'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Appalachian State opens its 2024-25 college basketball season following an impressive 2023-24 campaign. The Mountaineers went 16-2, winning the Sun Belt regular season title, one game ahead of closest pursuers JMU, who captured the Sun Belt Tournament crown.
Unfortunately, Appalachian State was snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee, partly because of its disappointing performance in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Mountaineers were invited in the NIT but were eliminated by Wake Forest in the first round.
Nonetheless, Dustin Kerns and his squad are aiming for a direct bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here's an inside look into the Mountaineers' upcoming campaign, from its biggest games to the players to watch out for:
Trending
Appalachian State's biggest games of the 2024-25 season
Appalachian State will meet at least three NCAA Tournament qualifiers this season, as its non-conference schedule is yet to be finalized.
The Mountaineers will have their first true test on Nov. 10 when they visit Wisconsin at the Kohl Center. The Badgers were given an at-large bid for the tournament, but JMU eliminated them in the first round.
Appalachian State will clash with another NCAA Tournament entry Colgate on Nov. 28 in the second day of the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic at the Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, North Carolina. Colgate, the Patriot League Tournament champions, were ousted by Baylor in the first round of the West Regional.
The third NCAA Tournament entrant Appalachian State will face is JMU, who reached the second round last season. The Mountaineers will clash with the Dukes at home on Jan. 11 and visit them the next week at Harrisonburg.
Top Appalachian players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season
#1 Myles Tate
Myles Tate was one of the key contributors off the bench for Appalachian State last season. The incoming fifth year player, who spent his first three seasons with Butler, averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
The six-foot Tate returns as one of the senior members of the Mountaineers and will likely start as point guard in the 2024-25 season.
#2 Jamil Muttilib
Jamil Muttilib is a transfer pickup out of Kilgore College, where he averaged 19.2 points per game and shot 39% beyond the 3-point line. The six-foot-six guard was named in the All-Tournament Team and a first-team all-conference and all-region selection last season.
Muttilib will likely start at shooting guard or small forward due to his ability to shoot from long range.
#3 Andrin Njock
Andrin Njock is coming off a stint in the Swiss NLB, where he put up 19 points per game and shot 49%. He scored at least 20 points in 10 games and more than 30 points thrice last season.
The six-foot-six incoming freshman was the second-leading scorer for the Swiss National Team at the Under-18 World Championships.
Predictions for Appalachian State's 2024-25 season
Appalachian State will remain a powerhouse team in the Sun Belt Conference despite the departure of its top scorers from last season's squad. The players taken from the transfer portal and high school aren't too shabby, as they could contribute to the Mountaineers' cause this season.
Myles Tate could play a bigger role in the 2024-25 campaign, as he will likely become the team's top playmaker. There could be some moments when Jamal Muttilib or Andrin Njock could show signs of brilliance to help Appalachian State, but it should be Tate handling the big decisions on the court during the season.
A 25-win season should be enough for the Mountaineers to make it through the NCAA Tournament, given the tough competition in the other conferences. However, they must perform well in the Sun Belt Tournament to ensure a March Madness berth and avoid last year's debacle.
Will Appalachian State make the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Let's know your insights in the comments section below:
Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here
