Davidson (19-3) @ UNCG (3-17)

When: Thursday, Feb 5 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (23,500)
TV: None/ Spartan All-Access

Davidson Athletics
Davidson Forum

This is the game that every SoCon team is looking forward to this season. Ten SoCon teams get to host the darlings of last year's NCAA tournament. UNCG decided that this would be the first game at the Spartans new home, the Greensboro Coliseum. Judging by the amount of tickets sold, that was a very good idea.

The excitement that surrounds this game is one thing, the game itself is a completely different animal.

Spartan Notes:
- In their last game, the Spartans were held scoreless the 3:52 as the Citadel erased a 4 point deficit and won 66-60. Damian Eargle led UNCG with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
- With Saturday's loss at the Citadel and Elon's win at College of Charleston, UNCG (2-9) now finds itself alone in last place in the North Division.
- The Spartans should be happy that this game is being played at the Greensboro Coliseum and not in Fleming Gym. The Spartans have been traditionally tough to beat in Fleming. This year, however, UNCG has compiled a record of just 1-6 at home.
- It was announced on December 5, 2008 that UNCG would be moving to the Greensboro Coliseum full time starting next season. They will be using a modified setup for seating. This setup will have a capacity of ~7,600.
- Mikko Koivisto Leads UNCG in points (12.4) and assists (2.7). Ben Stywall is averaging 11 points and a team high 9.2 rebounds.
- For the year, UNCC is shooting 39.3% from the field, 29.5% from behind the arc and 66.2% from the free throw line.

Wildcats Notes:
- On Monday night, Davidson raced out to an 18 point halftime lead on Western Carolina and cruised to victory, 89-65. Stephen Curry led Davidson with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
- Monday's win extended Davidson regular season SoCon winning streak to 42. They now trail West Virginia's SoCon record by just 2 games.
- The Wildcats have now won 9 straight games. Their last loss was at Duke (79-67) on January 7th.
- Curry, POY in the SoCon last year, is basically a lock to win the award again this season. He's also very high in the running to be named and All-American and National POY.
- Curry leads Davidson in scoring (28.9) and assists (6.5). Andrew Lovedale is averaging 12.3 points and a team leading 8.9 rebounds.
- For the season, Davidson is shooting 45.1% from the field, 38.2% from 3 point range and 73.3% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
I think Davidson compares favorably with another team that UNCG played earlier in the season, the Dayton Flyers. The difference is that Dayton did not have Stephen Curry. Curry single handily defeated UNCG a year ago at Fleming Gym.

UNCG officials have said that they are expecting over 10,000 people to be at the game tonight. This will not be a home game for UNCG. I expect over half of the crowd to be wearing red, and many other will be there to just see Curry.

UNCG will have to play the perfect game to have any kind of a chance, and even that might not be enough. My hope is that the Spartans give everyone that shows up a fun game to watch and a reason to come back very soon.

Go Spartans !!!

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