Sunday, February 28, 2010

Georgia Southern (9-21) @ UNCG (6-22)

When: Monday, March 1 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None

Ga Southern Athletics
Ga Southern Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Tonight will be the last home game for seniors Ben Stywall, Mikko Koivisto, Pete Brown, Kendall Toney, Montel Smith and Mike Hardiman.
- Last time out, a Brendan McKillop 3 pointer with 27 seconds to play broke a 56-56 tie between UNCG and Davidson. The Wildcats went on to win 60-56. Kendall Toney led UNCG with 16 points. Kyle Randall added 15 points and Brian Cole had 14.
- Tonight's game will determine UNCG's seed for the Southern Conference tournament in Charlotte. If the Spartans win, they will be the 4th seed form the North Division. A loss would send them down to the 5th seed.
- Ben Stywall is leading the team in points (14.0) and rebounds (10.3). Kyle Randall is averaging 9.4 points and a team best 2.5 assists.
- For the season, UNCG is shooting 38.3% from the field, 29.4% from behind the arc and 70.3% from the free throw line.

Eagles Notes:
- With a win tonight, Georgia Southern will pull into a tie with Furman for 5th place in the South Division. The two teams have split their games against each other and have identical records ageist all the teams in their division. As a result, the teams will be seeded based on their RPI ranking (from RealtimeRPI). If the Spartans defeat the Eagles, GSU will be the 6th seed in the south and Furman the 5th.
- Tonight is the first and only meeting between UNCG and GSU. Last year, the teams split their two games with each team winning on the other's home floor.
- The Eagles enter tonight's game having won 3 of their past 4 games.
- Even though the Eagles have a record of 9-21, 2 of their wins have came against non-D1 opponents. GSU defeated Arkansas-Ft. Smith and Reinhardt earlier in the season.
- Willie Powers leads the team in scoring (14.8) and assists (5.4). Rory Spencer leads the team in rebounds (4.4).
- For the year, GSU is shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.4% from behind the arc and 67.8% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
It's senior night and the last game for the season at the Greensboro Coliseum. I will be there and will be very loud. I hope that there are a lot of other loud people there with me.

Go Spartans !!!

Late 3 Pointer Sinks Spartans

UNCG 56 - Davidson 60

News & Record
Charlotte Observer
UNCG Athletics
Davidson Athletics

Brendan McKillop hit a 3 pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining and then kept the Spartans from getting a good look of their own to win on their Senior Night. Kendall Toney led the UNCG with 16 points.

Positives
- Turnovers --- UNCG has given the ball away too many times throughout the year. Against a good Wildcat defense, UNCG had a season low 6.
- Freshmen --- Kyle Randall continues to play well in the second half of the season. Randall had 15 points and a surprising 7 rebounds. Brian Cole played extended minutes and really made the most of them. Cole scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting.

Negatives
- Ben Stywall --- Ben has been one of the best players in Southern Conference. However, he was saddled with foul trouble all night and only managed 1 point and 3 rebounds.
- Rebounds --- When UNCG hasn't rebounded well, the results have been poor. Davidson out rebounded UNCG by 10.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

UNCG (6-21) @ Davidson (14-14)

When: Wednesday, February 24 7 pm
Where: Belk Arena (5,223)
TV None

Davidson Athletics
Davidson Forum

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Spartans Snap Skid

UNCG 59 - Citadel 53

News & Record
Charleston Post & Courier
UNCG Athletics
Citadel Athletics

UNCG won it's first televised game this season as Ben Stywall led the charge. Stywall scored 19 points and added 14 rebounds.

Positives
- Defense --- UNCG changed defenses often and it kept the Citadel completely off balance. The Bulldogs repeatedly looked confused as they shot long contested 3 pointers.
- Rebounding --- The Spartans pounded the Citadel on the boards, 41-24. The outscored them in second chance points 14-6.

Negatives
- Free throws --- UNCG only made 15 of 23 attempts (65.2%). This game could have been a run away if the Spartans had just made a few more at the charity stripe.
- Shooting % --- The Spartans have not shot the ball well all season. This game was no exception. UNCG was 20-50 (40%) from the floor, including 0-6 on 3 pointers in the first half.

UNCG (5-21) @ Citadel (15-12)

When: Saturday, Februaary 20 1 pm
Where: McAlister Field House (6,000)
TV: SportSouth, ESPN.com 360, ESPN Full Court

Citadel Athletics
Citadel Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG couldn't overcome a slow start and fell to Elon 70-65. Ben Stywall led UNCG with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Mikko Koivisto added 19 points for the Spartans.
- Today's game marks a return to TV for UNCG. The Spartans have had 4 games televised so far this season. This is their first appearance on SportSouth.
- The Spartans have now dropped 5 straight games. With a 4-11 conference record, they now sit in 6th place in the North Division. However, UNCG is only one game back (in the win column) from being in third place.
- The is UNCG first and only meeting with the Citadel this year.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (10.5). Kyle Randall leads the team in assists (2.7).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 38.2% from the field, 29.4% from behind the arc and 70.4% from the free throw line.

Bulldog Notes:
- Last game, the Citadel had a huge second half and blew out Western Carolina, 73-56. Cosmo Morabbi lead the Bulldogs with 16 points.
- With the win, the Citadel moved to 9-6 in the SoCon. They are in third place in the North Division by 1/2 game over Davidson.
- This is the Bulldogs second straight week playing on SportSouth's "SoCon Saturday" TV game. Last Saturday, they defeated Elon 77-72.
- The Bulldogs have now won 5 straight games.
- Cameron Wells leads the Citadel in points (17.5), rebounds (5.6) and assists (4.1). Zach Urbanus is averaging 11.2 points.
- For the year, the Bulldogs are shooting 41.7% from the field, 35.5% from behind the arc and 71% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
Every game is a must win at this time. If UNCG wants to have a decent seed in Charlotte, they need to get on a roll now. In two games last year, the Spartans played the Bulldogs close. I expect this one to be no different. If UNCG can find the rebounding touch it seems to have lost, then good things can happen.

Go Spartans !!!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Recap of the Week

UNCG 70 - Western Carolina 75

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
WCU Athletics

This game was a deja vu game for most UNCG fans sitting in the Greensboro Coliseum. Play poor in the first half. Make a furious second half run. Run out of gas at the end. However, this one played out a little different. The Spartans played very good second half defense, but just couldn't get a rebound at the end of a possession. Western Carolina had 22 offensive rebounds which turned into 22 second chance points. Kyle Randall scored 20 points (18 in the second half) had 9 rebounds and 3 assists for UNCG. Ben Stywall added 12 points and 9 rebounds.

UNCG 65 - Elon 70

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

The game in Alumni Gym was the mirror opposite of the one played just a few weeks earlier in the Greensboro Coliseum. Elon shot out to a big lead in the first half, only to have to hang on in the second. UNCG just couldn't get over the hump. The Phoenix used a balanced attack as four different players scored in double figures. Meanwhile for the Spartans, 2 players carried almost all of the load. Ben Stywall had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Mikko Koivisto added 19 points on six 3 pointers. The loss snapped a streak of 7 straight UNCG wins over its backyard rival.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Western Carolina (18-8) @ UNCG (5-19)

When: Monday, February 15 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None

WCU Athletics
WCU Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG went cold late and lost to App 75-69. Kyle Randall lead UNCG with 18 points. Mikko Koivisto scored 16.
- UNCG now sits at 4-9 in conference play. With a win tonight, UNCG would jump to 3rd place in the North Division.
- A UNCG loss would eliminate the Spartans (as well as Samford and Elon) from contention for a bye in the upcoming Southern Conference tournament.
- The Spartans have lost 3 straight games.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (10.5). Randall is averaging 9 points and a team best 2.5 assists.
- For the season, UNCG is shooting 37.8% from the field, 28.1% from behind the arc and 71% from the free throw line.

Catamount Notes:
- Last game, Davidson made a second half charge and defeated Western Carolina at the Ramesy Center. Harouna Mutombo lead WCU with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
- The Catamounts defeated UNCG 79-69 in Cullowhee on January 14. Ben Stywall lead UNCG with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jake Robinson led WCU with 19 points and 5 rebounds.
- A win would eliminate all WCU challengers, except Chattanooga, for the second tournament bye for the SoCon Tournament. App State has already wrapped up the other bye from the North Division.
- Robinson lead WCU in scoring (12.3). Mutumbo leads in rebounds (4.9) and Brigham Waginger leads in assists (4.5).
- For the year, WCU is shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.5% from behind the arc and 64.7% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
This is a must win. I don't know how to put it any differently. A loss would put the Spartans out of the running for a bye, another 20-loss season and another home loss. With a week to prepare, I expect to see a fresh Spartan team come out and play with pride and passion.

Go Spartans !!!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Attendance Numbers

Home Attendance Numbers & percentage of seats filled (out of 7,617)

Clemson - 5,672 (74.4%)
East Carolina - 2,231 (29.2%)
College of Charleston - 2,383 (31.2%)
Princeton - 2,079 (27.2%)
Wake Forest - 4,716 (61.9%)
NC State - 5,072 (66.5%)
Maryland - 3,297 (43.2%)
Wofford - 1,565 (20.5%)
Furman - 1,979 (25.9)
Chattanooga - 2,632 (34.5%)
Samford* - 1,854 (79.9% of 2,320)
Elon - 3,338 (43.8%)
App State - 4,198 (55.1%)

Average (excluding Samford game)
3264 (42.8%)

I think we can definitely call this a success for season #1 in the coliseum. I'm especially proud considering how many of these games were played without the students in session. Plus this seasson we didn't get the help of having a Davidson playing here and bringing their sizable triad alumni base to the coliseum.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Recap Action

Massive apologies for getting so far behind blogging. I've had the flu this week and it has really kicked my ass. Today is the first day in a while that I've had the energy to sit at the computer. So, let's get to looking at the last couple of games.

UNCG 59 - Wofford 77

News & Record
GoUpstate.com
UNCG Athletics
Wofford Athletics

I didn't get to see or hear any of the game because I was out of town. From the look of things on the stat sheet, UNCG really wasn't too competitive in this game. Wofford shot 57.7% from the floor. Ben Stywall lead UNCG with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Kyle Randall scored 10.

UNCG 69 - App State 75

News & Record
Winston-Salem Journal
Watauga Democrat
UNCG Athletics
App State Athletics

In a very close game, it was UNCG that went cold at the end. The Spartans managed to hit just one field goal over the last 7 minutes and App State surged ahead to the win. Kyle Randall continued his good play as of late by scoring 18 points. Mikko Koivisto added 16 points, but shot just 3-13 behind the arc to get those points. The Spartans defense did a good job on App State guard Donald Sims. However, they were forced to put him at the free throw line at the end of the game, where he is almost automatic. UNCG did a solid job of holding on to the basketball (7 turnovers). However, the Mountaineers out rebounded the Spartans 35-25 and got several big offensive rebounds when the game was on the line. Ben Stywall did not make a single shot from the floor.

Because of a scheduling quirk, UNCG won't play again until next Monday. The Spartans will host Western Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

UNCG (5-17) @ Wofford (16-8)

When: Saturday, February 6 7 pm
Where: Benjamin Johnson Arena (3,500)
TV: None

Wofford Athletics
Wofford Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (10.5). Kyle Randall leads in assists (2.5).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 37.9% from the field, 28.4% from behind the arc and 70.7% from the free throw line.

Terrier Notes:
- Noah Dahlman leads Wofford in scoring (17.6). Tim Johnson leads the team in rebounds (7.1) and Brad Loesing leads in assists (3.3).
- For the season, Wofford is shooting 43.1% from the field, 33.6% from behind the arc and 66.9% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
Between having to paint and all this weather playing havoc with my power and internet connections, I'm happy to at least get this much of a preview done. Wofford spanked UNCG earlier in the year at the Greensboro Coliseum. That game really wasn't much of a contest. Let's see if the Spartans come out with some fight this time.

Go Spartans !!!

Spartans Throw Away Huge Lead

UNCG 64 - Furman 72

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
Furman Athletics

UNCG continued it's normal streak of playing one good half and one bad half. This time, however, the guys switched things up. The game looked like it might be a repeat of the one played in Greensboro a couple of weeks earlier as the Spartans ran out to a huge lead. Unlike the game in the coliseum though, UNCG never allowed Furman to come all the way back. This time, the Paladins took the lead and ran with it. Kyle Randall and Kendall Toney hit some shots to make things interesting at the end.

Since this really was 2 separate games in one, I'm going to change up my normal wrap up. Let's look at what went right to get UNCG a big lead, and what went wrong to get them a "L".

UNCG 34 - Furman 17
Kyle Randall really took control of this game early. He was scoring and passing with confidence and running the team like a veteran. The guys were running a very nice looking offense. Toney and Mikko Koivisto took (and made) shots in rhythm. Coach Dement didn't substitute very much and the starters responded by playing well together. The Spartans switched defenses often and really left Furman completely out of sync.

UNCG 30 - Furman 55
The Spartans stopped running any kind of an offense the minute that Furman made a run. They all began trying to individually take the game over. Almost every trip down the floor involved one pass and then a player trying to create his own shot. With the ball not going in the basket, it meant that Furman didn't have to play defense at all. The Spartan defense did very little to stop Furman from getting any shot it wanted. It was really quite painful to watch the second half.

Time to move on.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

UNCG (5-16) @ Furman (10-11)

When: Thursday, February 4 7 pm
Where: Timmons Arena (5,000)
TV: None*

* Game is listed on Channelsurfing.net

Furman Athletics
Furman Forum