Spartans Storm Back for Season Ending Victory

UNCG 73 - Wofford 71

UNCG Athletics
Wofford Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 29 - Wofford 38

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Locke (17)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (8)\
Leader Assists: Potts, Paulos (Tied - 4)
Team FG: 29-47 (61.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 4-6 (66.7%)
Team FT: 11-15 (73.3%)
Rebounds: 30
Turnovers: 10

Wofford Stats
Leader Points: Collins (15)
Leader Rebounds: Skinner (6)
Leader Assists: Cochran (5)
Team FG: 27-55 (49.1%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-15 (33.3%)
Team FT: 12-22 (54.5%)
Rebounds: 23
Turnovers: 4

Thoughts
Despite being down 15-3 right out of the gate, UNCG came back for an important win on Saturday night.The win gave the Spartans the #6 seed for the upcoming SoCon Tournament in Asheville. UNCG will take on #11 seed Citadel at 4:00 on Friday with the winner advancing to face Wofford on Saturday night.

After the poor start, UNCG battled back to only be down by 9 at the half. A second half 12-1 run tied the game at 45 before UNCG went on to lead by as many as 8. However, it took a good defensive stand to cause Karl Cochran to badly miss a midrange shot with about 3 seconds left. Tevon Saddler grabbed the rebound to preserve the win.

Now it's a whole new season. UNCG has at least set themselves up as well as possible for a long stay in Asheville. The Spartans are on the opposite side of the bracket as Davidson, Western Carolina and Elon. At least the teams on bottom half of the bracket are teams that UNCG has defeated at some point this season. Let's hope the Spartans can carry their second half offense with them to the US Cellular Center next weekend. Go Spartans !!!

UNCG to Appear on ESPN3 Multiple Times

The Southern Conference announced their league TV/Digital schedule last week. UNCG is scheduled to appear on ESPN3 three times this season (the women's team will be shown once), including 2 back-to-back road contests in January. The league also announced that some select contests would appear on Charter/Comcast Sports Southeast. While that station is mainly available in South Carolina, it's still good to see the league office trying to establish an actual over the air TV presence for the SoCon.

Schedule
Nov. 11 Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Davidson (ESPN3)
Nov. 15 Florida Gulf Coast at Furman (CSS/ESPN3)
Dec. 7 William & Mary at Wofford (ESPN3)
Dec. 30 NC State at UNCG (ESPN3)
Jan. 4 Chattanooga at Furman (ESPN3)
Jan. 4 Appalachian State at Furman-Women's (ESPN3)
Jan. 6 Chattanooga at The Citadel (CSS/ESPN3)
Jan. 20 Western Carolina at Wofford (CSS/ESPN3)
Jan. 23 UNCG at Samford (ESPN3)
Jan. 25 UNCG at Chattanooga (ESPN3)
Jan. 25 Samford at Chattanooga-Women's (ESPN3)
Feb. 8 Georgia Southern at Elon (ESPN3)
Feb. 8 Georgia Southern at Elon-Women's (ESPN3)
Feb. 10 Furman at Western Carolina (CSS/ESPN3)
Feb. 15 Wofford at Appalachian State (ESPN3)
Feb. 15 UNCG at Appalachian State-Women's (ESPN3)
Feb. 17 Women’s Basketball Chattanooga at Wofford ESPN3
Feb. 22 Wofford at Davidson (ESPN3)
Feb. 22 Western Carolina at Davidson-Women's (ESPN3)
Feb. 24 Samford at The Citadel (CSS/ESPN3)
March 7 SoCon Tournament First Round (ESPN3)
March 8 SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals (ESPN3)
March 9 SoCon Tournament Semifinals-Women's (CSS/ESPN3)
March 9 SoCon Tournament Semifinals (CSS/ESPN3)
March 10 SoCon Tournament Championship-Women's (CSS/ESPN3)
March 10 SoCon Tournament Championship (ESPN2)

Spartans Release 2013-2014 Schedule

UNCG released their 2013-2014 schedule on Monday. It features an odd mix of 4 ACC opponents and 3 non-D1 teams. The Spartans will also be playing in 2013 Gulf Coast Showcase in Naples/Ft Myers, FL. The brackets for that tournament have not been released yet.

11/2 Lees-McRae* (Exhibition)
11/8 High Point
11/12 East Carolina
11/17 Chowan
11/20 Greensboro College
11/25 TBD^ Gulf Coast Showcase
11/26 TBD^ Gulf Coast Showcase
11/27 TBD^ Gulf Coast Showcase
12/3 Presbyterian
12/7 UNC-Chappel Hill
12/11 Claffin
12/14 @ Rutgers
12/18 James Madison
12/21 @ Wake Forest
12/28 @ Viginia Tech
12/30 NC State
1/2 @ Western Carolina
1/6 Furman
1/9 @ App State
1/16 Citadel
1/18 Davidson
1/23 @ Samford
1/25 @ Chattanooga
1/30 App State
2/1 Georgia Southern
2/6 @ Elon
2/13 @ Georgia Southern
2/16 Western Carolina
2/19 Elon
2/23 Chattanooga
2/27 @ Davidson
3/1 @ Wofford
3/7 TBD# SoCon Tournament
3/8 TBD# SoCon Tournament
3/9 TBD# SoCon Tournament
3/10 TBD# SoCOn Tournament

* Fleming Gym (Greensboro, NC)
^ Germain Arena (Estero, FL)
# US Cellular Arena (Asheville, NC)

SoCon Tournament Results

Friday, March 8th
#9 Ga Southern 60 - #8 Wofford 44
#12 Furman 55 - #5 Samford 51
#10 UNCG 87 - #7 Chattanooga 81
#6 Western Carolina 76 - #11 Citadel 61

Saturday, March 9th
#1 Davidson 86 - #9 Ga Southern 59
#4 App State 74 - #12 Furman 60
#2 Elon 68 - #10 UNCG 61
#3 Charleston 78 - #6 Western Carolina 70

Sunday, March 10th
#1 Davidson 65 - #4 App State 62
#3 Charleston 68 - #2 Elon 60

Monday, March 11th
#1 Davidson 74 - #3 Charleston 55

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

UNCG Releases 2012-2013 Schedule

11/3 Bluefield State* (Exh.)
11/9 @ High Point
11/12 Winston-Salem State
11/16 @ East Carolina
11/19 Virginia Tech
11/25 Rutgers
11/28 NC A&T
12/1 Citadel
12/16 @ James Madison
12/19 @ UNC Wilmington
12/22 Wake Forest
12/31 @ NC State
1/5 @ Davidson
1/9 Lees-McRae
1/12 @ Western Carolina
1/14 @ App State
1/16 Wofford
1/20 Furman
1/24 Chattanooga
1/26 Samford
1/31 Elon
2/2 @ Charleston
2/7 @ Furman
2/9 @ Wofford
2/14 Western Carolina
2/17 App State
2/21 @ Chattanooga
2/23 @ Samford
2/28 Ga Southern
3/2 @ Elon
3/8 - 3/11 SoCon Tournament^

* Fleming Gym
^ Asheville, NC

All-SoCon Tournament Team

All-SoCon Tournament Team

FIRST TEAM
De'Mon Brooks (Davidson)
Jake Cohen (Davidson)
J.P. Kuhlman (Davidson)
Harouna Mutombo (Western Carolina)
Trey Sumler (Western Carolina)

SECOND TEAM
Jack Isenbarger (Elon)
Eric Ferguson (Georgia Southern)
Trevis Simpson (UNCG)
Keaton Cole (Western Carolina)
Tawaski King (Western Carolina)

Most Outstanding Player
De'Mon Brooks (Davidson)

Day 4 Results

Monday, March 5 Results

Western Carolina 91
Davidson 93
2 OT

* Davidson wins Southern Conference Chamionship

WCU - SoCon Tournament Post Game

Post game press conference that I found here.

Hot Catamounts End UNCG Run

UNCG 77 - WCU 82

Asheville Citizen-Times
News & Record
UNCG Athletics
Western Carolina Athletics

Halftime UNCG 37 - WCU 42

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (24)
Leader Rebounds: Derrell Armstrong (7)
Leader Assists: Derrell Armstrong (4)
Team FG: 28-60 (46.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 8-19 (42.1%)
Team FT: 13-14 (92.9%)
Rebounds: 30
Turnovers: 13

WCU Stats
Leader Points: Cole, Mutombo (17 tie)
Leader Rebounds: Trey Sumler (8)
Leader Assists: Trey Sumler (5)
Team FG: 29-62 (46.8%)
Team 3 Pt: 10-21 (47.6%)
Team FT: 14-19 (73.3%)
Rebounds: 36
Turnovers: 13

Thoughts
The last 5 minutes of the first half gave Western Carolina all of the margin they would need. After that, it was all about surviving every run that UNCG threw at them. That was a great game in a fun environment. I totally expected the Cats to get tired and eventually fade. It never happened.

Western Carolina deserves a lot of credit. They were the better team on Sunday night. I will absolutely be rooting against them in the championship game due to their fans being obnoxious assholes. I'll get to more of that in my trip wrap-up post sometime later this week.

For now, I'm just sad to see what had become a fun 2012-2012 season come to an end. The last 2+ months have been an enjoyable ride. I am already ready for next season.

Day 3 Results

Sunday, March 4 Results

Western Carolina 82
UNCG 77

Elon 67
Davidson 83

ASU - SoCon Tournament Post Game

Post game press conference that I found here.

UNCG Comeback Stuns App

UNCG 65 - App State 55

Asheville Times-Citizen
News & Record
UNCG Athletics
App State Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 32 - App State 39

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Trevis Simpson (17)
Leader Rebounds: Simpson, David Williams (9 tie)
Leader Assists: Williams, Derrell Armstrong (3 tie)
Team FG: 23-61 (37.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-14 (35.7%)
Team FT: 14-24 (58.3%)
Rebounds: 44
Turnovers: 9

App State Stats
Leader Points: Ike Butts (16)
Leader Rebounds: Ike Butts (10)
Leader Assists: Mike Neal (2)
Team FG: 21-58 (36.2%)
Team 3 Pt: 2-17 (11.8%)
Team FT: 11-13 (84.6%)
Rebounds: 36
Turnovers: 14

Thoughts
The Spartans were done. You could feel the air go out of the fans behind the bench. The score was 49-38 with about 10 minutes left in the game, and I wrote the word "Ovah" on my Twitter feed.

That was about the time UNCG remembered they were a better team than App and took off on a 27-6 run to thump App right on back to Boone. Trevis Simpson finished it off with a ridiculous windmill dunk.

I encourage everyone to get to Asheville to see today's game. It's a great place to watch basketball. I'll write a full post on my entire experience next week. But for now the UNCG basketball team rolls on. Hopefully this season can continue on a little longer.

Day 2 Results

Saturday, March 3 Results

App St 55
UNCG 65

Western Carolina 82
Wofford 59

Furman 54
Davidson 73

Georgia Southern 58
Elon 65

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

Day 1 Results

Friday, March 2 Results

App State 93
Charleston 81

Citadel 56
Western Carolina 68

Furman 75
Samford 66

Chattanooga 70
Ga Southern 76

6N Chattanooga (11-20) - 3S Ga Southern (14-14)

When: Friday, March 2 8:30 pm
Where: US Cellular Arena (7,654)
TV: None/SoCon TV

Chattanooga Athletics
GSU Athletics

12/1 Chattanooga 76 @ Ga Southern 84 Recap - Recap
1/28 Ga Southern 75 @ Chattanooga 72 Recap - Recap

Chattanooga Stats
Last Game: Samford (W 86-78) Recap
PPG: 70.6
RPG: 39.1
APG: 14.5
Leader Points: Omatr Wattad (12.4)
Leader Rebounds: Drazen Vlovaric (6.5)
Leader Assists: Keegan Bell (6.2)
FG %: 41.5
3 Pt %: 33.5
FT %: 68.0

Ga Southern Stats
Last Game: Davidson (L 54-71) Recap
PPG: 66.7
RPG: 31.7
APG: 12.3
Leader Points: Eric Ferguson (14.8)
Leader Rebounds: Eric Ferguson (7.1)
Leader Assists: Willie Powers (5.4)
FG %: 46.7
3 Pt %: 35.7
FT %: 67.0

My Pick
After the defensive sluggfest I expect in the 6 pm game, this one should have some real tempo to it. I expect to see both teams play sloppy, but at a frenetic pace. Since I feel compelled to pick an upset, I'm taking the Mocs to win for the first time away from the Roundhouse. Score ... 86-79.

5S Furman (14-15) - 4S Samford (11-18)

When: Friday, March 2 6pm
Where: US Cellular Arena (7,654)
TV: None/SoCon TV

Furman Athletics
Samford Athletics

2/18 Furman 49 @ Samford 55 Recap - Recap

Furman Stats
Last Game: @ Wofford (L 52-67) Recap
PPG: 64.7
RPG: 34.2
APG: 11.1
Leader Points: Brandon Sebirumbi (11.2)
Leader Rebounds: Brandon Sebirumbi (5.5)
Leader Assists: Richard Brown (3.0)
FG %: 41.4
3 Pt %: 33.8
FT %: 72.4

Samford Stats
Last Game: @ Chattanooga (L 78-86) Recap
PPG: 66.1
RPG: 32.3
APG: 14.1
Leader Points: Drew Windler (14.2)
Leader Rebounds: Jeffrey Merritt (6.6)
Leader Assists: Jeffrey Merritt (3.5)
FG %: 44.3
3 Pt %: 34.1
FT %: 65.7

My Pick
I think Samford's ability to spread Furman out and make shots will help in this low scoring game, 56-51. Defense rules in this one.

6S Citadel (6-23) - 3N Western Carolina (14-17)

When: Friday, March 2 2pm
Where US Cellular Arena (7,654)
TV: None/SoCon TV

Citadel Athletics
Western Carolina Athletics

2/16 Citadel 53 @ WCU 70 Recap - Recap

Citadel Stats
Last Game: Charleston (L 47-55) Recap
PPG: 64.4
RPG: 32.8
APG: 13.4
Leader Points: Mike Groselle (16.6)
Leader Rebounds: Mike Groselle (9.7)
Leader Assists: DeVontae Wright (2.7)
FG %: 43.5
3 PT %: 33.3
FT %: 66.5

Western Carolina
Last Game: App State (W 83-75) Recap
PPG: 70.3
RPG: 35.5
APG: 10.8
Leader Points: Harouna Mutmobo (13.3)
Leader Rebounds: Harouna Mutombo (5.9)
Leader Assists: Trey Sumler (4.0)
FG %: 41.7
3 Pt %: 33.8
FT %: 68.6

My Pick
I'll take Western, but they should be on upset alert. I think all 4 Firday games will be close. 67-64 OT.

5N App State (12-17) - 4S Charleston (19-11)

When: Friday, March 2 11:30 am
Where: US Cellular Arena (7,654)
TV: None/SoCon TV

App State Athletics
Charleston Athletics

2/4 - Charleston 74 @ App State 62 Recap -Recap

App State Stats
Last Game: @ Western Carolina (L 75-83) Recap
PPG: 68.0
RPG: 34.7
APG: 12.4
Leader Points: Omar Cater (11.6)
Leader Rebounds: Andre Williamson (6.8)
Leader Assists: Miek Neal (3.1)
FG %: 44.0
3 Pt %: 34.5
FT %: 64.3

Charleston Stats
Last game: @ Citadel (W 55-47) Recap
PPG: 70.3
RPG: 36.0
APG: 12.0
Leader Points: Antwaine Wiggins (16.0)
Leader Rebounds: Trent Wiedeman (8.8)
Leader Assists: Andrew Lawrence (5.6)
FG %: 42.6
3 Pt %: 34.1
FT: 64.4

My Pick
Charleston is a better team that is finally getting healthy. I'll take the Cougars in a very close one, 71-67.