UNCG (11-13) @ Elon (12-11)

When: Thursday, February 6 7:00 pm
Where: Alumni Gym (1,585)
TV: None/Streaming

Elon Athletics

UNCG Stats
Last Game: Ga Southern (L 62-64) Recap
PPG: 71.0
RPG: 36.8
APG: 12.5
Leader Points: Kyle Cain (15.7)
Leader Rebounds: Kyle Cain (9.1)
Leader Assists: Tevon Saddler (3.1)
FG %: 44.6
3 Pt %: 35.7
FT %: 67.6

Elon Stats
Last Game: @ App State (W 83-76) Recap
PPG: 76.4
RPG: 33.2
APG: 14.5
Leader Points: Lucas Troutman (15.8)
Leader Rebounds: Lucas Troutman (6.1)
Leader Assists: Austin Hamilton (3.2)
FG %: 47.6
3 Pt %: 39.7
FT %: 72.6

Thoughts
Well, the Spartans have certainly backed themselves into a big corner now. They've lost 4 of their last five and haven't won a road game since beating App State in Boone back on January 9th. Now they are dangerously close to falling out of the bye race and their last 7 games all come against teams ahead of them in the standings.

The Spartans have lately been making a bad habit of not really playing well until it was the absolute last possible minute. It worked last Thursday as they eeked out a win over App State at home. But it didn't work out so well on Saturday against the Eagles of Georgia Southern. Now it's time to go in the worst way possible.

For Elon, they've seriously underperformed to preseason expectations (Spartan fans know how that feels from last year). But they are still in position to finish in the top 4 and have a very manageable schedule from here on out. There is a very real possibility that they only lose one game left on their schedule. If that happens, they should find themselves back in postseason play at some level.

So, this is where UNCG has to make its stand. If they can't find a way to start picking up wins, this season could easily get away from a team that was showing a lot of promise just a few weeks ago. Go Spartans !!!

Exhibition Results

Exhibition results from future opponents.

SoCon Teams
Lenior-Rhyne 57 - Davidson 108 Recap
North Greenville 61 - Furman 85 Recap
Thomas University 49 - Georgia Southern 88 Recap
Lees-McRae 76 - UNCG 104 Recap
Lynchburg 57 - Elon 100 Recap
Miles College 52 - Samford 90 Recap

OOC Teams
Bridgewater 53 - High Point 96 Recap
Arkansas-Monticello 64 - La Tech 85 Recap
Southern Arkansas 49 - La Tech 100 Recap
UNC-Pembroke 63 - UNC-CH 82 Recap
Caldwell 60 - Rutgers 90 Recap
Philadelphia Univ. 69 - James Madison 73 OT Recap
Brevard 66 - Wake Forest 93 Recap
UNC-Pembroke 85 - NC State 96 Recap
Morehouse 62 - NC State 87 Recap

Preseason Preview: Southern Conference

On the eve of UNCG's first game (exhibition against Lees-McRae), it' time to look at the teams of the Southern Conference. My buddy John over at MocsMania has been doing one preview a day written by all of us that contribute to his "Scanning the SoCon" weekly Q&A series. I have decided that as opposed to doing a cookie cutter preview of the whole SoCon, I would post individual links to each of those previews. I am also going to post the preview that I wrote for UNCG in its entirety. Some of the things that John asked us to look at in our previews were schedules, new players and best/worst case scenarios for our teams.

Appalachian State

There's a solid core of six guys right now (Burgess, Neal, Hamilton, Canty, Baskin and Obacha) who will start and probably will be joined by Kobani and the remaining sixth-man guard is up for grabs to make the eight-man rotation. As far as a season overview, App has a really solid chance to finish high up in this conference. Anything less would be a disappointment.

Chattanooga

The conference schedule features just one game against league favorites, Davidson and Elon. It also features just one game against the bottom two in the preseason polls, Georgia Southern and The Citadel. So the conference schedule basically balances out. There are trips to Furman and The Citadel to open SoCon schedule, and home dates with Samford and Wofford. If everything works out, there is a chance for a really fast start in SoCon play.

The Citadel

Clearly, the increase in non-D1 scheduling is partly about trying to fill out a home schedule as a low-major, with the reduction of the SoCon's league schedule to 16 games probably a factor. I do wonder, though, if the conference is trying to "game" the RPI to a certain extent.

Davidson

NCAA rule changes to protect the ball-handler and help the scoring should benefit the Wildcats. They led the nation in free throw shooting last season at 79.5% and should be excellent free throw shooters again.

Elon

With all five starters returning from last year’s squad, Elon has a terrific opportunity to unseat the two-time defending Southern Conference champion Davidson Wildcats.

Furman

The Paladins are a team that is hard to figure, but they are likely better than UNCG, The Citadel and Georgia Southern on paper heading into the season. Look for Furman to start putting things together come March, and though a conference tournament title might be several years away, I wouldn't be shocked if Furman won a game in Asheville once again this season.

Georgia Southern

The two best players on the roster will be redshirting this year and the best player on the floor hasn’t played a game in 2 years. Most likely all 4 signess will see major minutes this year and outside of Dunnican at 6’8 nobody on the roster is over 6’7.

Samford

The much anticipated return game with Kentucky (2 for 1) did not materialize. Apparently the fine print in the contract said "Kentucky State", not University of Kentucky. The out of conference schedule includes (among others) Indiana, Florida Gulf Coast, ETSU and Marquette away and Austin Peay at home.

Western Carolina

Under ninth year head coach Larry Hunter, the Catamounts return five seniors to this years team – Brandon Boggs (guard), Tawaski King (forward), Josh Mendenhall (forward), Trey Sumler (guard) and Tom Tankelewicz (guard). This group of seniors is expected to provide the veteran leadership that was lacking from last season’s team, void of any seniors.

Wofford

The key for the Terriers will be finding more offensive production. A year ago Karl Cochran took about 40% of the teams shots, and was not a particularly great shooter. They need to find a way to create more open looks for Cochran so that his shooting percentage can go up.

If you're not down with the SoCon ...

... I've got 2 words for ya !!!

Spartans Split a Pair of Games in Asheville

UNCG 87 - Chattanooga 81

UNCG Athletics
Chattanooga Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 32 - Chattanooga 43

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Derrell Armstrong (25)
Leader Rebounds: Derrell Armstrong (8)
Leader Assists: Trevis Simpson (5)
Team FG: 29-55 (52.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 11-24 (45.8%)
Team FT: 18-31 (58.1%)
Rebounds: 31
Turnovers: 10

Chattanooga Stats
Leader Points: Z Mason (20)
Leader Rebounds: Z Mason (8)
Leader Assists: Ronrico White (4)
Team FG: 27-55 (49.1%)
Team 3 Pt: 6-20 (30.0%)
Team FT: 21-29 (72.4%)
Rebounds: 34
Turnovers: 10


UNCG 61 - Elon 68

UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 29 - Elon 31

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (16)
Leader Rebounds: Derrell Armstrong (11)
Leader Assists: Van Dussen, Parker (Tied 3)
Team FG: 22-71 (31.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 8-22 (36.4%)
Team FT: 9-16 (56.3%)
Rebounds: 46
Turnovers: 6

Elon Stats
Leader Points: Sebastian Koch (15)
Leader Rebounds: Lucas Troutman (10)
Leader Assists: Sebastian Koch (3)
Team FG: 21-49 (42.9%)
Team 3 Pt: 8-17 (47.1%)
Team FT: 18-26 (69.2%)
Rebounds: 40
Turnovers: 13

Rival Elon Sweeps Season Series

UNCG 66 - Elon 80

UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 28 - Elon 29

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Kayel Locke (13)
Leader Rebounds: Kelvin McNeil (12)
Leader Assists: Derrell Armstrong (4)
Team FG: 23-58 (39.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-19 (26.3%)
Team FT: 15-21 (71.4%)
Rebounds: 30
Turnovers: 10

Elon Stats
Leader Points: Lucas Troutman (25)
Leader Rebounds: Riley Beaumont (9)
Leader Assists: Jack Isenbarger (4)
Team FG: 26-46 (56.5%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-15 (33.3%)
Team FT: 23-28 (82.1%)
Rebounds: 32
Turnovers: 12

Thoughts
Losing to Elon is a trend that I'm getting sick and tired of happening !!!

Saturday Tournament Participants

1N UNCG (12-18)
PPG: 69.9
RPG: 35.7
APG: 11.7
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (18.2)
Leader Rebounds: David Williams (5.2)
Leader Assists: Drew Parker (2.7)
FG %: 40.2
3 Pt %: 33.5
FT %: 68.4

2S Wofford (19-12)
PPG: 64.1
RPG: 33.7
APG: 14.3
Leader Points: Kevin Giltner (15.3)
Leader Rebounds: Lee Skinner (5.7)
Leader Assists: Brad Loesing (5.5)
FG %: 44.0
3 Pt %: 33.8
FT %: 66.7

1S Davidson (22-7)
PPG: 77.9
RPG: 38.9
APG: 13.6
Leader Points: De'Mon Brooks (15.8)
Leader Rebounds: De'Mon Brooks (6.3)
Leader Assists: Nik Cochran (3.6)
FG %: 44.5
3 Pt %: 34.1
FT %: 76.6

2N Elon (14-15)
PPG: 70.4
RPG: 37.2
APG: 13.3
Leader Points: Jack Isenbarger (14.1)
Leader Rebounds: Ryan Beaumont (5.7)
Leader Assists: Austin Hamilton (3.0)
FG %: 41.8
3 Pt %: 35.7
FT %: 67.2

Spartan Skid Continues

UNCG 79 - Elon 93

UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 30 - Elon 39

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (22)
Leader Rebounds: Derrell Armstrong (8)
Leader Assists: Derrell Armstrong (2)
Team FG: 31-75 (41.3%)
Team 3 Pt: 4-17 (23.5%)
Team FT: 13-25 (52.0%)
Rebounds: 45
Turnovers: 13

Elon Stats
Leader Points: Jack Isenbarger (24)
Leader Rebounds: Sebastian Koch (12)
Leader Assists: Austin Hamilton (5)
Team FG: 28-61 (45.9%)
Team 3 Pt: 10-20 (50.0%)
Team FT: 27-39 (69.2%)
Rebounds: 45
Turnovers: 15

Thoughts
I stated in my pregame thoughts that UNCG didn't have anything to play for and Elon had a ton to play for in this game. Well, that was quite obvious. Elon scored the first 11 points and really only was threatened by UNCG once from then on.

Now it seems UNCG is completely out of sorts and struggling big time. Not a good sign for a team that had hopes of a conference championship just a couple of weeks ago. However, the Spartans are the outright North Division Champions and a #1 seed in the tournament.

I'll talk more about the tournament in the next few days, but for now let's hope UNCG can put this game (and this past week in general) out of their minds and focus on the up coming task.

UNCG (12-17) @ Elon (13-15)

When: Saturday, February 25 7 pm
Where: Alumni Gym (1,585)
TV: None/UStream (free streaming)

Elon Athletics

Preseason Preview

12/5/2011 - Elon 80 @ UNCG 72 Recap

UNCG Stats
Last Game: Wofford (L 56-68) Recap
PPG: 69.3
RPG: 35.4
APG: 11.9
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (18.0)
Leader Rebounds: David Williams (5.1)
Leader Assists: Drew Parker (2.8)
FG %: 40.2
3 Pt %: 33.8
FT %: 69.1

Elon Stats
Last Game: @ Davidson (L 45-66) Recap
PPG: 69.6
RPG: 36.9
APG: 13.3
Leader Points: Jack Isenbarger (13.7)
Leader Rebounds: Lucas Troutman (5.6)
Leader Assists: Austin Hamilton (2.9)
FG %: 41.7
3 Pt %: 35.3
FT %: 67.1

Thoughts
Let's start by stating the obvious ... UNCG has very little to actually play for tonight. Whatever the outcome, UNCG will be playing at noon next Saturday as the #1 seed from the North Division. Elon has a ton to play for. They are in teh middle of a fight for the other of the North Division bye. This is their Senior Night and final home game. They are calling the "white out" for this game. Please note that UNCG beat Chattanooga on their "black out" night.

But this is a rivalry game that always turns out to be close. Both of these schools have very similar stats and they played to a close game way back in December.

For UNCG it would be nice to get back on that winning track. The Saprtans have dropped their last 2 games against good teams from the South Division. However, I think that UNCG's fortunes may ride on whether Trevis Simpson see action in this game. According to the UNCG website, he will be a gametime decision.

SoCon Standings

Just wanted to give a quick update on the SoCon standings as everyone now gets back into conference play.

North
1. Elon (2-0)
Wins: Furman, @ UNCG
1. Western Carolina 2-0
Wins: Samford, UNCG,
3. App State (1-1)
Wins: UNCG
Losses: @ Ga Southern
4. Samford (0-1)
Losses: WCU
5. Chattanooga (0-2)
Losses: @ Ga Southern, @ Charleston
6. UNCG (0-3)
Losses: @ App State, @ WCU, Elon

South
1. Charleston (2-0)
Wins: Chattanooga, Citadel
1. Davidson (2-0)
Wins: @ Wofford, Furman
1. Ga Southern (2-0)
Wins: Chattanooga, App State
4. Wofford (1-1)
Wins: Citadel
Losses: Davidson
5. Furman (0-2)
Losses:@ Davidson, @ Elon
6. Citadel (0-2)
Losses: @ Charleston, @ Wofford

SoCon League Preview - Elon

Elon
Last year: 14-17 (7-11)
Finish: 4th North Division
Postseason: None
Last 10: 4-6
Coach: Matt Matheny (3rd yr)

OOC Games:
@ UMass, South Carolina, @ Princeton, @ NC State, Navy, Lynchburg, @ Dartmouth, @ San Diego State, @ UNC, Columbia

Additions:
- 5'-11" PG Austin Hamilton - ESPN Rated 75 (Herndon, VA)
- 6'-7" F Egheosa Edomwonyi - Sophomore Rice Transfer (Newark, NJ) Appeared in 6 games in 2009-2010

Losses:
- Chris Long (Graduated) 14.7 pts, 2.5 rebs, 6.1 assists, 1.7 steals
- Scott Grable (Graduated) 3.5 pts, 3.7 rebs
- David Meyer (Graduated) appeared in 5 games

Top Returners:
- Drew Spradlin - 13.6 pts, 4.1 rebs
- Jack Isenbarger - 10.4 pts, 3.2rebs, 1.9 assists
- Lucas Troutman - 8.8 pts, 4.1 rebs

Rest of the Season

UNCG 78 - App State 80 (OT)
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 73 - Western Carolina 83
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 86 - Citadel 74
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 69 - Charleston 87
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 58 - Miami 78
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 90 - Elon 99
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 66 - Western Carolina 70
News & Record
UNCG Athetics


UNCG 57 - Ga Southern 56
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 67 - Davidson 78
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 71 - Davidson 64*
* - SoCon Tournament 1st round
News & Record
UNCG Athletics


UNCG 66 - Western Carolina 77^
^ - SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals
News & Record
UNCG Athletics

Rough Stretch Continues For UNCG

UNCG 65 - Chattanooga 70

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
UTC Athletics

UNCG 65 - Elon 80

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

UNCG on TV Seven times

Spartan basketball will have 7 games shown on various television networks. This is the most ever for UNCG men's basketball. Below, I have listed the game and network ...

11/14 FSU @ UNCG FSN-South & FSN-Florida
11/21 Va Tech @ UNCG Comcast SportsNet & NESN
12/8 UNCG @ Maryland Comcast SportsNet
12/15 UNCG @ Wake Forest ESPNU
12/19 UNCG @ Clemson FSN-South
12/29 Duke @ UNCG ESPNU
2/19 UNCG @ Elon SportsSouth

Gipson Promoted, Miller Hired

According to the UNCGSpartans.com website, assistant coach Corey Gipson was promoted by UNCG to associate head coach. Gipson replaces Rod Jensen who left to be the head coach at the College of Idaho. Gipson is a graduate of Austin Peay. He also has an associate's degree from Three Rivers Community College. This is the same school that incoming player Aloysius Henry has attended the last 2 seasons. Corey came to UNCG before the start of last season.

Also from the UNCGSpartans.com website, Wes Miller has been hired to fill the final UNCG coaching spot. Miller comes to the Spartans after serving as an assistant coaching stints at Elon and High Point in the past 2 seasons. After starting his playing career at James Madison, Miller played 3 seasons at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a member of the 2005 UNC national championship team. He was a team captain on the 2006-2007 squad.

Congrats Corey and welcome to the Spartans, Wes !!!

Jensen Takes Head Coaching Job

First let me apologize for taking some time off from blogging. I've been quite busy with the birth of my first child a few weeks ago. Obviously, the newest Spartan fan has demanded a lot of my attention lately. But now that mommy and new baby are both doing well, I have a few minutes to make some posts updating things that have slipped by me since the end of basketball season.

Associate head coach Rod Jensen has left UNCG to take the head coaching position at the College of Idaho. Jensen had already spent many years in the state of Idaho as an assistant and head coach at Boise State. As you might remember, Jensen was the interim head coach for the Spartans win against Elon as coach Mike Dement was serving his one game suspension after being ejected from the UNCG-Samford game.

Good luck, coach Jensen in your new position and thanks for your time with the Spartans.

#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 !!!

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.

Spartans Jump Ahead Early, Hold on Late

UNCG 62 - Elon 55

News & Record
Burlington Times News - Game Story
Burlington Times News - Coach Jensen
UNCG Athletics
Elon Athletics

* I'm sorry that this post isn't up until now. I thought it had posted Friday before I left for a weekend trip to Charlotte.

Positives
- First half --- UNCG has been notorious this season for starting slow at home. On Thursday night, the Spartans bolted out to a good lead and went to the locker room ahead 31-16.
- Poise --- After having a very good lead for most of the game, the Spartans found themselves in a fight the last 10 minutes. However, they never let the Phoenix take the lead in the game. Mikko Koivisto and Kendall Toney made big shots to put the game out of reach. All of this happened without even having Head Coach Mike Dement on the bench to steady the team.
- Senior Leadership --- Koivisto, Toney, Ben Stywall, Pete Brown and Montel Smith all contributed and played really well. Smith and Bron were very good on the defensive end of the court. While Ben, Mikko and Kendall provided the offensive spark.

Negatives
-Free throws --- UNCG shot 4-9 from the line. That's not good shooting while trying to close out a game. Also, it's not nearly enough attempts for the Spartans. UNCG needs to get to the line more often and shoot a better percentage.
- Killing Instinct? --- Elon should have never gotten back within striking distance in this game. UNCG thoroughly outplayed them for most of this game. The Spartans need to do a better job of finishing off weaker opponents. Hopefully the more games the team wins, the better they'll become at this.

Elon (4-15) @ UNCG (4-16)

When: Thursday, January 28 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None

Elon Athletics
Elon Forum

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG made a fierce comeback in teh last minute, but fell short against Samford (70-67). Ben Stywall lead UNCG with 26 points and 19 rebounds.
- The loss dropped the Spartans to 3-6 in the SoCon, 3 1/2 games behind North Division leader Western Carolina.
- Tonight's game will be played without UNCG coach Mike Dement on the bench. Dement received two technical fouls (on a bullsh*t missed call) and it's mandated by the Southern conference that Dement will have to sit out the next game.
- Ben Stywall leads UNCG in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (10.5). Kyle Randall leads the team in assists (2.4).
- For the year, UNCG is shooting 37.6% from the field, 26.7% from behind the arc and 71.8% from the free throw line.

Phoenix Notes:
- Elon held off Chattanooga, 83-80, on Saturday afternoon. Drew Spradlin scored 30 points and Chris Long scored 25 points.
- Saturday's win snapped a nine game losing streak for Elon.
- The win raised Elon's Southern Conference Record to 2-6. Both of the Phoenix's wins have came against Chattanooga.
- Elon comes into this game with a 2-8 record in road games.
- Spradlin leads the team in scoring (13.1). Adam Constantine leads in rebounding (10.6) and long leads the team in assists (3.6).
- For the year, Elon is shooting 39.8% from the field, 30.4% from behind the arc and 67.9% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
These two teams come into this game sporting similar records, similar stats and similar amounts of confidence. Both teams played well this past weekend in games against Samford and Chattanooga. Also this game matches two of the best rebounders in the SoCon (Stywall & Constantine). Everything on paper points to this being a very close game. Not having coach Dement on the bench for this one may prove to be the deciding factor in this one.

The Spartans have played much better at at the Greensboro Coliseum as of late, winning their last 2 games there. Hopefully, that confidence will continue.

Go Spartans !!!