I'll be back with the ECU preview on Friday. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Turnovers & Hokies Bury the Spartans
UNCG 70 - Virginia Tech 92
News & Record
Roanoke Times
UNCG Athletics
Va Tech Athletics
Positives
Shooting - UNCG shot 56% from the field and 60% from behind the arc. That's a wonderful shooting percentage against a traditionally stingy ACC opponent. If the Spartans can put that shooting percentage together with a much lower turnover number, they will be very successful in the coming games.
Trevis Simpson - The talented freshman made his debut and almost instantly went on an 8-0 run by himself. While Trevis will have to sustain that kind of effort throughout out the game (he went scoreless after his initial 8 points) moving forward, it was a very nice start.
Negatives
Turnovers - I said before the game that UNCG would have to limit its mistakes to compete with a ranked opponent. Instead the Spartans went out gave the ball away 29 times! It is impossible to turn the ball over that many times and win games.
Live ball turnovers - Virginia Tech totalled 20 steals. Thus, 20 times Virginia Tech had the opportunity to have run outs and make easy baskets. This has been a problem through the first few games this season and it needs to get fixed very quickly.
Wrap up
Well, it's a broken record through the first 3 games. There are good things to point out and bad things to point out. Unfortunately, the bad things have outweighed the good ones enough to make sure UNCG came up on the losing side of things.
The Spartans have played some very tough competition up until this point. While the competition will continue to be strong, the next 4 games will be against teams from outside the power 6 conferences. Hopefully, the team has learned some lessons from those first games that will allow them to be successful in the coming ones.
There is definitely time to right the ship. It's early. I'm expecting UNCG the come back strong after Thanksgiving.
Go Spartans !!!
News & Record
Roanoke Times
UNCG Athletics
Va Tech Athletics
Positives
Shooting - UNCG shot 56% from the field and 60% from behind the arc. That's a wonderful shooting percentage against a traditionally stingy ACC opponent. If the Spartans can put that shooting percentage together with a much lower turnover number, they will be very successful in the coming games.
Trevis Simpson - The talented freshman made his debut and almost instantly went on an 8-0 run by himself. While Trevis will have to sustain that kind of effort throughout out the game (he went scoreless after his initial 8 points) moving forward, it was a very nice start.
Negatives
Turnovers - I said before the game that UNCG would have to limit its mistakes to compete with a ranked opponent. Instead the Spartans went out gave the ball away 29 times! It is impossible to turn the ball over that many times and win games.
Live ball turnovers - Virginia Tech totalled 20 steals. Thus, 20 times Virginia Tech had the opportunity to have run outs and make easy baskets. This has been a problem through the first few games this season and it needs to get fixed very quickly.
Wrap up
Well, it's a broken record through the first 3 games. There are good things to point out and bad things to point out. Unfortunately, the bad things have outweighed the good ones enough to make sure UNCG came up on the losing side of things.
The Spartans have played some very tough competition up until this point. While the competition will continue to be strong, the next 4 games will be against teams from outside the power 6 conferences. Hopefully, the team has learned some lessons from those first games that will allow them to be successful in the coming ones.
There is definitely time to right the ship. It's early. I'm expecting UNCG the come back strong after Thanksgiving.
Go Spartans !!!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
#24 Virginia Tech (1-1) @ UNCG (0-2)
When: Sunday, November 21 1 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: Comcast SportsNet/ NESN
Va Tech Athletics
Tech Hoops
Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG was blitzed by Florida State's press in a game that was basically lost over an 8 minute span the covered some of the 1st and 2nd halves. The Seminoles defeated UNCG 97-73. David Williams led 3 Spartans in double figures
- For the second straight year, UNCG has opened up the season 0-2. Last season the Spartans started 0-3 before defeating USC-Upstate in their 4th game.
- Returning starter Kyle Randall saw his first action against FSU, although it was in a backup role. Randall did not play in the opening game at VCU for unknown reasons. Randall is the leading returning scorer for UNCG.
- Freshman Trevis Simpson (shoulder) and redshirt freshman Taylor Hoffer (ankle) have yet to play this season due to injuries.
- Sunday's game will be the second of 7 UNCG contests against ACC competition. The Spartans still only have 1 win against the ACC (@ Ga Tech 11/9/07).
- Last season, Va Tech needed a late second half charge to defeat UNCG 59-46 in Blacksburg. Kyle Randall led UNCG with 10 points.
- So far this season, Brandon Evans leads the team in scoring (15.5) and David Williams leads the team rebounding (6.5). Drew Parker leads the team in assists (5.5).
- UNCG is shooting 42.2% from the field, 35.5% from behind the arc and 71.4% from the free throw line.
Hokie Notes:
- On Tuesday, #3 Kansas State used an 8-0 run midway through the second half to create some separation from the #21 Hokies. Kansas State went on to win the game 73-57. Malcolm Delaney led VT with 22 points in a game that saw the Hokies shoot only 34.5%.
- Virginia Tech was picked to finish second in the preseason ACC poll by the media. Delaney was selected to the all-ACC 1st team.
- Last season, Delaney led the ACC in scoring and was named to the All-ACC 1st team. He was picked as a 4th team All-American and was named to ths year's watch list for the Wooden Award (given to the best player in the nation).
- For their first 2 games (Kansas State and Campbell) Va Tech is averaging just 12 assists against 18 turnovers.
- Currently, Delaney (21.0 pts and 3.5 assists) and Dorenzo Hudson (11.0 pts) are the only Virginia Tech players averaging in double figures. Jeff Allen leads the team in rebounding (9.5) and assists (4.0).
- For the season, Va Tech is shooting 38.3% from the field, 27.8% from behind the arc and 67.3% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts
Sunday's game will match up 2 teams that have show an inability to take care of the basketball. UNCG is averaging 24 turnovers a game and VT is averaging 18. The only thing the Spartans can say is that the two teams they have played thus far have trapped and pressed all game long. However, UNCG must do a better job of taking care of the ball. They also must force Virginia Tech to make substantial mistakes.
UNCG played the Hokies tough in Blacksburg last season and have showed stretches of promise this season. The defense will need to get better to play with ACC competition. The best chance UNCG has tomorrow is to get Va Tech into a sloppy and fast paced game. The Spartans have been solid on the offensive end when they have been in situations that allowed their athleticism to shine.
As with all quality opponents from the power 6 conferences, UNCG will have to play mistake free basketball to have a chance. I think the quicker pace, coupled with some fortunate boounces, gives the Spartans their best chance to get the program's second win against an ACC opponent.
Go Spartans !!!
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: Comcast SportsNet/ NESN
Va Tech Athletics
Tech Hoops
Spartan Notes:
- Last time out, UNCG was blitzed by Florida State's press in a game that was basically lost over an 8 minute span the covered some of the 1st and 2nd halves. The Seminoles defeated UNCG 97-73. David Williams led 3 Spartans in double figures
- For the second straight year, UNCG has opened up the season 0-2. Last season the Spartans started 0-3 before defeating USC-Upstate in their 4th game.
- Returning starter Kyle Randall saw his first action against FSU, although it was in a backup role. Randall did not play in the opening game at VCU for unknown reasons. Randall is the leading returning scorer for UNCG.
- Freshman Trevis Simpson (shoulder) and redshirt freshman Taylor Hoffer (ankle) have yet to play this season due to injuries.
- Sunday's game will be the second of 7 UNCG contests against ACC competition. The Spartans still only have 1 win against the ACC (@ Ga Tech 11/9/07).
- Last season, Va Tech needed a late second half charge to defeat UNCG 59-46 in Blacksburg. Kyle Randall led UNCG with 10 points.
- So far this season, Brandon Evans leads the team in scoring (15.5) and David Williams leads the team rebounding (6.5). Drew Parker leads the team in assists (5.5).
- UNCG is shooting 42.2% from the field, 35.5% from behind the arc and 71.4% from the free throw line.
Hokie Notes:
- On Tuesday, #3 Kansas State used an 8-0 run midway through the second half to create some separation from the #21 Hokies. Kansas State went on to win the game 73-57. Malcolm Delaney led VT with 22 points in a game that saw the Hokies shoot only 34.5%.
- Virginia Tech was picked to finish second in the preseason ACC poll by the media. Delaney was selected to the all-ACC 1st team.
- Last season, Delaney led the ACC in scoring and was named to the All-ACC 1st team. He was picked as a 4th team All-American and was named to ths year's watch list for the Wooden Award (given to the best player in the nation).
- For their first 2 games (Kansas State and Campbell) Va Tech is averaging just 12 assists against 18 turnovers.
- Currently, Delaney (21.0 pts and 3.5 assists) and Dorenzo Hudson (11.0 pts) are the only Virginia Tech players averaging in double figures. Jeff Allen leads the team in rebounding (9.5) and assists (4.0).
- For the season, Va Tech is shooting 38.3% from the field, 27.8% from behind the arc and 67.3% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts
Sunday's game will match up 2 teams that have show an inability to take care of the basketball. UNCG is averaging 24 turnovers a game and VT is averaging 18. The only thing the Spartans can say is that the two teams they have played thus far have trapped and pressed all game long. However, UNCG must do a better job of taking care of the ball. They also must force Virginia Tech to make substantial mistakes.
UNCG played the Hokies tough in Blacksburg last season and have showed stretches of promise this season. The defense will need to get better to play with ACC competition. The best chance UNCG has tomorrow is to get Va Tech into a sloppy and fast paced game. The Spartans have been solid on the offensive end when they have been in situations that allowed their athleticism to shine.
As with all quality opponents from the power 6 conferences, UNCG will have to play mistake free basketball to have a chance. I think the quicker pace, coupled with some fortunate boounces, gives the Spartans their best chance to get the program's second win against an ACC opponent.
Go Spartans !!!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Singleton's Big Day Helps Noles to Rout of Spartans
UNCG 73 - FSU 97
News & Record
Tallahassee Democrat
UNCG Athletics
FSU Athletics
By the time the Spartans got around to taking their first shot from the field, they had already accumulated 5 giveaways. At the under 12 minute media timeout, UNCG was shooting 3 for 12 and had 7 turnovers. But if there was any doubt about the game's outcome, FSU used a 25-5 run over an 8 minute span to put it away. Even though 3 Spartans wound up with double figures, it was the impressive stat line of 2009-2010 ACC defensive player of the year Chris Singleton that stood out. Singleton had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals. He was the first player in ACC history to record a triple-double with steals being one of the double digit categories. David Williams led UNCG with 16 points.
Positives
- Cody Henegar - I really like the determination of this guy. His very first shot attempt got really smothered and yet he continued to take the ball up with reckless abandon. As I was reminded during the game, going aggressively to the basket can only lead to 3 outcomes and 2 of them are good. 12 points and 9 rebounds are a very good stat line for a player making their collegiate home debut.
- Rebounding - UNCG only lost the overall rebounding battle to a much larger FSU team by 3, 42-39. The Spartans managed to get 20 offensive rebounds to the Seminoles 17. Through 2 games this year, the rebounding numbers have been a big positive. Especially considering that UNCG lost Ben Stywall.
Negatives
- Turnovers - UNCG gave the ball away 26 times (13 1st half, 13 2nd half). What compounded the problem is that FSU turned many of those miscues into run outs and easy baskets. To compete with teams on this level, the Spartans can't afford to give away points. These mistakes directly led to the Seminoles shooting over 50% for the game.
- Shooting - I had to go and jinx the team. I went and praised the way they shot the ball at VCU on Friday and it came back to bite me. The Spartans shot just 30% in the first half and couldn't seem to throw a ball in the ocean in the first 10 minutes of the game. Now they did get it together in the second half and shoot a nice 46%, but it was way too late by then. I'm very interested to see how the team percentages look after a few more games. Hopefully this was just a case of first half nerves and not an underlying problem.
Wrap Up
Well, it was a mixed bag that makes drawing any real conclusions tough. I thought the Spartans didn't handle the press very well, didn't play particularly good defense and looked lost during half court offensive sets. I thought some of the player rotations were odd and mismatched, and I thought there were some poor shots taken.
However, I thought UNCG looked much more athletic than they have in the past. I thought they looked very good on fast break opportunities. I was impressed with some of the new guys. Aloysius Henry will be very good when he can avoid foul problems. I can see David Williams turning into a match up nightmare for SoCon coaches.
I also just walked away impressed with Florida State's ability to defend from every position on the floor. I truly believe that FSU can compete for a spot in top four of the ACC.
So, I guess it's hard to criticize UNCG for competing hard and coming up short. Let's hope they can keep taking these experiences and put them to good use when SoCon play comes around soon.
Go Spartans !!!
News & Record
Tallahassee Democrat
UNCG Athletics
FSU Athletics
By the time the Spartans got around to taking their first shot from the field, they had already accumulated 5 giveaways. At the under 12 minute media timeout, UNCG was shooting 3 for 12 and had 7 turnovers. But if there was any doubt about the game's outcome, FSU used a 25-5 run over an 8 minute span to put it away. Even though 3 Spartans wound up with double figures, it was the impressive stat line of 2009-2010 ACC defensive player of the year Chris Singleton that stood out. Singleton had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals. He was the first player in ACC history to record a triple-double with steals being one of the double digit categories. David Williams led UNCG with 16 points.
Positives
- Cody Henegar - I really like the determination of this guy. His very first shot attempt got really smothered and yet he continued to take the ball up with reckless abandon. As I was reminded during the game, going aggressively to the basket can only lead to 3 outcomes and 2 of them are good. 12 points and 9 rebounds are a very good stat line for a player making their collegiate home debut.
- Rebounding - UNCG only lost the overall rebounding battle to a much larger FSU team by 3, 42-39. The Spartans managed to get 20 offensive rebounds to the Seminoles 17. Through 2 games this year, the rebounding numbers have been a big positive. Especially considering that UNCG lost Ben Stywall.
Negatives
- Turnovers - UNCG gave the ball away 26 times (13 1st half, 13 2nd half). What compounded the problem is that FSU turned many of those miscues into run outs and easy baskets. To compete with teams on this level, the Spartans can't afford to give away points. These mistakes directly led to the Seminoles shooting over 50% for the game.
- Shooting - I had to go and jinx the team. I went and praised the way they shot the ball at VCU on Friday and it came back to bite me. The Spartans shot just 30% in the first half and couldn't seem to throw a ball in the ocean in the first 10 minutes of the game. Now they did get it together in the second half and shoot a nice 46%, but it was way too late by then. I'm very interested to see how the team percentages look after a few more games. Hopefully this was just a case of first half nerves and not an underlying problem.
Wrap Up
Well, it was a mixed bag that makes drawing any real conclusions tough. I thought the Spartans didn't handle the press very well, didn't play particularly good defense and looked lost during half court offensive sets. I thought some of the player rotations were odd and mismatched, and I thought there were some poor shots taken.
However, I thought UNCG looked much more athletic than they have in the past. I thought they looked very good on fast break opportunities. I was impressed with some of the new guys. Aloysius Henry will be very good when he can avoid foul problems. I can see David Williams turning into a match up nightmare for SoCon coaches.
I also just walked away impressed with Florida State's ability to defend from every position on the floor. I truly believe that FSU can compete for a spot in top four of the ACC.
So, I guess it's hard to criticize UNCG for competing hard and coming up short. Let's hope they can keep taking these experiences and put them to good use when SoCon play comes around soon.
Go Spartans !!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Florida State (1-0) @ UNCG (0-1)
When: Sunday November 12 3:30 pm
Where Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: FSN-South & FSN-Florida
Florida State Athletics
Scalp 'Em
Tomahawk Nation
FSU Forum - Scout
FSU Forum - Rivals
Spartan Notes:
- UNCG dropped it's opening night game at Virginia Commonwealth on Friday night 101-86. Brandon Evans led the Spartans with 26 points. Korey Van Dussen chipped in with a career high 18 points. Trailing throughout most of the game, UNCG made a late run in the second half to get the VCU trimmed down to 9 with a little over 3 minutes remaining. A 9-0 response from the Rams put the game out of reach.
- Four Spartans ended opening night in double figure scoring. In addition the Evans and KVD, Aaron Brackett (12 pts) and Aloysius Henry (10 pts) scored well.
- True freshman Drew Parker had a very good stat line in his first college game. Facing a ferocious full-cour press, Parker handed out a team best 8 assists with only 3 turnovers.
- Kyle Randall (suspension), Taylor Hoffer (ankle injury) and Trevis Simpson (shoulder injury) did not play in Friday night's game.
- Sunday's game will be the first of 7 Spartan games that will be on TV this season. The FSU-UNCG contest will be carried on FSN-South and FSN-Florida.
- Evans lead UNCG this season in scoring (26 points). David Williams leads the team in rebounding (8) and Parker leads the team in assists (8).
- So far this season, UNCG is shooting 46.6% from the field, 43.8% from behind the arc and 75.8% from the free throw line.
Seminole Notes:
- Florida State used a second half run to pull away from North Florida on Friday night. Junior college transfer Bernard James (15 pts & 10 rebs) led 4 Seminole players in double figures. Freshman Ian Miller led FSU with 3 assists on the night.
- The Seminoles played 2 preseason exhibition games earlier this year. They beat Rollins (95-74) and Mid Continent (108-51).
- The ACC media selected FSU to finish in 5th place in their preseason poll. Forward Chris Singleton was selected 1st All-ACC as well.
- Singleton, the ACC Defensive player of the year last season, was named as one one of the top 50 candidates for the Wooden Award that is given the best player in the country every year.
- Florida State is in the midst of a 4 games on 7 days bonanza. FSU plays Gardner-Webb at home on Tuesday and then plays at Florida International on Thursday.
-So far on the young season, James is leading FSU in scoring (15 pts) and rebounding (10). Miller leads in assists (3).
- For the year, FSU is shooting 42.9% from the field, 27.3% from behind the arc and 65.2% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts:
A lot like Friday, I really have no idea what to expect in this game. UNCG played a lot better than I expected at Virginia Commonwealth with a lot of youth. However, this is great competition that the Spartans are facing.
FSU had a bit of an off night on Friday. I'm afraid we might see a team that got to shake off it's rust in game #1 and now comes to play UNCG with some serious focus. What I'm really hoping for is that everyone is back playing today. If UNCG can be within single digits with less than 10 to play, this game could be very interesting. I hope there's a good home crowd that can fill up the Coliseum with some energy.
Go Spartans !!!
Where Greensboro Coliseum (7,617/23,500)
TV: FSN-South & FSN-Florida
Florida State Athletics
Scalp 'Em
Tomahawk Nation
FSU Forum - Scout
FSU Forum - Rivals
Spartan Notes:
- UNCG dropped it's opening night game at Virginia Commonwealth on Friday night 101-86. Brandon Evans led the Spartans with 26 points. Korey Van Dussen chipped in with a career high 18 points. Trailing throughout most of the game, UNCG made a late run in the second half to get the VCU trimmed down to 9 with a little over 3 minutes remaining. A 9-0 response from the Rams put the game out of reach.
- Four Spartans ended opening night in double figure scoring. In addition the Evans and KVD, Aaron Brackett (12 pts) and Aloysius Henry (10 pts) scored well.
- True freshman Drew Parker had a very good stat line in his first college game. Facing a ferocious full-cour press, Parker handed out a team best 8 assists with only 3 turnovers.
- Kyle Randall (suspension), Taylor Hoffer (ankle injury) and Trevis Simpson (shoulder injury) did not play in Friday night's game.
- Sunday's game will be the first of 7 Spartan games that will be on TV this season. The FSU-UNCG contest will be carried on FSN-South and FSN-Florida.
- Evans lead UNCG this season in scoring (26 points). David Williams leads the team in rebounding (8) and Parker leads the team in assists (8).
- So far this season, UNCG is shooting 46.6% from the field, 43.8% from behind the arc and 75.8% from the free throw line.
Seminole Notes:
- Florida State used a second half run to pull away from North Florida on Friday night. Junior college transfer Bernard James (15 pts & 10 rebs) led 4 Seminole players in double figures. Freshman Ian Miller led FSU with 3 assists on the night.
- The Seminoles played 2 preseason exhibition games earlier this year. They beat Rollins (95-74) and Mid Continent (108-51).
- The ACC media selected FSU to finish in 5th place in their preseason poll. Forward Chris Singleton was selected 1st All-ACC as well.
- Singleton, the ACC Defensive player of the year last season, was named as one one of the top 50 candidates for the Wooden Award that is given the best player in the country every year.
- Florida State is in the midst of a 4 games on 7 days bonanza. FSU plays Gardner-Webb at home on Tuesday and then plays at Florida International on Thursday.
-So far on the young season, James is leading FSU in scoring (15 pts) and rebounding (10). Miller leads in assists (3).
- For the year, FSU is shooting 42.9% from the field, 27.3% from behind the arc and 65.2% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts:
A lot like Friday, I really have no idea what to expect in this game. UNCG played a lot better than I expected at Virginia Commonwealth with a lot of youth. However, this is great competition that the Spartans are facing.
FSU had a bit of an off night on Friday. I'm afraid we might see a team that got to shake off it's rust in game #1 and now comes to play UNCG with some serious focus. What I'm really hoping for is that everyone is back playing today. If UNCG can be within single digits with less than 10 to play, this game could be very interesting. I hope there's a good home crowd that can fill up the Coliseum with some energy.
Go Spartans !!!
Rams win Despite Big Night from Evans
UNCG 86 - VCU 101
News & Record
Richmond Times-Dispatch
UNCG Athletics
VCU Athletics
Brandon Evans had a career high 26 points and Korey Van Dussen scored a career high 18 points Friday night against VCU. However, it wasn't enough to overcome 3 VCU seniors combining for 65 points (Joey Rodriguez 22, Jamie Skeen 22, Brandon Rozzell 23). Rodriguez also broke the school record for assists in a game with 17.
Trailing throughout most the game, UNCG managed to ship down the Ram lead to single digits with 3:38 remaining. However, this was as close as the Spartans would get as VCU responded with 9 straight points to put the game away.
In addition to Trevis Simpson and Taylor Hoffer being held out of the game with injuries, starting point guard Kyle Randall was held out of the game for unspecified reasons.
Positives
86 points - I was really scared that UNCG didn't have the fire power to score over 70 points this year. However, it took the Spartans only one game to prove me wrong. This new group of players seemed to not be timid in a very hostile environment. We all know that Evans and KVD have some scoring ability. But it was nice to see Henry (10 pts), Brackett (12 pts) and even David Williams (7 pts & 8 rebs) not shy away from the competition.
Drew Parker - Drew had 8 assists and 3 turnovers in his first college game. VCU pressed UNCG the whole game. So, the fact that Parker was able to show poise and find his teammates often was a great sign.
Shooting - The Spartans were a bad shooting team last year. That's a fact. This UNCG may not be a good shooting team either. Time will tell. For one game, though, UNCG shot very well in all phases of the game. 46% from the field, 44% from 3 point range and 76% is a very good night. These are the kinds of percentages that a team must shoot against a trapping/pressing team to make them pay when they don't force a turnover.
Negatives
Turnovers - Despite piling up 20 assists, UNCG gave the ball away 21 times. With the way UNCG was shooting the ball and getting to the free throw line, just a few extra possessions could have really been big. The bight side is that outside of maybe Maryland or Clemson, I don't think UNCG will see a better press this season. So, to handle it as well as they did (minus the starting PG) is a testament to the raw skill and ability of the Spartan guards.
Offensive Rebounds - Giving up 18 offensive rebounds to a team that's not much taller than UNCG is disappointing. This is another mid-major team, with mid-major size (although they have some bulk to their size). Rebounding is as much about attitude as it is about skill. Just ask Ben Stywall or Kyle Hines. So this year's version of UNCG is going to have to get tougher on the boards or they really will find themselves in trouble when they play some teams with size advantages.
Wrap up
All-in-all not a bad way to start the season. I would be have loved to seen a Spartan win. But realistically this team had too many questions coming into the game to be disappointed with this outcome. Now let's see how it goes on Sunday against Florida State.
News & Record
Richmond Times-Dispatch
UNCG Athletics
VCU Athletics
Brandon Evans had a career high 26 points and Korey Van Dussen scored a career high 18 points Friday night against VCU. However, it wasn't enough to overcome 3 VCU seniors combining for 65 points (Joey Rodriguez 22, Jamie Skeen 22, Brandon Rozzell 23). Rodriguez also broke the school record for assists in a game with 17.
Trailing throughout most the game, UNCG managed to ship down the Ram lead to single digits with 3:38 remaining. However, this was as close as the Spartans would get as VCU responded with 9 straight points to put the game away.
In addition to Trevis Simpson and Taylor Hoffer being held out of the game with injuries, starting point guard Kyle Randall was held out of the game for unspecified reasons.
Positives
86 points - I was really scared that UNCG didn't have the fire power to score over 70 points this year. However, it took the Spartans only one game to prove me wrong. This new group of players seemed to not be timid in a very hostile environment. We all know that Evans and KVD have some scoring ability. But it was nice to see Henry (10 pts), Brackett (12 pts) and even David Williams (7 pts & 8 rebs) not shy away from the competition.
Drew Parker - Drew had 8 assists and 3 turnovers in his first college game. VCU pressed UNCG the whole game. So, the fact that Parker was able to show poise and find his teammates often was a great sign.
Shooting - The Spartans were a bad shooting team last year. That's a fact. This UNCG may not be a good shooting team either. Time will tell. For one game, though, UNCG shot very well in all phases of the game. 46% from the field, 44% from 3 point range and 76% is a very good night. These are the kinds of percentages that a team must shoot against a trapping/pressing team to make them pay when they don't force a turnover.
Negatives
Turnovers - Despite piling up 20 assists, UNCG gave the ball away 21 times. With the way UNCG was shooting the ball and getting to the free throw line, just a few extra possessions could have really been big. The bight side is that outside of maybe Maryland or Clemson, I don't think UNCG will see a better press this season. So, to handle it as well as they did (minus the starting PG) is a testament to the raw skill and ability of the Spartan guards.
Offensive Rebounds - Giving up 18 offensive rebounds to a team that's not much taller than UNCG is disappointing. This is another mid-major team, with mid-major size (although they have some bulk to their size). Rebounding is as much about attitude as it is about skill. Just ask Ben Stywall or Kyle Hines. So this year's version of UNCG is going to have to get tougher on the boards or they really will find themselves in trouble when they play some teams with size advantages.
Wrap up
All-in-all not a bad way to start the season. I would be have loved to seen a Spartan win. But realistically this team had too many questions coming into the game to be disappointed with this outcome. Now let's see how it goes on Sunday against Florida State.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
UNCG (0-0) @ VCU (0-0)
When: Friday, November 12 7:30 pm
Where: Siegel Center (7,500)
TV: None
VCU Athletics
VCU Ram Nation
Forum
CAA Zone - VCU
Spartan Notes:
- UNCG finished last season with a record of 8-23. The Spartans won 3 of their last 5 contests, though. 2009-2010 was UNCG's first season playing full time in the historic Greensboro Coliseum.
- Pete Brown, Mikko Koivisto, Kendall Toney, Montel Smith and Ben Stywall are all gone from this year's squad after graduation. Walk-on Mike Hardiman also graduated. Redshirt Sophmore DeAngelo Jackson transfered to College of Idaho.
- Stywall was a 1st team All-SoCon selection last season after averaging 14.3 points and 10.4 rebounds. He set the UNCG single season record for double-doubles (15).
- UNCG has a huge group of newcomers to this year's team. Five true freshmen join redshirt freshman Taylor Hoffer and JUCO transfers Aloysius Henry and Aaron Brackett.
- The Spartans did not play an exhibition game this season. Instead the coaches chose to play 2 closed scrimmages against Radford and UNC. Although the coaches aren't allow to discuss those scrimmages, it was revealed that UNC really got the better of UNCG.
- UNCG will be without the services of Freshmen Trevis Simpson on Friday night. Simpson is still recovering for a seperated shoulder.
- All SoCon freshman selection Kyle Randall is the team's leading returning scorer (9.5) and assists leader (2.6). Senior Brandon Evans is the team's leading returning rebounder (4.3).
- Last season, UNCG shot 38.6% from the field, 28.7% from behind the arc and 69.8% from the free throw line.
Ram Notes:
- The Rams finished last season 27-9. VCU went 5-0 in the post season College Basketball Invitational to take home the title.
-First year coach Shaka Smart did a tremendous job of maintaining the same kind of success that the Rams enjoyed under previous coach Anthony Grant. Smart was hired after Grant left to take over at Alabama. Smart's 27 wins were the best among all first-year head coaches last season. He was previously an assistant at Akron, Clemson and Florida before taking over at VCU.
- 2 VCU players have been drafted in the 1st round of the NBA draft in the previous 2 years. After all-everything guard Eric Maynor was selected by Utah after the 2008-2009 season, Larry Sanders was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks this past summer. Sanders was an All-CAA selection and the CAA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2009-2010 season.
- VCU defeated Virginia Union in their only exhibition game on November 4 in Richmond, 71-56. Jamie Skeen and Brandon Rozzell led VCU with 10 points. Senior guard Joey Rodriguez did not play in the game. The Rams led 41-19 at the half, before watching Virginia Union go on a 16-4 run. However, the Rams righted their ship to hang on and get the win.
- The Rams were picked to finish 3rd the CAA preseason coach's poll. Rodriguez was selected 1st team All-CAA.
- Rodriguez is the team's leading returning scorer (12.9). He also led the Rams in assists (5.8) last season. Bradford Burgess averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds.
- Last season, the Rams shot 46.2% from the field, 36.6% from behind the arc and 70.4% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts:
So here it is ... "OOC Schedule Gauntlet" version 2.0. I'm afraid this version will be even more of a meat grinder than version 1.0.
After one quick glance at the Rams stats from last season, all I could think of was Richmond. VCU's stats are eerily similar to the same stats the Spiders boasted on their way to getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. I think that if VCU puts up these kinds of numbers in 2010-2011, they likely get the same kind of reward.
Coach Dement has said repeatedly in interviews that this Spartan squad had a lot of growing to do and that he didn't expect them to be very good at the season's start. Ben Stywall will be hard to replace. He always seemed to be in the right place to get rebounds and clean up bad possessions. The Spartans certainly replaced the departed seniors with an upgrade in talent. But with the talent comes youth. That's gonna be a problem.
I expect VCU to hit UNCG with a Dayton/Richmond/Akron style blitz right out of the gate. It'll be interesting to see how the new Spartans handle the blitz with the raucous home crowd. While I don't expect miracles right away, I'm looking for poise and improvement. The Spartans won more games in 2009-2010 than they did the previous season. Let's improve on those numbers this season.
It's been a long summer. Thank God it's basketball season.
Go Spartans !!!
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Spartan Notes:
- UNCG finished last season with a record of 8-23. The Spartans won 3 of their last 5 contests, though. 2009-2010 was UNCG's first season playing full time in the historic Greensboro Coliseum.
- Pete Brown, Mikko Koivisto, Kendall Toney, Montel Smith and Ben Stywall are all gone from this year's squad after graduation. Walk-on Mike Hardiman also graduated. Redshirt Sophmore DeAngelo Jackson transfered to College of Idaho.
- Stywall was a 1st team All-SoCon selection last season after averaging 14.3 points and 10.4 rebounds. He set the UNCG single season record for double-doubles (15).
- UNCG has a huge group of newcomers to this year's team. Five true freshmen join redshirt freshman Taylor Hoffer and JUCO transfers Aloysius Henry and Aaron Brackett.
- The Spartans did not play an exhibition game this season. Instead the coaches chose to play 2 closed scrimmages against Radford and UNC. Although the coaches aren't allow to discuss those scrimmages, it was revealed that UNC really got the better of UNCG.
- UNCG will be without the services of Freshmen Trevis Simpson on Friday night. Simpson is still recovering for a seperated shoulder.
- All SoCon freshman selection Kyle Randall is the team's leading returning scorer (9.5) and assists leader (2.6). Senior Brandon Evans is the team's leading returning rebounder (4.3).
- Last season, UNCG shot 38.6% from the field, 28.7% from behind the arc and 69.8% from the free throw line.
Ram Notes:
- The Rams finished last season 27-9. VCU went 5-0 in the post season College Basketball Invitational to take home the title.
-First year coach Shaka Smart did a tremendous job of maintaining the same kind of success that the Rams enjoyed under previous coach Anthony Grant. Smart was hired after Grant left to take over at Alabama. Smart's 27 wins were the best among all first-year head coaches last season. He was previously an assistant at Akron, Clemson and Florida before taking over at VCU.
- 2 VCU players have been drafted in the 1st round of the NBA draft in the previous 2 years. After all-everything guard Eric Maynor was selected by Utah after the 2008-2009 season, Larry Sanders was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks this past summer. Sanders was an All-CAA selection and the CAA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2009-2010 season.
- VCU defeated Virginia Union in their only exhibition game on November 4 in Richmond, 71-56. Jamie Skeen and Brandon Rozzell led VCU with 10 points. Senior guard Joey Rodriguez did not play in the game. The Rams led 41-19 at the half, before watching Virginia Union go on a 16-4 run. However, the Rams righted their ship to hang on and get the win.
- The Rams were picked to finish 3rd the CAA preseason coach's poll. Rodriguez was selected 1st team All-CAA.
- Rodriguez is the team's leading returning scorer (12.9). He also led the Rams in assists (5.8) last season. Bradford Burgess averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds.
- Last season, the Rams shot 46.2% from the field, 36.6% from behind the arc and 70.4% from the free throw line.
My Thoughts:
So here it is ... "OOC Schedule Gauntlet" version 2.0. I'm afraid this version will be even more of a meat grinder than version 1.0.
After one quick glance at the Rams stats from last season, all I could think of was Richmond. VCU's stats are eerily similar to the same stats the Spiders boasted on their way to getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. I think that if VCU puts up these kinds of numbers in 2010-2011, they likely get the same kind of reward.
Coach Dement has said repeatedly in interviews that this Spartan squad had a lot of growing to do and that he didn't expect them to be very good at the season's start. Ben Stywall will be hard to replace. He always seemed to be in the right place to get rebounds and clean up bad possessions. The Spartans certainly replaced the departed seniors with an upgrade in talent. But with the talent comes youth. That's gonna be a problem.
I expect VCU to hit UNCG with a Dayton/Richmond/Akron style blitz right out of the gate. It'll be interesting to see how the new Spartans handle the blitz with the raucous home crowd. While I don't expect miracles right away, I'm looking for poise and improvement. The Spartans won more games in 2009-2010 than they did the previous season. Let's improve on those numbers this season.
It's been a long summer. Thank God it's basketball season.
Go Spartans !!!
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