Samford (8-10) @ UNCG (4-15)

When: Saturday, January 23 4 pm
Where: Fleming Gym (2,320)*
TV: None

Samford Athletics
Samford Forum

* This game is being played in Fleming Gym due to a scheduling conflict with the Greensboro Coliseum. The doors are set to open at 3 pm and the athletics office is advising people to get there early.

Spartan Notes:
- A 16-0 second half spurt pushed UNCG to a victory over Chattanooga Thursday night in the Greensboro Coliseum. The final score was 62-49. Mikko Koivisto lead the way with 15 points and Ben Stywall had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
- UNCG raised their SoCon recdord to 3-5.
- Last time these 2 teams met in Birmingham, UNCG rolled to a 73-40 victory. It was the first Spartan victory over the Bulldogs since they joined the SoCon.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (13.7) and rebounding (10.1). Kyle Randall leads the team in assists (2.4).
- For the year, the Spartans are shooting 37.8% from the field, 27.5% from behind the arc and 71% from the free throw line.

Bulldog Notes:
- Kaylin Johnson hit a 3 pointer with 17 seconds to life Samford to a win at Elon on Thursday, 50-49. Andy King led Samford with 16 points.
- The Bulldogs raised their record to 2-4 in the Southern Conference. Both wins have came against Elon.
- Samford is in the middle of playing 3 road games in 5 days. UNCG did this same thing last week. However, Samford's trip has already proved more successful as the Spartans failed to win a game on their trip.
- Josh Davis leads Samford in scoring (11.8). Trey Montgomery leads the team in rebounding (4.2) and assists (3.3).
- For the season, Samford is shooting 45.7% from the field, 35.4% from behind the arc and 67.9% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
Just because UNCG beat this team by 33 points in Birmingham, it doesn't mean that they will walk all over them today. The Spartans caught Samford on a night when nothing would go in the basket and the team basically shut down. I'm sure they will be fired up to repay UNCG for the home beating. I expect UNCG to play the same zone defense that they did in the first meeting. If the Bulldogs hit their 3 point shots, this will be a very good game.

Fleming Gym will be packed and electric. I intend to get there as early as possible because of the amount of tickets already sold versus seats in the place. There should be plenty of energy in the place for the Spartans to feed on.

Go Spartans !!!