University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Campbell
Men’s basketball opens up Big South play at Campbell Wednesday
01.04.2022 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team will open up the 2022 Big South season on Wednesday evening, traveling to Campbell to face the Camels at 7:00 p.m.
The Matchup
Who: UNC Asheville (8-5) at Campbell (7-4)
When: Wednesday (1/5) at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Buies Creek, N.C. – Gore Arena/Pope Convocation Center
How to Follow
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 570 WWNC
Live tracking: Stats
National Ranks
Bolstered by a strong month of December in which he averaged 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.83 blocks per game, Tennessee transfer Drew Pember currently ranks fourth in the country in blocks (49) and blocks per game (3.77). Additionally, both Tajion Jones and Coty Jude eclipsed 200 3-pointers for their career last month, making Asheville just one of seven teams in the nation to have two players with 200 or more 3-pointers at the Division I level. As a team, the Bulldogs rank seventh in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage defense (25.8) and 14th in blocks (75).
Turning the Page
Producing one of its best non-conference seasons in recent history – registering eight wins for just the second time in 14 years – the Bulldogs now turn the page to Big South play. The Bulldogs have steadily improved under Morrell, finishing sixth in the Big South in 2019-20 and fourth last season. Asheville was slated to finish second in the South Division in the Big South Preseason Poll, receiving three votes to win the division.
Scouting the Camels
Selected to finish first in the North Division and receiving eight first-place votes overall in the Big South preseason poll, Campbell sits at 7-4 having dropped its last two contests. Like Asheville, Campbell has not competed since before Christmas, having its last two games postponed and canceled due to COVID protocols within their opponents' programs. On the court, the Camels share some strengths with the Bulldogs, ranking sixth in the NCAA in fewest fouls (147), 11th in fewest turnovers (116) and 13th in fouls per game (13.4). Among conference teams, Campbell ranks first in scoring defense (59.6), free throw percentage (70.3) and defensive rebounding (31.2), checking in at No. 2 in field goal percentage (46.5) and field goal percentage defense (40.2). Campbell is led by Cedric Henderson's 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while Jesus Carralero is scoring 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while dishing out 45 assists and collecting 20 steals.
