University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Tennessee State
GAME PREVIEW: Men’s Basketball Begins December at Tennessee State
11.30.2024 | Men's Basketball
GAME DETAILS
- UNC Asheville (2-3) vs. Tennessee State (3-5)
- Sunday, December 1, 2024
- 2 p.m. EST
- Nashville, Tenn. || Gentry Center
- Live Stats
- Tickets
- *Sunday's contest will not be live streamed*
LAST TIME OUT
Tomorrow will mark the Bulldogs' first game in a week, as Asheville's last outing was in Conway, Arkansas, in a multi-team event where they faced Southeast Missouri State and Central Arkansas. On Friday (Nov. 22), the Bulldogs defeated SEMO 72-64, with Josh Banks leading the way with 23 points and Toyaz Solomon recording the team's first double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
On Sunday (Nov. 24), Asheville lost to Central Arkansas 83-92 in double overtime. Fletcher Abee matched his career-high in 3-pointers with nine triples to finish with 27 points, and Solomon recorded his second consecutive double-double with 15 points and boards. Solomon's efforts over the weekend and in Asheville's win against North Florida on Monday (Nov. 18) helped him get Big South Conference Player of the Week.
SEASON LEADERS
Banks leads Asheville with 16.6 points per game through five games and is second on the team with a .409 3-point shooting percentage. Abee and Banks both have 18 3-pointers, but Abee leads with a .462 shooting percentage. Abee is third in scoring, averaging 13.4 points a game. Solomon leads the team with 8.8 rebounds per game and is second with 15.4 points. Jordan Marsh is the final Bulldog averaging double-digit points with 12.6 per game. He leads the team with 16 assists.
A LOOK AT THE TIGERS
Tennessee State is on a three-game losing streak. Their last outing was the Coke Classic Nov. 25-26 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where they lost to Chattanooga and Bryant.
Brandon Weston leads the Tigers, averaging 18.1 points, and is second on the team in rebounds, averaging 5.9, and steals with 12. Justus Jackson leads the team with 31 assists and 18 3-pointers and is second with 11.6 points. Carlous Williams also averages 11.6 points; the final Tiger, who averages double-digit points, is Aaron Nkrumah, who has 10.7. Nkrumah leads the team with 17 steals. The Tigers' leading rebounder is Ahmir Langlais, averaging 6.9 per game.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Sunday's contest will be the first time the two teams have ever faced each other.
|
2024-25 Season |
AVL |
TSU |
| Scoring Average | 74.8 | 84.9 |
| Opp. Scoring Average | 84.6 | 76.0 |
| Scoring Margin | -9.8 | 8.9 |
| FG Percentage | .403 | .463 |
| 3PT Percentage | .346 | .292 |
| FT Percentage | .632 | .618 |
| Rebounding Average | 39.8 | 46.9 |
| Assists Per Game | 13.0 | 14.4 |
| Steals Per Game | 4.6 | 7.3 |
| Blocks Per Game | 3.2 | 3.8 |
EARLY DECEMBER SCHEDULE
Asheville will have one more road contest following tomorrow's game before the Bulldogs' home opener on Dec. 7. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Asheville will travel to George Mason. The Athletic Department will be hosting a watch party on Tuesday at Salt Face Mule, with the game starting at 7 p.m.
Asheville's home opener on Dec. 7 will be against St. Andrews in Kimmel Arena at 2 p.m. The 2024-25 season marks the 60th Anniversary of the men's basketball program competing as a four-year institution. St. Andrews is the only team the Bulldogs faced during the 1964-65 season. All men's basketball alumni are invited to attend the game and celebrate the occasion. Men's basketball alumni can RSVP by contacting Tyler Ferris at tferris@unca.edu. The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a "Retro Rocky" clear bag.
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