Maryland (8-4) @ UNCG (2-10)

When: Sunday, January 3 1* pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic

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UNCG Athletics Preview

* The game time has been moved up from 2 pm (as printed on the season tickets) to 1 pm to accommodate TV.

Spartan Notes:
- On Thursday night, UNCG went to the locker room at halftime only being down 4 points. A strong second half by NC State prevented any thoughts of an upset, though. The Wolfpack won 89-67. Ben Stywall led UNCG with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
- Maryland is the sixth (and last) ACC team that the Spartans will face this season. This game also marks the last out of conference game for UNCG as well.
- With the New Year's Eve loss to NC State, UNCG's home record fell to 0-6.
- According to RealTimeRPI, UNCG strength of schedule is 33. Even though the Spartans record is 2-10, they are still 195 in the RPI ranking.
- Stywall (12.3 pts & 9.5 rebs) and Brandon Evans (12.3 pts & 6.0 rebs) lead UNCG in scoring and rebounding. Kyle Randall leads in assists (2.3).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 38.9% from the field, 30.9% from behind the arc and 70.5% from the free throw line.

Terrapin Notes:
- Last time out, William & Mary handed Maryland their first home loss of the season, 83-77. Greivis Vasquez scored 26 and Landon Milbourne had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
- This game will mark only the third true road game of the season for Maryland. Chaminade (W79-51) & Indiana (W 80-68) were the other two.
- Including Wednesday's game against William & Mary, Vasquez has scored over 20 points in 4 straight games.
- Vasquez leads the Terrapins in scoring (16.8) and assists (6.2). Three other Maryland players (Milbourne, Sean Mosley & Eric Hayes) also average scoring over 12 points per game. Jordan Williams leads the team in rebounding (8.0).
- For the season, Maryland is shooting 47.9% from the field, 35.8% from behind the arc and 69.2% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
An NBA level guard and a team that shoots very well, make a bad combination for the Spartans. Vasquez seems to have torched teams for a lot of points and still hand out a ton of assists. The Spartans will have to do a tremendous defensive job on him to have any chance. Also, UNCG will have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball. Hopefully, the Spartans can again take advantage of second chance points. Maryland hasn't been a particularly good rebounding team this season.

Three tough games in the span of 7 days may have taken their toll of UNCG, but I still wouldn't be surprised the see UNCG hanging tough in the end.

Go Spartans !!!