GAME PREVIEW: UNC Asheville vs Tennessee State

GAME DETAILS

ASHEVILLE THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE CONTESTS

The Bulldogs started with two road losses but bounced back with two home wins, including a dominant victory over Bryan and a home-opener win against Lipscomb.
In the Bulldogs' lone game last week, Asheville fell on the road in a tight battle versus Western Carolina. After a back-and-forth second half, the score was tied at 73–73 with 21 seconds remaining. With one second on the clock, Western Carolina hit a go-ahead three-pointer, giving them the lead. Western Carolina then converted four free throws to lock up the win.

Team Leaders

Justin Wright is averaging 18.0 points per game through the first five contests. Wright is leading the league with a 64.6 field goal percentage. Wright leads the team with 10 3-pointers and 16 assists.
Kameron Taylor follows Wright, averaging 16.2 points per game and leads the team alongside Wright with 16 assists. Taylor is second on the team in blocks with three and is averaging 5.2 rebounds per game.
Toyaz Solomon is averaging 13.8 points per game. He leads the team, averaging 6.2 rebounds per game, seven steals, and eight blocks.
The team overall is averaging 76.4 points per game while allowing 73.2.

A LOOK AT TENNESSEE STATE

Tennessee State is 2-3 and is coming off a 60-89 loss at Tennessee last Thursday (Nov. 20).
The Tigers are looking for their first Division I win, as both of TSU's wins are against non-Division I opponents.
The Tigers are led by first-year head coach Nolan Smith, who graduated from Duke in 2011 and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers 21st overall in the 2011 NBA draft.
TSU is led through five games by Aaron Nkrumah, who is averaging 18.6 points per game. He is averaging 5.6 rebounds per game, has 15 assists, and 12 steals. He's followed by Travis Harper II, who is averaging 16.6 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, has 14 assists, and four blocks. Harper leads the team with 12 3-pointers. The Tigers' leading rebounder is Jalen Pitre, who is averaging seven boards a game.
The Tigers are averaging 87.2 points per game.
The Tigers are currently on game three of a seven-game road stretch.

SERIES HISTORY

Tuesday marks the second all-time meeting between TSU and UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs lead the series 1-0 after a 92-74 win at the Gentry Center on Dec. 1, 2024.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

A LOOK AT ASHEVILLE'S REMAINING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

After Tuesday's contest in Kimmel Arena, Asheville will face App State on Nov. 30 and UNC Greensboro on Dec. 2 in the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Downtown Asheville. Tickets for both contests can be purchased here.
Asheville has only two remaining road contests, with the Bulldogs traveling to NC State on Dec. 6 and UAB on Dec. 21.
Asheville has four non-conference games in Kimmel Arena in December, starting with Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 10, St. Thomas on Dec. 13, Kentucky Christian on Dec. 16, and Morris College on Dec. 18.

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