Friday, November 27, 2009

East Carolina (2-4) @ UNCG (1-3)

When: Saturday, Nov 28 4 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None

East Carolina Athletics
East Carolina Forum - Rivals
East Carolina Forum - Scout
Boneyard Banter
Bonesville

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG held off a late rally to defeat USC-Upstate 76-70 in Spartanburg, SC. UNCG got 19 points from Brandon Evans and 17 points from Ben Stywall to lead the charge.
- This game will be UNCG's second in its new home, the Greensboro Coliseum. The Spartans home opener against Clemson drew over 5,000 fans and over 2,000 students. The attendance for the ECU should be down quite a bit considering this game will fall during the students Thanksgiving break.
- This game will be a reunion of sorts. Brandon Evans transferred to UNCG from ECU before last season. Also, Coach Mike Dement is an ECU alumnus.
- UNCG enters this game sporting a top 100 RPI ranking and a strength of schedule rating of 32 according to realtimeRPI.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (13.8) and rebounding (7.8) so far this season. Kyle Randall leads UNCG in assists (2.8).
- On the season, UNCG is shooting 40.6% from the field, 36% from behind the arc and 63% from the free throw line.

Pirate Notes:
-Last time out, ECU came roaring back from a double digit halftime deficit to defeat South Dakota State and take 7th place at the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Jontae Sherrod led ECU with 23 points.
- Saturday's game will be East Carolina's second game of the season in the Greensboro Coliseum. ECU fell to Wake Forest, 89-58, at the coliseum on November 15.
- According to realtimeRPI, the Pirates' RPI is 176 and their strength of schedule is 82.
- Brock Young leads ECU in scoring (14.3) and assists (5.5). Darrius Marrow leads the Pirates in rebound with 6.7 a game.
- For the season, ECU is shooting 45.1% from the field, 33% from behind the arc and 68% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
This game will be a chance for Brandon Evans to show ECU what he can really do on the court. Hopefully, he'll be able to play within himself and not force things.

It appears that ECU has really struggled on the road this season, already dropping a game at Campbell (plus losing their earlier match up at the coliseum). UNCG needs to get up on them early to gain some confidence and to maybe shake any of the confidence that ECU gained by winning their previous game.

Hopefully the Spartans can build on the good things they did in Spartanburg and get it's first home victory.

Go Spartans !!!

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