Basketball season has now officially arrived for the Alabama Crimson Tide, as the program gets set to begin their run to the Final Four on Monday when the program hosts the UNC Asheville Bulldogs to open the 2024-25 season.
The season-opener for both teams, Alabama will be a massive favorite over UNC Asheville on Monday night, especially with this game being at home. However, just what are the Bulldogs bringing to Tuscaloosa to face the No. 2 ranked team in the nation?
Here is everything you need to know about the UNC Asheville Bulldogs:
UNC Asheville Bulldogs Team Overview
- Team Name: UNC Asheville Bulldogs
- Conference: Big South
- Arena: Kimmel Arena, Asheville, North Carolina
- 2023-24 Record: 22-12 overall (12-4 in Big South)
- Ranking: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs are a member of the Big South Conference that finished last season at 22-12 overall, as well as 12-4 in conference play. UNC Asheville is also two years removed from one of the greatest seasons in the program’s history in which they made a NCAA Tournament appearance at 27-8 overall.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Mike Morrell
- Assistant Coach: Neil Dixon
- Assistant Coach: Woody Taylor
- Assistant Coach: Justin Levine
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Mike Morrell, who will be entering his seventh season at UNC Asheville. Morrell holds a combined record of 95-88 as the head coach at UNC Asheville, as is coming off back-to-back 20+ win seasons.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs 2023-24 Stats
- PPG: 78.9 (No. 51 in NCAA)
- PPG Allowed: 73.1 (No. 218 in NCAA)
- FG%: 46.5
- 3P%: 36.5
- FT%: 74.2
- RPG: 34.8
- APG: 15.7
- SPG: 6
- BPG: 4.3
The Bulldogs were a solid offensive team a year ago, finishing nearly in the Top 50 nationally in points per game at 78.9, and was also one of the nation’s top free throw shooting teams, ranking No. 11 with an average of 17.4 makes per game. UNC Asheville however was not necessarily as good defensively allowing 73.1 PPG to opponents.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs Names to Know
- Josh Banks, Guard – Fifth-Year Senior
- Fletcher Abee, Guard – Fifth-Year Senior
- Toyaz Solomon, Forward – Senior
- Jordan Marsh, Guard – Sophomore
- Sage Tolentino, Forward – Redshirt Sophomore
UNC Asheville’s roster is headlined by a pair of returning double-digit scoring guards from last season in Josh Banks and Fletcher Abee, both of which are fifth-year seniors. The Bulldogs also added a few transfers this past offseason, a list that includes guard Jordan Marsh from Appalachian State.