News Summary
Basketball fans are gearing up for a thrilling matchup as the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs face off against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on February 6, 2025, in a nationally televised game on ESPNU. The game, moved to a later date and time, promises an electric atmosphere as UNC Asheville aims to leverage their recent success in the Big South standings. This head-to-head encounter marks the third meeting in the ESPNU Wildcard series, where previous matchups have been closely contested. Will Gardner-Webb reclaim victory or can UNC Asheville maintain their momentum?
Exciting Matchup: Gardner-Webb vs. UNC Asheville on ESPNU!
Get ready, sports fans! In the bustling city of Asheville, a thrilling basketball showdown is just around the corner. The men’s basketball game between the *Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs* and the *UNC Asheville Bulldogs* has been selected for an ESPNU Wildcard Broadcast on February 6, 2025. That’s right! Mark your calendars because this is one match you won’t want to miss!
New Game Date and Time!
The game, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, will now tip-off at 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 6. Fans will get a great view of the action at the Kimmel Arena, which promises an electric atmosphere as the local team looks to shine on national television.
A Look Back at ESPNU’s Wildcard Series
For those who aren’t familiar, this matchup will be the 17th ESPNU Wildcard game for UNC Asheville since this exciting series began 12 years ago. Last season, UNC Asheville didn’t host any games but did manage to snag an away victory against Winthrop in January with a solid score of 82-77.
Going back a bit further, during the 2022-23 season, UNC Asheville hosted two ESPNU games at home, winning both convincingly—54-46 against Longwood and 89-63 against High Point. It seems the arena really motivates the players when the cameras come rolling in!
A Head-to-Head Showdown
As for the head-to-head record, neither team has dominated this series. The upcoming matchup is the third meeting in the Wildcard series, and so far, Gardner-Webb has won the previous two encounters back in 2017 and 2022. However, the most recent clash on January 22, 2025, saw the UNC Asheville Bulldogs take home a victory with a score of 61-53. With this fresh win under their belt, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their momentum!
Standings and Stats
As of the latest updates, UNC Asheville leads the Big South standings with a record of 6-1 in conference play and an overall standing of 15-6. They’re currently on a hot five-game winning streak and have garnered attention from various polls, receiving votes in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 for three of the last four weeks. Impressive, right?
When it comes to stats, UNC Asheville ranks first in turnover margin at an eye-catching +6.86 and second when it comes to scoring, averaging 84.4 points per game. Big kudos go to Jordan Marsh, who leads in scoring with an impressive average of 23.7 points per game.
The Challenge for Gardner-Webb
On the flip side, Gardner-Webb is currently tied for fifth place in the conference with a record of 3-4. They’ve faced some narrow losses recently, with three of those four defeats being by single digits. In the earlier contest against UNC Asheville, Gardner-Webb displayed solid defensive skills, limiting UNC to their lowest point total in Big South play with 61 points.
Darryl Simmons II stood out during that game with a game-high of 18 points, making him one to watch in the forthcoming clash. Gardner-Webb is also leading in field goal defense in the conference, allowing just 42.8% shooting.
The ESPNU Wildcard Tradition
The ESPNU Wildcard series has created a grand stage for collegiate basketball over the past 12 years. With a total of 55 games in the books, it has become a fan favorite. Home teams have an advantage with 35 wins out of 55 games overall, and many matches are closely contested, with over half decided by single digits!
So, as excitement builds for this pivotal matchup, both teams will be bringing their A-game to Kimmel Arena. Will UNC Asheville continue its strong run, or will Gardner-Webb rise to the occasion and claim victory? One thing is for sure—basketball fans are in for a treat on February 6!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Basketball Showdown: Lions Fall to the Blues
UNC Asheville Bulldogs Prepare for SC Upstate Spartans Showdown
Additional Resources
- UNC Bulldogs News
- Gardner-Webb Sports News
- CBS Sports
- Washington Post Sports
- Wikipedia: College Basketball
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
