 87th in Big South Conference men's basketball history with 500 rebounds. Vannatta, who already surpassed 1,000 points earlier this season, is also looking to become just the 57th player in league history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.
THOMAS CONTINUES MAKING HISTORY: Ahmad Thomas was already just the fifth player in Big South Conference men's basketball history with over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 steals, but now he is also just the second player in league history with over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 200 steals and 200 assists. Thomas became the second in league history in the win over Longwood. Thomas closed out the Bulldog conference win with 1,329 points, 611 rebounds, 222 steals and 203 assists. Thomas commences the matchup with Winthrop with 1,369 points, 624 rebounds, 224 steals and 209 assists. Thomas also became one of the top-15 scorers in UNC Asheville history with his 21 points in the win over Presbyterian College. He moved into the top-10 in school history in rebounds in the win over Longwood. He is currently second in school history in total steals.
DOMINATING HALF OF PLAY: MaCio Teague's 23 points in the first half against Charleston Southern marked the second time this season and third time in his career that he posted 20 or more points in a single half. Earlier this year, Teague had 20 in the first half in the 82-79 overtime win over Austin Peay on Nov. 19, 2017. Teague also had 24 points in the first half in UNC Asheville's 91-69 Big South Conference road win over Longwood on Feb. 11, 2017.
HOME SWEET HOME: The league win over Charleston Southern allowed the Bulldogs to extend their home winning streak to 17. UNC Asheville is now 76-16 overall and 51-10 against Big South foes within the friendly confines of Kimmel Arena inside the Sherrill Center. The Bulldogs are 8-0 on the 2017-18 season at Kimmel Arena.
AMONG THE TOPS: UNC Asheville is currently in the top-35 in the country and second in the Big South with 8.2 steals per game. The Bulldogs are also in the top-40 in the country in field goal percentage (48.3) and three-point field goal percentage (39.0).
STRONG FROM DOWNTOWN: UNC Asheville shot a season-best 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from beyond the arc as a team in the win over Charleston Southern. The Bulldogs were led by Teague's five treys. Teague now has three games this season where he has connected on five or more three-pointers.
SUBWAY SANDWICH ARTIST FOR A GREAT CAUSE: UNC Asheville men's basketball head coach Nick McDevitt once again made an appearance as a Subway Sandwich artist to help raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. McDevitt joined Western Carolina head coach Larry Hunter on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Subway at the Oakley Plaza at 801 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC 28803. 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. Donations in any amount can be made at the checkout of participating SUBWAY® restaurants from Jan. 15 through Feb. 28 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the local Coaches vs. Cancer program. Last year, more than $25,000 in North Carolina was raised and they want to raise even more this year. For more information on Coaches vs. Cancer, visit www.cancer.org.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHARITY: UNC Asheville is currently leading the way in the league in the Big South Conference in free throw percentage with the Bulldogs presently shooting .833 as a team in league play. Raekwon Miller is leading the league with a .952 shooting percentage.
To learn much more, please check out the game notes HERE.
Series/About Winthrop
SERIES: The Eagles own a slight 40-35 all-time series advantage, including a 34-30 advantage in regular season meetings. The two teams split the series last year with UNC Asheville picking up a thrilling 104-101 double overtime win over the Eagles at Kimmel Arena on Feb. 9, 2017, and Winthrop taking a 76-73 win over the Bulldogs in Rock Hill on Jan. 19, 2017. Both of the games last year were featured on ESPNU as well.
ABOUT WINTHROP: The Eagles play host to the Bulldogs owning a 9-8 record overall. Winthrop is an even 3-3 in league play. The Eagles are led by preseason all-conference selection Xavier Cooks, who is averaging 16.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Follow it Live
You can watch live on national television on ESPNU and also HERE. You can listen to the radio broadcast HERE. You can also follow via live stats HERE.
Up Next
UNC Asheville men's basketball will next travel to Lynchburg, Va. to take on Liberty at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21. The game will be nationally televised by Stadium. It will be carried locally by WMYA-TV, My 40.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballMonday, March 18
Monday, March 18
Thursday, March 14
Monday, March 04