University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Richmond
11.01.2026 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team officially tips off its 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2, as the Bulldogs travel to Richmond, Va., to take on the Richmond Spiders.
Monday's contest marks the sixth consecutive season the Bulldogs have opened their campaign away from home, as Asheville looks to begin its ninth season under head coach Mike Morrell on a high note.
GAME DETAILS
- Game 1
- UNC Asheville (0-0) vs. Richmond (0-0)
- Monday, November 2, 2026
- 7 p.m.
- Richmond, Va.
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
SEASON OPENERS
UNC Asheville begins its 2026-27 campaign on the road for the sixth consecutive season, traveling to Richmond for Monday night's season opener.
The Bulldogs last opened a season at home during the 2020-21 campaign.
Asheville will return to Kimmel Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for its home opener against Erskine at 7 p.m., marking the first of 15 scheduled home contests during the regular season.
A LOOK AT RICHMOND
Monday's contest marks the first meeting between UNC Asheville and Richmond since Dec. 29, 1997. The Spiders are a member of the Atlantic 10 and went 15-17 last season. Richmond returned six individuals from last year's roster and welcomed 10 newcomers to the program.
In preseason exhibitions, Richmond went 0-2, falling to Virginia 96-53 and JMU 90-81.
PRESEASON PREDICTION
UNC Asheville was selected to finish fifth in the Big South Conference preseason poll, finishing just 11 points behind fourth-place Longwood, who the Bulldogs defeated in the quarterfinal of the 2026 Big South Conference Championship.
RETURNING ALL-FRESHMAN TALENT
The Bulldogs return a pair of Big South All-Freshman Team selections in Daniel Thomas and Myles Mayfield, who both made significant contributions during their first seasons at Asheville.
Thomas emerged as a key presence in the paint during conference play, earning 17 starts throughout the 2025-26 season. He started all but three Big South contests, averaging 3.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in league action while recording 10 blocks.
Mayfield appeared in every game during his freshman campaign, averaging 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest while adding 11 blocks.
Both Thomas' and Mayfield's physicality and presence on the boards provided valuable depth for the Bulldogs throughout the 2025-26 season.
NEW FACES IN ASHEVILLE
The Bulldogs welcome nine newcomers to the roster for the 2026-27 season, including six transfers and three freshmen. All six transfers have at least two years of experience at other institutions.
MORRELL ENTERS NINTH SEASON
Head coach Mike Morrell enters his ninth season leading the UNC Asheville men's basketball program.
Under Morrell's leadership, the Bulldogs have recorded at least eight Big South Conference victories for seven consecutive seasons and have advanced to the conference semifinals for fourth straight years, just one of 22 programs nationally to accomplish the latter feat.
Morrell is the active winningest coach in the Big South and enters the 2026-27 season with 131 career victories, ranking 13th all-time in Big South Conference history.
For an additional preview at this upcoming season from Morrell's perspective, click here.
2025-26 SEASON STATISTICAL COMPARISON
|
Category |
Asheville |
Richmond |
| Scoring Offense | 73.4 | 76.7 |
| Scoring Defense | 72.9 | 73.9 |
| Scoring Margin | 0.5 | 2.8 |
| FG Percentage | .456 | .447 |
| FG Pct. Defense | .444 | .442 |
| 3PT Percentage | .349 | .364 |
| FT Percentage | .687 | .753 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 34.8 | 33.1 |
| Assists Per Game | 11.0 | 14.1 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 12.1 | 9.7 |
| Steals Per Game | 5.4 | 7.0 |
| Blocks Per Game | 3.6 | 2.3 |
UP NEXT
Following Monday's season opener, the Bulldogs return to Asheville for their home opener against Erskine on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. inside Kimmel Arena.
The contest is part of UNC Asheville's basketball opening doubleheader, with the women's team tipping off against Clinton at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets for the doubleheader are available for $5 for K-12 students and $11 for adults.
After Wednesday's home opener, Asheville will host Mountain Rivals Western Carolina University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
BULLDOGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To stay updated with Asheville men's basketball throughout the 2026-27 season, follow the Bulldogs on 𝕏.
