It’s a non-conference matchup on the hardwood as a member of the Sun Belt travels to the Bluegrass State to face a member of the ACC. The Appalachian State Mountaineers are on the road as they make the trip to face the Louisville Cardinals Tuesday night. Appalachian State comes in off a 79-74 overtime win over North Carolina Central Thursday night in their previous contest though they failed to cover the line as a six-point favorite. Louisville was beaten 73-72 at home by Wright State, losing outright as a five-point favorite Saturday. These schools have met just once as Division I opponents, with Louisville rolling to an 80-53 victory at home on November 23, 2009.
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Appalachian State had a tougher time against North Carolina Central than they did in their season opener but managed to earn the overtime victory nonetheless to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Mountaineers now head on the road to face a Power Five program looking to continue that early season momentum. Against North Carolina Central, Appalachian State led by seven early only to trail by five at the half. The Mountaineers trailed by nine with just over eight minutes to play before taking a five-point edge with 1:15 to play in regulation before ending up in overtime. Appalachian State opened the OT period with an 8-2 run to take a 72-66 lead and didn’t let the Eagles closer than three after that. The Mountaineers shot 40.6% from the field, including 12 of 32 from three-point range, and held North Carolina Central to 39.7% shooting in the game. Tyree Boykin led Appalachian State with 20 points in the loss.
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The Mountaineers put up an average of 110.5 points per game this season, which puts them 3rd in the nation in scoring offense. Appalachian State pulls down an average of 45 rebounds per contest (25th) while dishing out 22.5 assists a night. The Mountaineers are a dismal 263rd in the country in scoring defense as they allow 74 points per game. Tyree Boykin leads the team with 17 points per game this season and is one of five players averaging in double figures this season. Terence Harcum (15 points, 3.5 assists), CJ Huntley (13.5 points, six boards), Donovan Gregory (11 points) and Christopher Mantis (11 points) have been solid secondary scorers. Xavion Brown, Tamell Pearson, Justin Abson, Dibaji Walker and Carvell Teasett are all rotation pieces for coach Dustin Kerns. Appalachian State shoots 49% from the field on the year as a team. The Mountaineers drain an average of 13.5 threes per game while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc this season. Appalachian State is a good team at the free throw line in the early going, ranking 19th in the nation as they connect on 81.8% of their chances at the line.