UNCG (1-4) @ Samford (2-5)

When: Saturday, Dec 5 2pm
Where: Pete Hanna Center (5,000)
TV: None

Samford Athletics
Samford Forum

UNCG Athletics Preview

Spartan Notes:
- The Spartans have had a week off since losing to East Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum. Two 14-2 runs (one in the first half & one in the second) doomed UNCG. Two freshmen, Kyle Randall (13 pts) and Korey VanDussen (13 pts), led a fierce second half comeback before ECU went on it's decisive second half run.
- VanDussen and Kendall Toney enter this game as the only 2 Spartans sporting positive assist-to-turnover ratios.
- Ben Stywall is leading UNCG in scoring (11.6) and rebounding (7.2). Randall leads UNCG in assists (2.4).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 38.7% from the field, 32.4% from behind the arc and 66.3% from the free throw line.

Bulldogs Notes:
- Last time out, Samford held Elon to just 26% shooting and won it's first conference game 55-31. Josh Davis lead Samford with 12 points.
- Samford is averaging just 13 turnovers a game.
- Josh Davis leads Samford in scoring (12.6). Trey Montgomery leads in assists (3.1). Jeffery Merritt leads in rebounding (4.7).
- For the season, Samford is shooting 46% from the field, 38.8% from behind the arc and 64.2% from the free throw line.

My thoughts:
Regardless of what has happened so far this year, this is the first conference game. It's on the road and against a division opponent. While a win sounds unlikely, it would be really sweet. Also, it would be a great time to send a message to the rest of the SoCon that this is not the same UNCG team from last year.

Hopefully, playing the Princeton offense 3 times last year (Samford twice, Princeton once) will help with the preparation for this game. Also, the SoCon did UNCG a favor by not making this one of those wonderful Thursday/Saturday trips to Chattanooga and Birmingham.

Go Spartans !!!

UPDATE: I just realized (30 minutes after the game was complete) that this preview didn't finish loading. I'm sorry everyone. I have been fighting a cold all week and I'm just now on the road to recovery. I'll be better with this going forward.