University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Marshall
Men's basketball visits Marshall on Tuesday
12.21.2020 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team returns to the court on Tuesday, traveling to Marshall to face the Thundering Herd at 6 p.m.
Tuesday will mark the second road game of the young season for Asheville (3-3, 2-0 Big South), who most recently fell 69-66 at Chattanooga (12/16).
The Key is Three
An area Asheville can look to capitalize on is 3-point shooting, with opponents averaging 37.5 percent from behind the arc against Marshall through six games. Just five Bulldogs have knocked down five or more 3-pointers this season, led by Tajion Jones' 21 treys, which ranks No. 1 among Big South players. After struggling in the season-opener, Jones has drained three or more 3-pointers each game this season, leading the Bulldogs with 17.8 points per game. As a team, Asheville is 2-0 when shooting 40 percent or above from 3-point range, going 3-1 when shooting a higher percentage from three this season. Â Â
Bouncing BackÂ
With Asheville looking to get back into the win column, it will need its bench to return to form. Wednesday's loss at Chattanooga marked the first time this season the Bulldogs' bench was outscored by the opponents' reserves. While the team has juggled the starting lineup early on, Coty Jude and Lavar Batts, Jr. have provided a spark off the bench, with Jude hitting nine 3-pointers and Batts dishing out 19 assists and swiping 11 steals. Missing the first two games due to injury, Jude is averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 16.4 minutes per contest. Â
Scouting Marshall
The Thundering Herd are 5-1 so far this season, coming off an 85-71 win over Robert Morris on Sunday. Marshall's offense is led by junior guard Taevion Kinsey, who is averaging 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game through six contests. Six other Thundering Herd players are averaging 6.5 or more points per game, with sophomore guard Andrew Taylor grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game. Marshall, which has had four games altered due to COVID restrictions, has only fallen to Toledo, being edged in overtime 96-87. Entering the week, Marshall was ranked in the top five in the country in blocks per game, averaging 6.5 per contest led by Jannson Williams' 15 swats. Â
Series HistoryÂ
Asheville and Marshall have only met four times in their history, with the Thundering Herd holding a 3-1 advantage all-time. The teams played in the 1999-00 season, with Marshall taking the contest 102-66. Asheville's lone victory over the Thundering Herd came in 1996-97 when it defeated Marshall 83-63.
How to Follow
Tuesday's game will be streamed live on Conference USA TV. You can also listen and follow live stats here.
Game Notes
