University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men’s Basketball completes first official practice
09.28.2021 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Tuesday marked the first official practice for the UNC Asheville Men's Basketball team.
The Bulldogs, who tip off their season on November 9 at UAB, are coming off a COVID-impacted 2020-21 season which saw them go 9-5 in conference play and host a Big South Quarterfinal game for the first time since 2018. Asheville returns 10 lettermen and four starters from last season, welcoming four newcomers to the 2021-22 squad.
"I thought their energy and their juice was really, really good. I think that comes with the first day of practice," said head coach Mike Morrell of Tuesday's practice. "The challenge now becomes can you have that a week from now, two weeks from now?"
Unlike last season, the team has been able to have offseason workouts and team functions prior to Tuesday's first official practice.
"I think there's just a deep appreciation from being able to be around each other earlier on," Morrell said of the difference between this year and last. "I think we've got a group that enjoys being around each other, but they're really competitive as well. It's been nice to be able to gather these guys and build that chemistry.
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A reminder that basketball season tickets are on sale now. If you can't make it to a game, all home and road conference matchups can be seen on ESPN+, with weekday home games beginning at 6:30 p.m. and weekend games will starting at either 2:00 p.m., or 4:30 p.m. (subject to TV changes).
