A Sea Of Red

UNC Asheville Bulldogs
(Last Season: 15-16 overall; 10-8 in Big South, 4th, lost in semifinals of Big South Tournament)

Head Coach: Eddie Beidenbach

Returning Players (with stats from 08-09 season):

F John Williams, jr. (6-4, 215) – 12.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 53.8 FG%, 25.0 3PT% (1 made three), 64.3 FT% - 31.1 min/game

G Matt Dickey, so. (6-1, 180) – 10.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 46.3 FG%, 38.1 3PT% (48 made threes), 81.9 FT% - 23.8 min/game

G Sean Smith, sr. (6-6, 200) – 10.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 40.1 FG%, 45.7 3PT% (74 made threes), 82.1 FT% - 27.5 min/game

G J.P. Primm, so. (6-1, 195) – 9.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg, 40.3 FG%, 32.6 3PT% (31 made threes), 75.9 FT% - 27.6 min/game

C Eric Stubbs, jr. (6-8, 225) – 3.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 51.5 FG%, 0 made threes, 51.9 FT% - 17.0 min/game

G Chris Stephenson, so. (6-3, 200) – 3.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 29.5 FG%, 18.9 3PT% (7 made threes), 68.1 FT% - 12.0 min/game

F Quinard Jackson, so. (6-5, 240) – 2.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 44.9 FG%, 0 made threes, 56.3 FT% - 8.4 min/game

C Sean Hobbs, so. (7-2, 260) – 0.3 ppg, 0.1 rpg, 25.0 FG%, 0 made threes, 0 made FTs – 3.6 min/game – Played in 8 games

Players that are Gone:

F Reid Augst (6-6, 215) – 15.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 47.0 FG%, 30.4 3PT% (31 made threes), 69.7 FT% - 34.7 min/game

F Jason Ridenhour (6-6, 200) – 5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 44.1 FG%, 32.7 3PT% (17 made threes), 44.7 FT% - 21.9 min/game

G Donovan Jones (6-0, 195) – 2.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 35.0 FG%, 37.5 3PT% (3 made threes), 20.0 FT% - 11.4 min/game – Played in 9 games

F Rashad Gill (6-5, 190) – 0.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0 made FGs, 0 made FTs – 4.5 min/game – Played in 2 games

Newcomers:

F Terrence Turner, fr. (6-5, 210) – Redshirted in 08-09
C D.J. Cunningham, fr. (6-10, 240)
G Austin Alecxih, fr. (6-5, 190)
G Jaron Lane, fr. (6-4, 170)
F Jeremy Harn, fr. (6-8, 230) – Walk-on - Redshirted in 08-09
G Madison Davis, fr. (5-10, 160) – Walk-on - Redshirted in 08-09
G Josh Seligson, fr. (6-2, 170) – Walk-on

About the Bulldogs:
UNC Asheville entered last season with plenty of question marks. The Bulldogs had to develop a new backcourt after the graduations of KJ Garland and Bryan Smithson. They also had to cope without 7’7” Kenny George, who was unable to return to the team for his senior season due to medical issues. However, head coach Eddie Beidenbach was able to fill the gaps in the backcourt with a pair of talented freshmen and rely on a solid cast of returnees to finish in the upper half of the standings and bring about plenty of optimism going into this season. The question this season is if the Bulldogs can take the next step and contend for a title.

Much of the optimism that UNCA fans have going into this year stems from the return of three guards that were the catalysts for the Bulldogs’ strong showing last season. It starts with the sophomore point-guard tandem of Matt Dickey and J.P. Primm. Primm started last season strong while Dickey ended they year well, and both were able to admirably fill the void left by Garland and Smithson. Both players can play both guard positions, with Dickey having a stronger outside shot, and Primm appearing to be the better distributor of the ball. Sharp-shooting senior Sean Smith will join Dickey and Primm as the key backcourt weapons going into this season. Smith has been one of the league’s best three-point shooters throughout his career, but became a bigger part of the offense last season, hitting over 45% of his three-point attempts. This guard trio gives the Bulldogs plenty of offensive potency, though they do need to solidify their defense as a unit in order to take the team to the next level. Sophomore Chris Stephenson did not have a great freshman season, but he has the potential to help out at the shooting guard or small forward positions, though he will be challenged for minutes off the bench by freshmen Austin Alecxih and Jaron Lane.

Beidenbach and the Bulldog fanbase can also be optimistic due to junior John Williams’ presence on the court. While his 6’4” height makes it seem like he would be too undersized to be a big-time forward at the Division I level, his athleticism and instincts on the court easily make up for the lack of height. His vertical leap alone allows him to play as if he is 6’8” or taller. Williams’ game looked much more polished last season than it did his freshman year, and further refinement of his jump shot could allow him to be a contender for postseason honors at the end of the year. Unfortunately for UNCA, Williams is the only sure thing in the frontcourt. With Reid Augst graduating, new players will need to emerge in order to give the Bulldogs balance on both ends of the court. Junior Eric Stubbs would appear to be the most likely candidate to be the starting center, but he could be coming off the bench if freshman D.J. Cunningham is ready to step in right away. At 6’10”, 240 pounds, Cunningham has the height and size advantage over Stubbs, so do not be surprised if the freshman gets the majority of the minutes in the post, especially if Stubbs does not become a bit more assertive on the boards. Redshirt freshman Terrance Turner and sophomore Quinard Jackson will add some depth behind Williams or join him on the floor if UNCA isn’t running three guards. Expect Turner to be one of Beidenbach’s favorite weapons off the bench. 7’2” sophomore Sean Hobbs may see a bit more time than he did last season, but he is still likely a year or two away from having much of an impact.

With a core group which includes Dickey, Primm, Smith, and Williams, the Bulldogs will most likely see themselves in the upper half of the standings again. What may keep them from taking the next step and being a true title contender is a lack of experienced depth, especially in the post. While Williams’ athleticism allows him to block shots and get to rebounds that most players his size cannot get to, other players will need to emerge to help him defend the post, score inside, and get rebounds. If those players do emerge, UNCA is capable of taking home a championship. However, I feel like the supporting cast may not be quite strong enough to allow that to happen this season.

My Prediction:
19-10 overall, 12-6 in conference – 4th place finish – lose in semifinals of Big South Tournament

Sounds pretty much on the money.... Early season a lot of us thought they'd be better but some concerns about things seen in practice as well as the loss to a D2 school tonight definitely show that next year is more likely a year UNCA can win conference.

I think cunningham is going to have a big year -- and he looked great tonight. He seems to 'get it' and really was a great pick-up for Asheville, stealing him away from some much better midwest programs that he was leaning towards (like Wright State, a couple MAC schools etc.) Problem is going to be they need stubbs or someone to step up because cunningham can't be on the floor 40 minutes a game, especially as a freshman.

Good analysis though, can't disagree with much of anything said. Tons of potential but -- might still be a year away.

Not a very good loss at all for your program tonight

So this means you have High Point in the top 3, surprising.

jcmanson wrote:So this means you have High Point in the top 3, surprising.

Not to me. Let's go Panth...I mean, Flames.

Kidding, of course, but now that they have a coach who knows what he's doing inside of the gym, and all the talent on that team, they should be like Radford was this past year, and use their returning experience to give them a boost over the rest of the league (except Radford).