Summer School: UNC Asheville

A look at other Big South programs because how else are we going to pass the time?

Last Year: 23–10 (15–3)

It looked like all season that we were headed for another Winthrop-Asheville showdown to decide the conference. Winthrop took round one at home with a three point win and Asheville squeaked out a 104–101 double overtime victory in the second stanza.

The trilogy was almost a guarantee until Campbell’s Chris Clemons shocked UNCA in their first game of the Big South Tournament and dropped 51 points in a 81–79 defeat. Asheville did continue to play in the CIT but couldn’t get the taste of that awful defeat out of their mouth after losing to UT Martin in the tournament’s first round.

That’s the bad news for Bulldog fans, the good news? Everyone not named Will Weeks and David Robertson is back for Asheville. Perhaps the most surprising roster move in the Big South this summer was UNCA’s ability to keep MaCio Teague, a ferocious freshman who averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Many thought he’d go the way of previous Asheville stars like Andrew Rowsey, Dwayne Sutton, Dylan Smith, and others.

Also back is legitimate Conference Player of the Year candidate Ahmad Thomas and his 18 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3 steals per game. Thomas may be the most all-around player in the Big South and he’s helped by outside threat Kevin Vannatta who excelled last season with a career high 3.3 assists per game. Vannatta is a steady presence the backbone of the Bulldogs’ success over the past couple of seasons.

Beyond the “big three” that Asheville brings to the table, they’ll be searching for renewed depth from Alec Wnuk and Raekwon Miller. They’ll also get a boost from 6'8 College of Charleston transfer Donovan Gilmore, who actually started 21 games for the Cougars his freshman year and posted 5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

On the freshman side of things, keep an eye on Jalen Seegars. The Longwood coaching staff was very high on the 6'5 guard and he has the ability to be an impact player right off the bat. Asheville beat out Winthrop, Monmouth, Vermont, High Point, and others for his services. He’ll be joined by a pair of guards in Taijon Jones and Leonard Thorpe.