Liberty returns to the road with a Saturday afternoon matchup against UNC-Asheville. Can the Flames snap their current 3 game losing skid? Find out in our Asheville Primer.

McDevitt is in his 1st year as head coach

1. Team introduction. Under 1st year head coach and long time assistant, Nick McDevitt, the Bulldogs are 12-11 overall and tied for 1st in the Big South’s South Division with Coastal Carolina at 6-3. UNCA struggled out of the gate to a 1-7 record as they faced tough nonconference opponents such as Kentucky and Duke. Asheville quickly rebounded, and won 5 straight heading into conference play. More recently, the Bulldogs have won their last 2 games against Longwood and Campbell.

2. Offense. Asheville is 4th in the conference in scoring as the Bulldogs score over 74 points per game. UNCA is shooting 44.4% from the field, 8th best in the Big South. The Bulldogs are led by freshman Andrew Rowsey’s 18.7 points per game, good for 6th best in the league. Jaron Lane is 10th in the conference in scoring at 14.3 per game.

3. Defense. Asheville boasts the 2nd best field goal percentage defensive team in the Big South, holding opponents to under 43% shooting from the field. UNCA allows their opponents to score nearly 73 points per game. Asheville also has one of the league’s best big men in D.J. Cunningham. Cunningham is a presence in the paint on defense averaging a league-best 9.8 rebounds per game. He also leads the conference in blocked shots per game (3.56).

4. Player turnover. The Bulldogs had to replace their top 3 scorers from a year ago in Jeremy Atkinson, Keith Hornsby, and Trent Meyer. Atkinson led the team in scoring (17.8) and rebounding (7.1). Hornsby, who transferred to LSU, was 2nd on the team in scoring a season ago averaging 15 points per game. Meyer added 9.7 points per game and a team-best 64 made 3-pointers.

5. Possible starters. A look at the likely starting line-up for the Bulldogs…

Andrew Rowsey

Guard: Andrew Rowsey (#15) – 5’10″ 175 pound Freshman – leads the team in scoring (18.7) and assists (2.5). He’s shooting 42.7% from the field and 41% from 3. Rowsey has 75 made 3-pointers this season. The Lexington, Virginia native is averaging over 30 points per game in his last 3 contests while shooting 26-of-48 (54%) from the field. He’s made 28 consecutive free throws.

Guard: David Robertson (#13) – 6’3″ 185 pound Freshman – is averaging 8.7 points and 2.4 assists per game. He is 2nd on the team with 34 made 3-pointers.

Forward: Jaron Lane (#5) – 6’4″ 185 pound R-Senior – is 2nd on the team in scoring at 14.3 points and rebounding at 5.1 boards per game.

Forward: Sam Hughes (#31) – 6’4″ 205 pound Sophomore – is averaging 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Center: D.J. Cunningham (#33) – 6’10″ 240 pound R-Senior – is averaging 10.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.56 blocks per game.

6. Key reserves. Some other key contributors…

Guard: Corey Littlejohn (#22) – 6’3″ 180 pound Junior – is averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Center: Jaleel Roberts (#45) – 7’0” 225 pound Junior– is averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

7. Prediction. According to teamrankings.com, this is Liberty’s toughest matchup the rest of the season. So, overcoming a 3 game losing streak and losses in 5 out of their past 6 games won’t be easy. Asheville may be the best team in the conference with a star in the making (Rowsey), senior leadership (Lane), and arguably the best big man in the league (Cunningham). UNC-Asheville 76 Liberty 72