Big South foes will collide when the UNC Asheville Bulldogs (18-10) challenge the Liberty Flames (12-17) at Kimmel Arena. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 25.
The Bulldogs are hoping to rebound after their 81-80 loss to Winthrop in their last matchup. Kevin Vannatta was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points. The Flames, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 79-73 loss against Presbyterian in their last game. A.C. Reid led the team in scoring with 18 points.
The ineffective offense of the Flames (268th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 101.0) will attempt to infiltrate the elite defense of the Bulldogs (25th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 95.9). The matchup on that end of the floor seems to lean toward UNC Asheville.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Bulldogs winning the first matchup 76-69. Ahmad Thomas had a stellar game with 27 points, nine rebounds, two assists, seven steals, and one three-pointer.
Notes
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs have a defensive rating of 95.9 (ranked 25th), while the Liberty Flames have an offensive rating of 101.0 (ranked 268th).
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs average a field goal percentage of 45.5% this season. The Liberty Flames have a subpar record of 4-13 when opponents have a FG% of 45.5% or greater.
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs rank higher based on their field goal percentage (103rd) than their effective field goal percentage (168th). The Liberty Flames rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (34th) than their field goal percentage (105th).
UNC Asheville, the 96th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 37.8 rebounds per game. Liberty does worse, ranked 348th with 29.7.
The UNC Asheville defense has forced an average TO% of 22.1% this season (ranked 21st). In games where it gives up a TO% of 22% or greater, Liberty has a subpar 4-7 record.
