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 !!!

That Could Have Went Better

UNCG 65 - NC A&T 87

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
NC A&T Athletics

NC A&T (3-3) @ UNCG (2-3)

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

NC A&T Athletics
Dawg Pound (Blog & Forum)

Preseason Preview

Note: Tonight's game is being called an A&T home game. I'm sure that will mean that all UNCG home game festivities will be taken away from the Greensboro Coliseum. However, since it's being played at the coliseum and not the Aggies actual home court, I refuse to look at this as a road game. In the eyes of the NCAA Selection committee or the RPI this is a home game for UNCG and I will treat it as such for this blog.

Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, 21 second half points from freshman Nick Paulos sparked UNCG to a 72-60 victory over Towson in the consolation game of the Maui Invitational "Mainland" bracket.
- After tonight's game, UNCG will jump into December conference play as they travel to App State (12/1) and Western Carolina (12/3). The Spartans will return home next Monday (12/5) to face rival Elon.
- Last season, a late 9-0 A&T run help vault the Aggies over UNCG 82-70. Aloysius Henry posted a double-double (12 pts & 15 rebs) in that contest. Kyle Randall scored 23 points.
- This season, Trevis Simpson leads UNCG in scoring (12.0). Henry leads the team in rebounding (5.0) and Randall leads in assists (2.6).
- For the season, UNCG is shooting 38.7% from the field, 33.3% from behind the arc and 56.5% from the free throw line.

Aggie Notes:
- Last time out, Nic Simpson's 14 points propelled A&T to an easy victory over visiting Barber-Scotia College, 88-53. Austin Witter also scored 14 points to go along with 11rebounds.
- NCA&T is ranked in the top 25 in the nation in points, rebounds and assists per game.
- Simpson leads A&T in scoring (12.5). Witter leads the team in rebounds (6.0) and Marc Hill leads in assists (4.7).
- For the year, A&T is shooting 42.3% from the field, 31.5% from behind the arc and 73.6% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts:
UNCG has had 8 days off since it's their last game in Murfreesboro. Hopefully the time off has given the guys time to re-charge their batteries and find their offensive rhythm.

Go Spartans !!!

Preseason OOC Opponent Preview - NC A&T

North Carolina A&T
Location: Greensboro, NC
Last year: 15/17 (9-7)
Conference: MEAC (RPI #30)
Finish: 5th (out of 11)
Postseason: None
Last 10: 6-4
Coach: Jerry Eaves (8th yr)

2011-2012 Schedule:
- 11/11 @ Creighton
- 11/14 @ Iowa
- 11/17 @ Campbell
- 11/19 Chicago State
- 11/23 Johnson & Wales
- 11/25 Barber-Scotia
- 11/28 @ UNCG
- 12/3 @ NC Central
- 12/10 @ Evansville
- 12/13 @ UCF
- 12/15 @ St Mary's (MI)
- 12/18 @ Hawaii
- 12/21 @ Akron
- 12/23 @ Ohio
- 12/28 @ Houston
- 1/3 Carver Bible College
- 1/7 Bethune-Cookman
- 1/9 Florida A&M
- 1/14 Howard
- 1/21 @ Morgan St
- 1/23 @ Coppin St
- 1/28 Maryland-Eastern Shore
- 1/30 Deleware St
- 2/4 @ Bethune-Cookman
- 2/6 @ Florida A&M
- 2/11 South Carolina St
- 2/13 Savannah St
- 2/18 NC Central
- 2/25 @ South Carolina St
- 2/27 @ Savannah St
- 3/1 Norfolk St

Additions:
- 6'-4" G Jean Louisme - JUCO (Fort Myers, FL) 19.9 pts, 3.7 assists
- 6'-6" F Dominique Behonh-Tolley - JUCO (Cameroon, Africa)
- 6'-9" C Jacob Carson - ESPN Unrated (Goose Creek, SC)
- 6'-7" F Anthony Estes - ESPN Unrated (Washington, DC)

Losses:
- Thomas Coleman (Graduated) - 17.0 pts, 10.5 rebs

Top Returners:
- Nic Simpson - 13.3 pts, 2.4 rebs
- Marc Hill - 10.8 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.1 assists

Aggies Pull Away Late

UNCG 70 - NC A&T 82

News & Record
UNCG Athletics
NC A&T Athletics

Positives
Double-double - UNCG big man Aloysius Henry had his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes. Henry was a force right out of the gate and it was nice to see him getting those extra minutes. Unfortunately, Henry went out with cramps right about the time A&T started their decisive run.

Super Sophs - Korey VanDussen (10 points & 3 assists) carried the team in the first half. Back court running mate Kyle Randall (23 points & 4 assists) shouldered the load in the second half. It was nice to see these guys continue to mature and hit big shots.

Negatives
Defense ... again - UNCG's awful defense again didn't bother to show up on Monday. A&T shot a blistering 50.9%, while forcing UNCG to commit 12 more fouls. This led to a whopping 20 free throw advantage for the Aggies. Guys have got to get in a stance, keep the hands up and play for the entire possession.

No winning experience - There isn't a player on this team that has experienced any real amount of winning at the college level. The Spartans had plenty of chances to seize this game. Instead they hung their heads the minute adversity struck. The brutal schedule this team has played the last 2 seasons is really starting wear on the team.

Wrap up
The silver lining to this game was that the guys got experience what it was like to be in a close game and hopefully realize the energy they must bring to the floor in order to finish on top. Besides that, it was an out-of-conference contest. UNCG is still 0-0 in the SoCon. The only way that this team is going to go to the NCAA tournament is to win the SoCon. So, that is the most important thing.

The season officially starts on Thursday. So, hopefully UNCG can gather themselves up for a tough trip to Spartanburg. That sounds like the best place to start a Spartan winning streak.

Go Spartans !!!

NC A&T (3-3) @ UNCG (0-4)

When: Monday, November 29 7 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: None/Spartan All-Access

NC A&T Athletics
NC A&T Dawgpound

Spartan Notes:
- UNCG was obliterated by East Carolina on Saturday evening, 81-53. That is all I will write about that game.
- The Spartans are still averaging an astounding 22 turnovers per game. They are giving up over 92 points per game. That ranks 346th in D1.
-This series has been very competitive over the years. A&T leads the overall series 7-6. The teams haven't met since the 2001-2002 season. UNCG won that game 85-67.
- Korey VanDussen leads UNCG in scoring (12.8), rebounding (4.8) and assists (3.3). Cody Henegar and David Williams are also averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest. Kyle Randall and Drew Parker are both averaging 3 assist per game.
- For the season, UNCG is shooting 43.0% from the field, 36.2% from behind the arc and 67% from the free throw line.

Aggies Notes:
- The Aggies enter tonight's game winners of 2 straight. After an overtime win against UNCW, NC A&T beat Greensboro College 79-58 on Friday. Thomas Coleman led the Aggies with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- A&T has played a schedule that can rival the difficulty of UNCG's. They have played road games at #5 Ohio State and #10 Florida.
- NC A&T are ranked in the top 200 in Divsion 1 in almost major offensive categories. Their problem falls on the defensive side, where the Aggies boast a top 200 ranking in just one (3 point % defense) category.
- The Aggies were picked to finish 8th in the MEAC during preseason by the conference coaches. Coleman was a preseason 2nd team selection.
- A&T has 9 NCAA tournament appearances on their resume. Their last appearance was in 1995, when they lost as a #16 seed to Wake Forest. The previous year, the Aggies only lost by 15 to eventual national champion Arkansas.
- Coleman leads A&T in points (13.4) and rebounds (10.0) per game. Marc Hill leads the team in assists (4.5).
- For the year, NC A&T is shooting 43.6% from the field, 32.8% from behind the arc and 69.6% from the free throw line.

My Thoughts
It's time to shit, or get off the pot. Simple as that.

Go Spartans !!!

UNCG Offering 5-Game Ticket Plan

UNCG is offering ticket plans (called "Gimme 5") for this season in men's basketball. It's an option for people who might not want a whole season ticket package. Here's how it works ...

Everyone gets:
- Duke

Blue Game (pick 1):
- FSU
- Miami
- Virginia Tech

Yellow Game (pick 3):
- NC A&T
- Furman
- Richmond
- Samford
- Chattanooga
- Elon
- Davidson
- Ga Southern
- App State
- Citadel
- Western Carolina

The prices are $45 (upper level) and $65 (lower level) per seat.

New Schedule Released

UNCG has released it's 2010-2011 basketball schedule. There are 15 home games including restarting a rivalry with a crosstown rival. Times haven't been finalized and and I'm sure that TV can move dates if needed. Also, tomorrow is the last day to renew season tickets (which, sorry guys, the new baby is keeping me from doing this year). Single game tickets go on sale October 22 through Ticketmaster.

Nov. 12 @ VCU
Nov. 14 Florida State
Nov. 21 Va Tech
Nov. 27 @ ECU
Nov 29 NC A&T
Dec. 2 @ Wofford
Dec. 6 Furman
Dec. 8 @ Maryland
Dec. 15 @ Wake Forest
Dec. 18 @ Clemson
Dec. 22 Richmond
Dec. 29 Duke
Jan. 6 Samford
Jan. 8 Chattanooga
Jan. 10 Elon
Jan. 13 @ App State
Jan. 17 Davidson
Jan. 20 Ga Southern
Jan. 27 @ Chattanooga
Jan. 29 @ Samford
Feb. 2 App State
Feb. 5 @ Western Carolina
Feb. 7 Citadel
Feb. 12 @ College of Charleston
Feb. 15 Miami (FL)
Feb. 19 @ Elon
Feb. 21 Western Carolina
Feb. 24 @ Ga Southern
Feb. 26 @ Davidson
March 4-7 SoCon Tournament*

* Chattanooga, TN

Links & OOC Scheduling

Now that I have some free time for the next couple of months, I'm going to try to exchange links with a few more college basketball websites. Feel free to send me sites that you think I should check out. I'm going to start by contacting websites of teams that UNCG is playing this upcoming season.

Which brings me to my to my next point. I'm adding a new space for confirmed out of conference opponents. I'll use this post to point out where I found these teams from. Hopefully by the time the real schedule comes out, we'll already have a good portion of it figured out. If anyone comes across a link or knows something that they'd like to share, email me.

- NC State, ECU & Princeton - We've known about these 3 for a while. All three games will be at the Greensboro Coliseum.
- Duke, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech & Wake Forest - The article points out that the Duke game is in Cameron (11/14). Other than that game, it's unknown where the rest of these will be played.
- NC A&T (rumored) - I'm going to leave this one off the list because the article only vaguely says that the series will be restarted.
- Richmond, VCU & Charlotte (rumored) - The article just says Barakat is working on these teams. I also believe these are the same teams he mentioned at the press conference in December.

Greensboro Classic and more

College of Charleston opened their new arena this season with a 3-day tournament featuring themselves, Clemson and several other other solid programs (Temple, TCU). That sparked up a discussion at UNCGfans forum. Would it be a good idea to put on a similar type tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum and invite some of the local area teams plus maybe an ACC school? Over the last few days a NC A&T fan has added to the discussion.

I've decided to add a poll to the blog just for my own interest to see if there would be support for a tournament/event. Feel free to vote and comment.

Also, WUAG (103.1 fm) is carrying Spartan basketball games throughout the holidays. You can find their schedule here. I'm always glad to see them carrying the games b/c their streaming is a lot better than WPET.

Here's an article from from Sunday's News & Record with more discussion on the move to the coliseum. Not a lot new in there, but it's got more of a positive tone.