VCU Previews, Scrimmage Notes and Dement's Comments

Sort of a weird grouping of things to post tonight. We've got less than 24 hours before the season gets underway. So let's start with some previews of opponent #1, Virginia Commonwealth.

- Here is a VCU preview from USA Today. This quote is frightening to UNCG fans ...

Deep and aggressive on defense, this is a lineup that can make life uncomfortable for any opponent, no matter the NCAA classification.

- Rush the Court's CAA preview predicted VCU to finish 2nd in the Colonial and get a #12 seed in the NCAA tournament. They also selected PG Joey Rodriguez to the All-Conference team.

-VCU Ram Nation posted this game preview. It is very tough to argue with the author's logic here ...

Friday’s matchup has 2 teams each introducing 6 new players into their lineups and having lost their star all-conference player from last season. The difference is that one team went 27-9, while the other went 8-23.

Coach Dement was on Sports Drive with Taylor Zarzour this morning and talked about his concerns with having a young team and very difficult schedule. He said that the team was young and he thought they would definitely improve throughout the season.

Here is a YouTube video from the Tom Ward Tipoff Luncheon that basically echos those same comments.



And finally, Jeff Goodman had an article leaking some of the info from the UNCG-UNC scrimmage on Oct 30.

UNC Greensboro was overwhelmed talent-wise by UNC, but there were a few bright spots: Junior college big men Aloysius Henry and Aaron Brackett – as well as 6-foot-7 wing David Williams – all competed and showed flashes.

No one from the university is allowed to discuss these "closed" scrimmages. I've recieved no reports from the UNCG-Radford scrimmage (and I don't expect to hear anything about it).

Paulos Sign LOI

Nick Paulos signed his LOI with UNCG yesterday, the first day of the fall signing period. Here is the article from the UNCG Athletics website.

Syndicated Radio Show at UNCG

Taylor Zarzour will be doing his syndicated radio show, Sports Drive, from UNCG this Thursday from 9-12. You can hear this show on 620 AM in the triangle or the triad sports network (1200 AM, 1230 AM, 1320 AM) in the triad. The show can also be streamed over the net here.

Spartans Selected 4th by Coaches; 6th by Media

The SoCon coaches picked UNCG to finish in 4th place of the North Division in their preseason poll. App Sate, Western Carolina and Chattanooga were picked to finish ahead of the Spartans. Elon and Samford were picked to finish behind UNCG. Wofford was the choice to win the South, followed by College of Charleston, Davidson, Citadel, Furman and Georgia Southern. Charleston's Andrew Goudelock was selected preseason player of the year.

The SoCon media picked UNCG to finish 6th in the SoCon North Division in their preseason poll. App State was picked to finish first in the North, followed by Western Carolina, Chattanooga Elon and Samford. In the South division, Wofford was picked to finish on top. College of Charleston was picked to finish second, followed by Davidson, Citadel, Furman and Georgia Southern.

Wofford is the defending Southern Conference Champion. This season's champion will be decided during the first weekend in March in Chattanooga, TN.

The Spartans lost 6 scholarship players from last year's team due to graduation or transfer. That team finished the season 8-23. The 2010-2011 Spartans open the season at VCU on Friday evening.

Jackson Transfers

I have received quite a few emails asking me what happened to DeAngelo Jackson on this year's roster. Well, I came across this a long time ago, but completely forgot to post it.

According to Jeff Goodman, Jackson transferred to College of Idaho.

DeAngelo Jackson, 6-8, F, Soph., UNC-Greensboro – COLLEGE OF IDAHO

You'll remember that this is same school that hired assistant coach Rod Jensen this off season. So, I want to take this opportunity to thank DeAngelo for his effort while being at UNCG and wish him luck in the future.

5 Days and Counting ...

With the season starting Friday night in Richmond against VCU, I will be posting quite a bit this week. It's time to get back into the swing of blogging and I appreciate everyone that keeps up with the site (or that even checks in very infrequently). I know that blog updates have been erratic over the summer and the early fall. However, I've got my infant son on a good schedule and will be able to posts lots of updates in the evening. So, check back often.

Thanks again, and ...

Go Spartans !!!

UNCG gets 2011 Commitment

According to ESPN.com, 6'-7" F Nick Paulos (Salt Lake City, UT) has committed to play for UNCG starting next season. Paulos is attending prep school this season at Noth Hampton in New Hampshire. UNCG assistant coach Wes Miller also attended this school. He was also looking at Northeastern, Boston College, Utah State, St. Mary's and Creighton.

- ESPN has Nick graded at an 83.

- Here are 2 articles from the New England Recruiting Report. The first article is discussing the talent at North Hampton.

Paulos, a 6’7” forward from Utah, has been one of the team’s most impressive players this fall. Not only does he have an effortless shooting stroke with deep range, but he handles and passes the ball with equal efficiency.

- The second atricle is discussing his recruitment and commitment to UNCG.

“On my visit I had a chance to meet with all of the coaches and I felt really comfortable with the way they’re running things down there,” Paulos told NERR on Thursday night. “They’re starting to allocate a lot of time and money into the basketball program and really making an effort to turn things around.”

- This Deseret News article discusses Paulos and his relationship with former UCLA coach Jim Harrick, who advised Nick to go to prep school to add some weight and mature his game.

- Here are some YouTube videos of Nick.

From Utah Sports



Shooting


Passing


It appears that Nick has a very good stroke from the outside and is very excited to join the UNCG basketball team.

Welcome to the Spartans, Nick !!!