Monday, March 15, 2010

Opponents & Postseason

Here is a list of 2009-2010 UNCG opponents. Beside of the names are the postseason tournament that they are competing in, if they were invited.

Duke (NCAA)
Va Tech (NIT)
Clemson (NCAA)
USC-Upstate
East Carolina
Samford
Charleston (CBI)
Princeton (CBI)
Akron (CBI)
Richmond (NCAA)
Wake Forest (NCAA)
NC State (NIT)
Maryland (NCAA)
Wofford (NCAA)
Furman
Chattanooga
Western Carolina (CIT)
App State (CIT)
Chattanooga
Samford
Elon
Furman
Wofford (NCAA)
App State (CIT)
Western Carolina (CIT)
Elon
Citadel
Davidson
Ga Southern
Furman
Wofford (NCAA)

17 games (out of 31) against postseason teams.

NCAA = NCAA Tournament
NIT = National Invitational Tournament
CBI = College Basketball Invitational
CIT = CollegeInsider.com Tournament

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Terriers Ends UNCG's Run

UNCG 47 - Wofford 59

News & Record
Charlotte Observer
UNCG Athletics
Wofford Athletics

Saturday, March 6, 2010

#4N UNCG (8-22) vs #1S Wofford (23-8)

When: Saturday, March 6 4:30 pm*
Where: Bojangles Coliseum (9,605)
TV: None/SoConTV.com

* This game is scheduled to start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Western Carolina-Elon game. That game will tip at 2 pm.

- The winner of today's game will advance to take on the winner of the 2 pm at approximately 6 pm tomorrow at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Wofford Athletics
Wofford Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Yesterday, UNCG got the benefit of a mistake by Furman's Amu Saaka. Saaka went for a 2 point basket when the Paladins needed a 3 pointer to tie. Even though he made the basket, the Spartans won 66-65.
-The Spartans have now won 2 games in a row and 3 of their last 4 games.
- The Spartan lost both contests to Wofford this season.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (10.4) . Kyle Randall leads the team in assists (2.6).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 38.8% from the field, 29.2% from behind the arc and 69.4% from the free throw line.

Terrier Notes:
- Last time out, Wofford lead all the way en route to a win over Citadel, 75-66. Noah Dahlman lead Wofford with 18 points.
- Dahlman was named Southern Conference Player of the Year by the coaches. Wofford coach Mike Young was named Coach of the Year by the media and the coaches.
Wofford will get the SoCon automatic bid to the NIT should they not win the conference tournament.
- Dahlman leads Wofford in scoring (17.4). Tim Johnson leads in rebounds (7.8) and Brad Loesing leads the team in assists (3.1).
- For the season, Wofford is shooting 44.1% from the field, 35.2% from behind the arc and 67% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
UNCG has got to continue to survive and advance. The Spartans haven't played well against Wofford this season. Hopefully, they will this time.

Go Spartans !!!

Spartans Survive and Advance

UNCG 66 - Furman 65

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
Furman Athletics

Amu Saaka apparently didn't get the memo that the Paladins needed a 3 pointer to tie the game. Saaka drove the length of the court and dunk the ball with less than a second left in the game. The Spartans inbounded the ball to win by a point. The Spartans advanced to pay Wofford on Saturday. The Terriers watched the entire game in person at the Bojangles Coliseum.

Positives
- Welcome back Brandon --- Brandon Evans was absent on Monday and has spent the last half of the season in a less featured role. However, his 13 first half points really seemed to spark UNCG to take command early in this game.
- Freshmen are growing up --- I thought all 3 freshmen made big plays down the stretch. Brian Cole had a big 3 pointer and Kyle Randall made a huge steal and 3 point play. I was most impressed, though, With Randall and Korey VanDussen's desire to have the ball in their hands when UNCG needed made free throws.

Negatives
- For the second straight game, the Spartans need to make better use of their time at the free throw line. A few more made ones would have sown this game up.

Friday, March 5, 2010

#5S Furman (13-16) vs #4N UNCG (7-22)

When: Friday March 5 4:30 pm*
Where: Bojangles Coliseum (9,605)
TV: None/SoConTV.com

* This game is scheduled to start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Davidson-Elon game. That game will tip at 2 pm.

- The winner of today's game will advance to take on Wofford at approximately 4:30 tomorrow in Bojangles Coliseum.

Furman Athletics
Furman Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, the Spartans ran out to a 20 point second half lead, and then had to hold on to defeat Georgia Southern 81-79. It was the final home game of the year. Ben Stywall led UNCG with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
- UNCG finished the regular season tied for 3rd with Chattanooga. However, the Mocs won the tie breaker and are the 3rd seed from the North Division.
- Stywall is trying to be the first Spartan to finish the season averaging a double-double.
-UNCG and Furman split their 2 regular season games this year. Each team won on it's home floor.
- Ben Stywall lead UNCG in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (10.3). Kyle Randall leads in assists (2.6).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 38.7% from the field, 28.9% from behind the arc and 69.3% from the free throw line.

Paladin Notes:
- Furman's rally can up short against College of Charleston on Saturday. The Cougars defeated the Paladins 69-66. Jordan Miller lead Furman with 20 points.
- Furman finished the regular season with a 7-11 conference record. They were 2 games behind the Citadel.
- Amu Saaka leads Furman in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (7.2). Darryle Evans leads the team in assists (3.2).
- For the season, Furman is shooting 41.8% from the field, 35.5% from behind the arc and 71.7% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
It's win or go home. I'd sure rather see G win.

Go Spartans !!!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Spartans Hang On For Win

UNCG 81 - Ga Southern 79

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
GSU Athletics

The Spartans built a 20-point second half lead,but still had to survive a furious Eagle comeback attempt. The game was over until Kyle Randall stole a desperate pass just as the final buzzer sounded. It was the 4th straight win for UNCG on Senior Night. The win put the Spartans in a tie fro 3rd in the North Division, and gave them the #4 seed from the North in this weekend's Southern Conference Tournament.

Positives
- Ben Stywall --- After having a very disappointing game at Davidson last Wednesday, Ben responding with a career high 30 points and 11 rebounds. Through a tough season, Ben has been a huge bright spot for this team. If he's not 1st team All-SoCon then the media and coaches all need their heads examined.
- Senior Leadership --- It was the last home game for Ben Stywall, Mikko Koivisto, Mike Hardiman, Kendal Toney and Pete Brown. You could almost sense that they weren't about to let this team lose. In the huddle at every timeout, you could see the guys being very vocal. I for one was very proud of how all of these guys represented our university.

Negatives
- Free throws are free --- With the student section chanting for Mike Hardiman, it would have been nice to just knock down one more free throw. Just one made pair in the last minute would have brought Mike to the scorer's table. Instead, UNCG struggled to make just 10-21 in the second half. Thus, no Hardiman and a nail biting finish.
- 3 Point Shooting --- UNCG struggled to make a 3 in the game against Citadel. They struggled even worse in this game. The Spartans made just 2-15 (13.3%). If this team wants to continue their season in Charlotte this weekend, they'll have to start putting the long ball in the basket at a higher percentage.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Thanks Guys

A big thank you and congratulations to seniors Ben Stywall, Mike Hardiman, Pete Brown, Kendall Toney and Mikko Koivisto. As a Spartan alum, I am proud of the way you have represented the university.

Now having said that, I hope your careers continue on for quite a few more games.