Their Greensboro, Their Game

UNCG 79 - NC A&T 90

UNCG Athletics
NC A&T Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 30 - NC A&T 42

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Kayel Locke (22)
Leader Rebounds: Locke, McNeil, Armstrong (tied - 9)
Leader Assists: Derrell Armstrong (2)
Team FG: 22-71 (31.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-29 (17.2%)
Team FT: 30-40 (75.0%)
Rebounds: 50
Turnovers: 18

NC A&T Stats
Leader Points: LaMont Middleton (24)
Leader Rebounds: Austin Witter (10)
Leader Assists: Powell, Middleton (tied - 2)
Team FG: 24-50 (48.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 8-21 (38.1%)
Team FT: 34-47 (72.3%)
Rebounds: 38
Turnovers: 21

Thoughts
Well ... let's start by stating the obvious. That was ugly and it took forever to finish. It was a disaster. UNCG played very poorly. NC A&T came out with a passion and controlled the game from the middle of the first half to the finish. They wanted this game. The Spartans took 21 more shots than the Aggies. They out rebounded them by 12 and forced them into 21 turnovers. Those are winning team stats. So, why wasn't this game a win?

Don't be fooled, UNCG made a couple of chip shots at the end to get above 30% shooting. I was thoroughly shocked at the number of layups UNCG missed on the night. I stopped counting in the second half when it got to 7. The Spartans have to take better shots (see: 29 3-Pt attempts) and have to make those shots.

Also, UNCG has got to stop opponents from getting what ever looks they want when they are on offense. It seems like there are so many breakdowns on every defensive possession that everyone is out of place by the end.

I did like the play of Kelvin McNeil and Kayel Locke. I think Locke has the potential to be something really special during his time at UNCG. McNeil has really brought some toughness to the floor every night and it's something that the team truly lacks right now.

At this point, it's time for the Spartans to get together and decide how this season is going to play out. SoCon play starts on Saturday with a game they can win. But they have to get on the same page and go win it. It would be a shame to see so much promise go to waste so fast.

UPDATE: Can we now do away with that stupid "Our Greensboro, Our Game" saying? It seems a little inappropriate right now.

NC A&T (2-5) @ UNCG (1-4)

When: Wednesday, November 28 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None/Spartan All-Access

NC A&T Athletics

UNCG Stats
Last Game: Rutgers (L 87-80) Recap
PPG: 78.8
RPG: 38.8
APG: 14.6
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (20.8)
Leader Rebounds: Kelvin McNeil (8.0)
Leader Assists: Drew Parker (4.4)
FG %: 44.2
3 Pt %: 35.7
FT %: 66.7

NC A&T Stats
Last Game: Jacksonville State (L 50-54 OT) Recap
PPG: 59.0
RPG: 35.7
APG: 10.3
Leader Points: LaMontMiddleton (12.1)
Leader Rebounds: Austin Witter (6.1)
Leader Assists: LaMont Middleton (2.7)
FG%: 37.1
3 Pt%: 22.6
FT %: 69.9

Thoughts
NC A&T has played a mostly road schedule and has struggled. The stats show that. It really doesn't matter, though. The last 2 years the Aggies have absolutely wanted this rivalry game. Not only have they won these games, but they have manhandled the Spartans in the process.

Last season's game was a mess. The Spartans were blown out. In the aftermath, players started attacking fans on Twitter and the result basically got the coach fired. UNCG was probably the favorite last year and is probably the favorite this year. However, UNCG hasn't shown the ability to win a close game and had faded when the game was on the line.

As a die hard Spartan fan, its hurt to type paragraphs like those last two. But both are 100% true. What I hope to see on the court Wednesday night is a team that is loose, excited, enthusiastic and (most importantly) a team that is ready to grab this game and own it!

Go Spartans !!!