Bulldogs’ Identity Taking Shape in Season’s First Month

ASHEVILLE – It's amazing the difference a season makes.

The words might come across a bit cliché, but in the case of UNC Asheville's men's basketball team, they ring quite true.

The Bulldogs wrapped up the early portion of their nonconference schedule last Thursday at home, setting a program record with 19 made 3-pointers in a 105-69 victory against St. Andrews. With the victory, the Bulldogs finished the month of November with a 3-2 record.

It may not sound like anything astonishing, but a freshman-laden team a season ago didn't pick up its third victory of the season until this calendar year – January 30 to be exact.

There were many trials and tribulations in that first season, as a group of eight freshmen were thrown to the proverbial fire and learned the ropes of Division I college basketball on the fly. Those lessons have taken hold, though, and with a year of experience under their belts and a better understanding of head coach Mike Morrell's expectations, the Bulldogs are beginning to embody what their second-year coach has envisioned.

That identity is one of intensity and relentless effort, forcing their opponents into miscues with pressure defense and getting out on the run on offense.

"We are excited about our ability to improve and get better, but we obviously have a long way to go still," Morrell said. "I think our guys have really bought into our style of play and are starting to understand what it takes to be successful with what we are trying to do."

The most notable difference from a season ago is in the turnover department: the Bulldogs are among the best in the country at forcing them, but they also do yeoman's work holding onto the ball, as they have not turned the ball over more than their opponent in any game this season.

The Bulldogs are currently tied for fifth in the country in turnover margin at plus-8.6 per game, leading the Big South Conference by plus-1.35. They also are in the Top 10 nationally in turnovers forced per game at 21.2, which ranks ninth in all of Division I. In their home opener against Brevard, the Bulldogs forced 31 turnovers, only the second time in at least the past 13 seasons the team has forced its opponent into 30 or more turnovers.

The Bulldogs also rank 19th nationally in steals per game, averaging 10.8 through their first five contests. Redshirt sophomores Lavar Batts, Jr. and LJ Thorpe have been the catalysts in the steals department, ranking second and third in the Big South in steals per game, respectively. Both rank inside the Top 100 in the country in steals per game, as well.

It took time to get to this point, though. It took those eight freshmen (plus then-redshirt sophomore Jeremy Peck, playing his first season in Asheville) to go through a trying season, learn together, and come out with invaluable lessons and experience.

Add in veteran transfers Batts and Jax Levitch to the mix this year with a group of young, yet battle-tested Bulldogs, and there's quite a nucleus to help bring along a trio of talented freshmen this season.

And the results are beginning to shine through, despite the fact the Bulldogs are still one of the 20 youngest teams in Division I, having the 18th-youngest roster according to Ken Pom.

Not only did the Dogs set the program record for threes in their last game, they also eclipsed 100 points for the first time since a double-overtime victory against Winthrop three seasons ago. It was the first time they'd eclipsed 100 points in regulation since defeating Warren Wilson, 117-52, December 10, 2016.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Bulldogs against St. Andrews, marking the first time five Bulldogs scored double digits since five did it in a double-overtime defeat against USC in the NIT, March 13, 2018.

In keeping with the theme of fewer turnovers, the Bulldogs only gave the ball up eight times against St. Andrews, which is the first time the team had fewer than 10 turnovers in a game since the 2016-17 season as well.

As the 2019-20 campaign continues to roll along, it wouldn't be surprising to see this team accomplish more feats that haven't been done in Asheville for some time.

"Our goal remains the same in November as it will be in January and on," Morrell said. "We have to continue to try to be better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today."

The Bulldogs have six more nonconference tilts ahead – three on the road followed by three inside Kimmell Arena to close out the December portion of the schedule. The road games are within driving distance, giving fans an opportunity to support the good guys away from home.

They resume play, Tuesday, December 3 at Charlotte, followed by a Saturday, December 7 matchup at Western Carolina. The team's final nonconference road game will come Wednesday, December 11, at South Carolina State.

Then, they return home for three games before a break for the holidays.

Up first, they'll host a UT Martin team that's faced a tough schedule to open its season, Saturday, December 14. They'll return a few days later for a Tuesday, December 17, contest against Stetson. DeVon Baker set his career high in points last season with 31 against the Hatters on the road.

The Bulldogs will close out the month of December by hosting Chattanooga, Saturday, December 21, in their Blackout Game, as the team will break out a new set of black uniforms against the Mocs.

Kimmell Arena will be the place to be when the Bulldogs are on the floor. They play an exciting, fast-paced brand of basketball, and continue to grow right before our eyes.