Spartans Split Games in Spain

UNCG 62 - Angola National Team 82

UNCG Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 30 - Angola 46

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Nicholas Paulos (14)
Leader Rebounds: Locke, Cain, Kuiper (5)
Leader Assists: Parker, Baldwin (3)
Team FG: 24-59 (40.7%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-15 (33.3%)
Team FT: 9-21 (42.9%)
Rebounds: 34
Turnovers: 12

Angola Stats
Leader Points: Barros (19)
Leader Rebounds: Joaquim (7)
Leader Assists: Gomes, Joaquim (2)
Team FG: 30-63 (47.6%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-19 (26.3%)
Team FT: 17-30 (59.7%)
Rebounds: 46
Turnovers: 13

Thoughts
UNCG started out the game like a team that had never played together before and fell behind 32-11 after the first quarter (they played four 10 minute quarters). The Spartans won the last 3 quarters of the game 52-51. It seem exactly like what you would've expected from this team on this trip playing against a very experienced pro team. Based on stats, it looks like fouls were an issue for UNCG. Good to see the team bounce back in the last 3 quarters and compete. All in all not a bad effort and a good learning experience.


UNCG 53 - Venezuela National Team 60

UNCG Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 32 - Venezuela 28

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Cain (18)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (11)
Leader Assists: Potts, Saddler (3)
Team FG: 21-56 (37.5%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-18 (27.8%)
Team FT: 6-9 (66.6%)
Rebounds: 39
Turnovers: 17

Venezuela Stats
Leader Points: Lopez, Colemenares (11)
Leader Rebounds: Colemenares (11)
Leader Assists: Guillent (5)
Team FG: 23-59 (39.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 3-16 (18.8%)
Team FT: 11-21 (52.4%)
Rebounds: 38
Turnovers: 10

Thoughts
Venezuela (#25 FIBA) ended the game on a 14-2 run to defeat the Spartans.It was another game against an international team of seasoned pros. This time, though, junior transfer Kyle Cain showed why he's going to be a force in the SoCon by posting 18 points and 11 rebounds. After a double digit defeat in their first game, UNCG showed a lot more fight against a very good team. This was another good learning experience.


UNCG 87 - Aragon Select 54

UNCG Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 42 - Agaron 28

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: White, Byrd (14)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (16)
Leader Assists: Baldwin, Saddler (5)
Team FG: 37-70 (52.9%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-15 (33.3%)
Team FT: 8-12 (66.6%)
Rebounds: 57
Turnovers: 16

Aragon Stats
Leader Points: Pato (14)
Leader Rebounds: Pato (7)
Leader Assists: Garcia (5)
Team FG: 20-61 (32.8%)
Team 3 Pt: 4-20 (20.0%)
Team FT: 10-28 (35.7%)
Rebounds: 29
Turnovers: 11

Thoughts
UNCG dominated this game pretty much throughout. Kyle Cain (10 pts & 16 Rebs) and RJ White (14 pts & 14 rebs) helped the Spartans completely dominate the boards. Freshman Clay Byrd tore it up from the outside making four 3 point shots.


UNCG 77 - Catalunya Select 72

UNCG Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 39 - Catalunya 27

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Saddler (20)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (13)
Leader Assists: Parker, Outlaw (3)
Team FG: 30-77 (39.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 5-13 (38.5%)
Team FT: 12-20 (60.0%)
Rebounds: 60
Turnovers: 20

Catalunya Stats
Leader Points: Ortega (28)
Leader Rebounds: Ortega (10)
Leader Assists: Guirao, Mbappe (2)
Team FG: 19-63 (30.2%)
Team 3 Pt: 6-33 (18.2%)
Team FT: 28-44 (63.6%)
Rebounds: 42
Turnovers: 16

Thoughts
UNCG managed to survive a huge run adn finished the game on a 7-1 run to finish off the Spanish trip at 2-2. The Catalunya team shot an amazing 44 free throws, but the Spartans controlled the boards for the second straight night and put 4 players in double figures (Locke, Cain, Saddler & Outlaw). This last game gave UNCG a chance to have to make plays at the end to win a contest. Back-to-back baskets by Locke and Saddler in the final 50 seconds allowed UNCG to grab the win.


UNCG N/A - CB Viladecavalls N/A
* Game Cancelled

Schedule Released Today

UNCG will be releasing their 2013-2014 men's basketball schedule today. You can get an early preview of it by checking out their Twitter feed. So, far it has mentioned UNCG playing High Point at the Greensboro Coliseum on November 8. I will post a full recap of the schedule tomorrow.

Charleston to Explore Move Further

According to the Charleston Post and Courier, the College of Charleston Board of Trustees discussed a possible move from the Southern Conference to the CAA at their meeting today. However, there was no definite decision.

The athletics committee will study the issue and make a recommendation to the full board, which is next scheduled to meet on Aug. 3.

Cougars athletic director Joe Hull said there is no timeline or deadline from the CAA for College of Charleston to make a decision. He said the uncertain future of the Southern Conference and the potential for missed class time and increased travel costs in the CAA are two of many issues College of Charleston must consider.

I've been following all of this through my Twitter account. Check it out there if you want to read more.

Good Call

From Spartanburg Herald-Journal sports writer Todd Shanesy ...

I don't know how the Southern Conference feels, but if I had a girlfriend who was flirting so much with another guy, she could hit the road.

— Todd Shanesy (@TerrierTracker) July 21, 2012

Scheduling Post #3

This is the last post about this for the day. Here's a Twitter post from Brian Mull. He's a writer for the Wilmington Star-News that covers UNCW and the CAA.

#UNCW AD Jimmy Bass said he's awaiting a contract from UNC-Greensboro. So, pencil in Wes Miller's club for a visit to Trask. #caahoops

— Brian Mull (@BGMull) July 11, 2012

I'll post a date for that as soon as it becomes available.

McNeil Transferring to UNCG

According to his Twitter page, Delaware senior Kelvin McNeil (6'8" PF Newport News, VA) has committed to spend his final season at UNCG. Kelvin will be eligible to play right away.

This past season, Kelvin averaged 2.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes for the Blue Hens. Delaware played in the post season CBI Tournament. McNeil pulled down a season best 9 rebounds against Villinova (11/18/11) and 13 points against Temple (12/30/11). Below are Youtube highlights of the Temple game, along with an interview.



McNeil had a solid first 2 seasons with the Blue Hens. He averaged 6 points and 6.2 rebounds (25.2 mins/game) his freshman season 5 points and 5 rebounds (19.8 mins/game) in his sophomore campaign. He missed 18 games during his freshman season with a knee injury. He redshirted during the 2008-2009seasson due to an injury in the preseason.

Below is a Youtube video of McNeil highlights from his sophomore campaign.



I'm still waiting to see official confirmation from UNCG. I'll post an update when that becomes available.

Randall to Central Michigan

From Twitter. Best of luck next season, Kyle !!!

Next year I will be a Central Michigan Chippewa! I can dig it

— Kyle Randall (@KRandy_12) April 21, 2012

Post Holiday Notes

Sorry if my posts have been a little erratic lately. I'll be honest and say that having a new son experiencing his first Christmas (and his first ear infection) has made things crazy around my house. However, I'm working on a bunch of new stuff for the coming year.

First off, I've done some work on my Twitter account and since Verizon has seen fit to hook me up with a nice new smart phone, I'll be twittering from it during upcoming games. Feel free to follow me, or you can just read my tweets from this page (I hope to have a gadget up for it soon!)

Also, I'm trying to get a site up for posting pictures taken at the games by myself and others. I would like it to become a good place for everyone to put up their UNCG basketball, and other sports, pictures. I should have more info on that coming soon.

Until then, I hope everyone enjoys the Duke game tomorrow. FYI ... with the Duke-UNCG, Pizza Hut Invitational and Southern Scuffle all taking place at the coliseum tomorrow, I would advise everyone to get there very early.

Floor Unveiling Event

Stories
UNCG Athletics
WFMY/Digtriad.com
WGHP Fox 8
News & Record

Pictures
Greensboro Coliseum - Twitter
Greensboro Coliseum - Facebook
UNCGfans.com - Floor
UNCGfans.com - Locker Rooms
UNCG Athletics

(Thanks to Steven @ UNCGfans.com for taking and posting those pictures)

The first UNCG home game is November 20th against Clemson. I can't wait. Especially after last Thursday's VIP (first time I've been called that) event at the Greensboro Coliseum. Several hundred people turned out to eat catered food, see the new playing surface, look at the new lockers rooms and listen to speeches from Terry Holland, Linda Brady, and Mike Dement. Let me just say that I was quite impressed with the turnout and impressed with the show put on.

I owe everyone an apology for not checking the batteries in my camera before sprinting out of the house. I was very disappointed when I hit the power button Thursday evening, to have it turn on and then right back off again. So I guess I will just have to describe the things I got to see throughout the night.

First off, the food was very good. I did spill my wife's red wine on my yellow polo shirt, which is kind of par for the course for me. Thank god that the basketball team showed up about a minute later handing out blue & gold scarfs.

The staff members walking around selling tickets were very nice and spent time talking to everyone. Apparently, UNCG has already sold double it's normal season tickets, and it's only the end of August! I assume there will be a media blitz in the next few months to really turn up the heat. I also found out the seat selection proccess should start in the next few weeks for those who had already purchased season tickets (that's me).

The speeches were nice, but I was not the target of those speeches. Most of the points were intended to be heard by businesses and community leaders who need to get behind this move to the coliseum in the way of sponsorship and ticket sales. Terry Holland was very entertaining, though. His story about looking like Tom Smith of Food Lion commercial fame brought back some memories. Plus, he made a good point about the "big" guys from the ACC needing schools like UNCG and ECU just as much as we need them.

The light and music production surrounding the actual floor unveiling was cool. I hope this is the type of introductions that take place before every game. Plus, it was great to see the UNCG name and logo on the ribbon going around the coliseum and above the scoreboard.

As for the court and locker rooms, I will just have to let the pictures and stories linked to above here speak for themselves. It was a great touch to let everybody wander through the locker rooms and offices to see what it will be like for the players and coaches on game day.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful event and it left me a little sad that the games won't start for another 2 1/2 months. But it also left me with something to be excited about until then too.

Brian Cole and Scheduling Problems for Mid-Majors

Since I was at my niece's birthday party last night, I will just have to re-post from Mike Dement's Twitter page.

Got calls with news from the summer league that Brian Cole had 35 and 10. Told Brian we could use those no's vs the sched I just read about

Also, here is an article from the News & Record about the UNCG schedule that was released yesterday.

"It's definitely challenging," UNCG coach Mike Dement said. "... We're trying to make this move (to the coliseum) and make it a big move.

"We're looking at it as helping us in three ways. No. 1, playing that kind of schedule will prepare us for our Southern Conference games in every way possible. No. 2, we hope it will enhance our recruiting. Kids who want to play that kind of schedule, particularly kids from the state of North Carolina, will find us attractive. And No. 3, our present players will raise the level of their off season commitment to improving their strength and conditioning and skills."

Finally, here is an article by Rivals about issues that face mid-major programs when it comes to scheduling. Sienna, coached by former UNCG coach Fran McCaffery, is the main focus of the article. Apparently, winning games in each of the last 2 NCAA tournaments makes finding competition a little more difficult.

Chaskin has contacted plenty of schools that haven’t completed their schedules; some are even looking to fill games on the same dates Siena has available. Whenever he calls those schools, Chaskin typically get the same response: “Yes, we need a game and we know you need a game also. We’re also talking to other teams. Frankly, we’re hoping to hear from those other teams because we don’t particularly want to play you. But if we have to play you, that’s what we’ll do.”

Luckily, UNCG has already completed it's schedule. That schedule however, is the most difficult one that i can remember ever seeing. It's reminiscent of the one Chattanooga played last year. Let's hope that the end of year result will be the same for the Spartans this season.

Twitter Gives Insight into Recruiting

I must admit that I'm a newbie when it comes to Twitter. Since, I was ahead of the curve on Myspace and Facebook, I decided that I just didn't feel like dealing with another new social networking site. However, it seems like everyone has a page right now. So, I've caved into the pressure and getting up to speed in an hurry.

I thought I'd let everyone know that my favorite person to follow on Twitter has become recruiting "guru" Dave Telep. Telep does recruiting analysis for Scouthoops and the ACC Sports Journal. Plus, he runs a tournament for high school basketball players. Dave has been out on the road at several AAU tournaments. Some of his tweets can give you insight to what the coaches are doing at these things.

- Head coach is dipping and thinks no one sees. Another closed a japanese bar + sang karaoke last nite.

- Socon coach on a player. "If he didn't have a beer gut we could go to the other gym. We couldn't get him"

- Rough day at camp. Play is poor, effort not there. Kids clueless how disenchanted coaches r with results"

Anyone who has time should go through and read all of his stuff.

As I've mentioned before (and linked to here already) Coach Dement updates his twitter page daily. Also UNCG Sports has a page, as does the Greensboro Coliseum.