NCAA Men’s Basketball: UNC Asheville vs. Appalachian State

UNC Asheville has signed a contract to play a two-game series in men’s basketball with mountain rival Appalachian State, the two athletic departments announced on Tuesday (August 8).

The two schools will begin the series on December 21, 2023 at Catawba Valley Community College’s Tarlton Complex in Hickory, N.C. before playing a game at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on November 14, 2024.

“We are excited to start this series with an old rival like Appalachian State,” said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mike Morrell. “They are very well coached and will have another outstanding team. We look forward to challenging our team vs. a high caliber program.”

Riding the wave of momentum from the historic 2022-23 campaign where it broke the school record for wins (27), went a perfect 13-0 at Kimmel Arena and captured both the Big South Regular Season and Tournament titles, Asheville will return four starters from last season including Big South Conference Preseason Player of the Year, Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Tournament Most Valuable Player Drew Pember.

Appalachian State, which went 16-16 last season, is slated to have a veteran squad of its own with 70 percent of its scoring returning to the court for the 2023-24 campaign.

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