Preview: Charleston Southern at UNC Asheville

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Two Big South Conference men’s basketball teams seeking momentum for the postseason will meet Saturday when the UNC Asheville Bulldogs host the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Kimmel Arena.

The matchup features teams with nearly identical records. UNC Asheville enters at 14-15 overall, while Charleston Southern sits at 13-16. Both squads have experienced recent struggles, making this a pivotal game for seeding in the upcoming conference tournament.

Charleston Southern arrives after a draining 107-96 double-overtime loss to Longwood on Feb. 21, a game in which guard A’lahn Sumler recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Sumler has been on a remarkable offensive surge, averaging 22.0 points over his last four games. His supporting cast includes Lase Olalere, who had 17 points and seven rebounds in the Longwood game.

The Buccaneers won the season’s first meeting, 86-83, at home on Jan. 3.

UNC Asheville comes in with some confidence after a 77-71 road victory at Gardner-Webb on Thursday. The Bulldogs have shown resilience, winning an overtime thriller against Radford, 74-73, on Feb. 21 before the Gardner-Webb win. However, consistency has been an issue, as evidenced by a 74-48 loss at High Point on Feb. 19.

The Bulldogs will look to counter Sumler with a balanced attack. Key contributors include Kameron Taylor, Toyaz Solomon and DJ Patrick, who helped secure the recent road win.

With the regular season winding down, Saturday’s contest is critical for both teams to improve their standing. Charleston Southern will rely on Sumler’s hot hand, while UNC Asheville will aim to protect its home court and even the season series.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Asheville.