UNC Asheville Men’s Basketball Preview (Nov. 4)

As the 2025-26 college basketball season begins, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs will face the Wichita State Shockers on November 4 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. This matchup marks a significant event, as it is the first meeting between these two teams.

Game Overview

The game will take place at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Fans can tune in via ESPN+ or listen to the radio broadcast on KEYN 103.7 FM. The first 500 students in attendance will receive a complimentary official student section t-shirt.

Historical Context

• This season opener reflects Year 3 under Head Coach Paul Mills at Wichita State.
• The Shockers have never lost to a current member of the Big South Conference, holding a perfect 9-0 record.
• The last meeting against a Big South team was in 2022, when Wichita State defeated Longwood.

Season Start Facts

This season ties the record for the earliest start date in Wichita State’s history. Since 1992, the Shockers have an impressive record of 30-2 in season openers, with an overall 89-29 mark in such games. Historically, they perform exceptionally well in home openers, with a 100-18 record.

Wichita State has also not lost a preseason exhibition game since 2001, and a notable change this year is the absence of a traditional exhibition game due to COVID-19 protocols. Instead, they participated in a charity scrimmage and a closed-door scrimmage, showcasing their readiness for the season.

Team Insights

Wichita State Shockers

The Shockers are entering this season with a restructured roster, returning only three letterwinners from last season. They lost 12 total letterwinners, including their top nine scorers. This has resulted in less than 1% of their scoring returning from the previous year.

• Wichita State is projected to finish fifth in the American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Kenyon Giles received recognition on the American Preseason All-Conference First Team, coming off an impressive season with UNC Greensboro.
• Additional new talent includes Michael Gray Jr. and Brian Amuneke, bolstering their outside shooting.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs

Led by head coach Mike Morrell, the Bulldogs are looking to build on a successful previous season, finishing 21-11 overall. Morrell has recorded a remarkable 70 wins over the last three years and is known for having one of the highest winning percentages in the Big South Conference during that time.

• Asheville was predicted to finish second in the Preseason Big South Poll.
• Key player Toyaz Solomon returns after an impressive season, earning big accolades and recognition as the Preseason Player of the Year.
• Kameron Taylor, a sophomore standout, also joins the ranks of the Preseason All-Conference Team.

Looking Ahead

The game against UNC Asheville not only marks a new beginning for both teams but also sets the stage for the rest of the season. For Wichita State, a victory would extend their successful history and provide a positive start to the campaign. As excitement builds, both teams are eager to make a mark on the court this upcoming season.