The Citadel vs UNC Asheville Odds and Picks (Dec. 1)

Odds as of November 30th, 2021.

Rudy Fitzgibbons scored a team-high 20 points as The Citadel outscored South Carolina State 14-2 in overtime of Sunday’s victory, allowing no field goals in 10 attempts. Six players scored in double-figures for Baucom in his return to the sideline after a scary moment against the Duke Blue Devils that saw the head coach collapse early in the first half.

Meantime, Coty Jude came off the bench to score 19 points to lift UNC Asheville to a 70-point victory over the Blue Hose. Morrell’s squad is looking for its second win over a Division I school Wednesday at home an is undefeated (2-0) when scoring at least 100 points this season.

The Dog in Me

The Citadel enters Wednesday’s outing with a burst of confidence after that win over South Carolina State. The Bulldogs knocked off an ACC team (Pittsburgh) in the season opener, then got destroyed by another ACC team (Duke) 107-81 that is now the No. 1 team in the country. Sunday’s victory has the Bulldogs buzzing.

Looking back at Sunday's OT Dub!#EmbraceThePace pic.twitter.com/Rj4OUGa4os

— The Citadel Basketball (@CitadelHoops) November 29, 2021

Senior Hayden Brown is Baucom’s go-to guy, leading the team in points (17.2) and rebounds (8.3), while ranking second in assists (3.3) per game. A First-Team All-SoCon selection last season, Brown led the league in rebounding and ranked second in scoring. He’s an athletic forward who can score from anywhere and bully weaker opponents to the cup. He’s also capable of putting up jaw-dropping stats.

Baucom’s motto is “Embrace the Pace,” and freshman wing Jason Roche has quickly become comfortable with the Bulldogs’ frenetic style. He’s second on the team in scoring (13.7) and third in rebounds (4.5). His lightning quick release has been on display so far this season. Meantime, Fitzgibbons is coming off that fantastic outing Sunday and brings experience. He shot 42% from distance last season and has gone 41% beyond the arc so far in 2021-22.

The Citadel does most of its damage in transition. Instead of of stopping opponents, the idea is to simply outscore them. The Bulldogs are rated as the 57th team in tempo by KenPom and are in the top-45 in three key offensive categories: effective field goal percentage (21st), 3-point percentage (38th) and 2-point percentage (41st). If The Citadel is “on” from a shooting perspective, UNC-A could be in for a long night.

UNC Nothin’ Yet

The only Division I program Coach Morrell’s club has defeated so far this season is Tennessee Tech. After that come a pair of victories over NAIA schools and three loses by no less than 19 points to UAB, Chattanooga and North Carolina. Alas, the Bulldogs are coming off an ego-building demolition of St. Andrews.

The boys came to play tonight! Check out the #MomentsOfTheMatch from a dominant performance against St. Andrews.#ALLinAVL | #IWWD pic.twitter.com/ORXgPvu6I2

— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) November 29, 2021

The Bulldogs don’t feature any double-digit scorers, but do have six players averaging between 8.0 and 9.8 points per game. Junior guard Jamon Battle heads up the group, putting up nearly ten points an outing and leads the team in rebounding (4.7) a night. “Doc” plays a big role as one of Morrell’s primary disrupters defensively — typically guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter threat  So, the freshman Roche will have his hands full.

Jamon Battle with the jam!! @UNCAvlMBB holds a 35-31 advantage at the half! pic.twitter.com/FCyzPIn2I5

— Asheville Athletics (@UNCAvlBulldogs) November 27, 2020

LJ Thorpe — another 6-foot-5 guard — is Morrell’s queen on the chessboard, a do-everything, position-less unicorn of sorts. He technically plays the 4 but he’s more of a point forward on the offensive end.

UNC Asheville likes to apply full-court pressure. If it can stymie The Citadel from outside (UNC-A is rated as the 24th best team on defense against 3-point percentage by KenPom), this group has a legitimate chance to pick up a home win.

The Pick

The Citadel is no great shakes defensively. Meanwhile, UNC Asheville leaves plenty to be desired from an offensive execution standpoint.

Duggar appears to have the edge when it comes to roster talent, though. This is a group that knocked off the likes of Wofford and Chattanooga last year and has already taken down Pitt this season. On the flip side, UNC-A’s balance is intriguing — with Battle and Thorpe being very suitable players.

Will their pressure be enough to contain The Citadel, though? I say no. I’m going with talent in this spot,.

Pick: The Citadel moneyline (-110)