University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, January 21
Asheville, NC
2 pm
UNC Asheville
vs
USC Upstate
Men’s Basketball Returns Home to Kimmel Arena to Host USC Upstate on Saturday
01.20.2023 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Riding a season-high five-game winning streak, the UNC Asheville men's basketball team will return home to host USC Upstate on Saturday at Kimmel Arena. Saturday's game, which is presented by TD Bank, is scheduled for 2 p.m. tip-off on ESPN+.
Gameday Information
Kimmel Arena Gameday Policies
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 570 WWNC AM
Follow: Live Stats
Tickets
Promotions: It is another Camper Reunion & Youth League Game on Saturday. Former campers and youth basketball players get in free with a paying adult when they purchase tickets at the ticket window. TD Bank, who is sponsoring Saturday's game, will be giving away mini basketballs and free popcorn.
Last Time Out – Asheville downed Charleston Southern on the road by a score of 73-63 on Wednesday night. With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 14-6 overall and 6-1 in Big South play.
Stellar Start in Big South Play – The 6-1 start by Asheville in conference play marks the program's best seven-game start to league action since 2015-16. If the Bulldogs knock off USC Upstate on Saturday, it'll be the best eight-game start since 2011-12 when Asheville went a perfect 8-0 in its first eight Big South games.
Pember Putting Up Numbers – Senior Drew Pember continues to be a stat machine for the Bulldogs in 2022-23. Pember currently leads the Big South in scoring average (19.2 PPG), rebounding (9.7 RPG), and blocks (54). If Pember can maintain the top spot in scoring and rebounding through the end of the season, he'll be the first player since VMI's Stan Okoye in 2012-13 to lead the Big South in both scoring and rebounding in the same season. No player in Big South history has led the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocks in the same season.
Defending Home Court – Entering Saturday's game vs. USC Upstate, Asheville is the lone Big South team to be undefeated at home this season (7-0). The Bulldogs are aiming to start 8-0 at home for the first time since 2017-18. The 2017-18 Bulldogs would begin their home slate 12-0.
About USC Upstate – The Spartans will bring a 9-9 overall record and a 4-3 mark against Big South foes with them to Kimmel Arena on Saturday. Upstate, which edged out Presbyterian 61-60 on Wednesday, is led by the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year Jordan Gainey. Gainey is averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game and is shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range this season.
Series Rewind vs. USC Upstate – Asheville and Upstate have met a total of 12 times over the years with the Bulldogs winning eight of those matchups. Since the Spartans joined the Big South for the 2018-19 season, Asheville is 4-2, which includes a 83-56 road win in Spartanburg.
Gameday Information
Kimmel Arena Gameday Policies
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 570 WWNC AM
Follow: Live Stats
Tickets
Promotions: It is another Camper Reunion & Youth League Game on Saturday. Former campers and youth basketball players get in free with a paying adult when they purchase tickets at the ticket window. TD Bank, who is sponsoring Saturday's game, will be giving away mini basketballs and free popcorn.
Last Time Out – Asheville downed Charleston Southern on the road by a score of 73-63 on Wednesday night. With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 14-6 overall and 6-1 in Big South play.
Stellar Start in Big South Play – The 6-1 start by Asheville in conference play marks the program's best seven-game start to league action since 2015-16. If the Bulldogs knock off USC Upstate on Saturday, it'll be the best eight-game start since 2011-12 when Asheville went a perfect 8-0 in its first eight Big South games.
Pember Putting Up Numbers – Senior Drew Pember continues to be a stat machine for the Bulldogs in 2022-23. Pember currently leads the Big South in scoring average (19.2 PPG), rebounding (9.7 RPG), and blocks (54). If Pember can maintain the top spot in scoring and rebounding through the end of the season, he'll be the first player since VMI's Stan Okoye in 2012-13 to lead the Big South in both scoring and rebounding in the same season. No player in Big South history has led the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocks in the same season.
Defending Home Court – Entering Saturday's game vs. USC Upstate, Asheville is the lone Big South team to be undefeated at home this season (7-0). The Bulldogs are aiming to start 8-0 at home for the first time since 2017-18. The 2017-18 Bulldogs would begin their home slate 12-0.
About USC Upstate – The Spartans will bring a 9-9 overall record and a 4-3 mark against Big South foes with them to Kimmel Arena on Saturday. Upstate, which edged out Presbyterian 61-60 on Wednesday, is led by the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year Jordan Gainey. Gainey is averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game and is shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range this season.
Series Rewind vs. USC Upstate – Asheville and Upstate have met a total of 12 times over the years with the Bulldogs winning eight of those matchups. Since the Spartans joined the Big South for the 2018-19 season, Asheville is 4-2, which includes a 83-56 road win in Spartanburg.
Players Mentioned
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