UNCG Men’s Basketball Opens SoCon Play with Western Carolina
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team (6-7) closes out its 2022 schedule by opening Southern Conference (SoCon) play. The Spartans first travel to Cullowhee, N.C. to face the Western Carolina Catamounts (7-6) on Thursday, December 29.
GAME INFO
Where: Ramsey Center | Cullowhee, N.C.
When: Thursday, December 29
Time: 2 p.m.
WATCH (ESPN+)
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
LAST TIME OUT
· The Spartans fell to Eastern Kentucky before the break, 68-64.
· Dante Treacy led UNCG with 15 points.
· Mikeal Brown-Jones tallied 12 points and five rebounds, while Bas Leyte chipped in 10 points.
· Mohammed Abdulsalam had eight points and eight rebounds. He also had the Spartans’ only block of the game.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
UNCG is leading the conference in field goal percentage defense (40.5) and scoring defense (65.8).
In the nation, Kobe Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) is 42nd in assist/turnover ratio (2.79).
His twin brother, Keyshaun Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) is also ranked in the nation: 43rd in three-point percentage (42.7) and 50th in total three-point field goals made (35).
The Spartans are averaging 70.2 points per game, outscoring their opponents’ 65.8.
They are also outrebounding opponents, 37.5-34.6.
Keondre Kennedy (13.5), Keyshaun (12.2), and Brown-Jones (10.6) are leading the Spartans in points per game.
Kennedy (7.3) and Abdulsalam (6.1) are leading the team in rebounds per game.
UNCG has totaled 40 or more rebounds in four games this season.
The Spartans have averaged 40-percent or more in field goal percentage in eight games.
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
The Catamounts are coming off a three-game win streak, including their most recent 117-50 victory over Toccoa Falls on Dec. 20.
Western Carolina was voted to finish eighth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Media Poll.
Western Carolina is outscoring opponents 79.2-69.0.
The Catamounts are also winning the rebounding game, 40.2-34.3 per game.
Claude Tyzhaun is leading the Catamounts, averaging 15.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 0.92 blocks per game.
Tre Jackson (14.6), Vonterius Woolbright (12.4), and Elijah Cupples (10.0) also average double figures.
Jackson is ranked in the top 10 in the nation in two categories: sixth in three pointers per game (3.75) and seventh in total three-point field goals made (45).
Russell Jones, Jr. is averaging 1.76 steals per game to lead the team.
Woolbright guides the team with 4.0 assists per game.
In five games, Western Catamounts have totaled 40 or more rebounds.
Western Carolina leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game (28.54), rebounds per game (40.15), and three-point percentage defense (30.7).
The Catamounts are ranked in the top-20 in the nation in two categories: 13th in three pointers per game (10.1) and 16th in three point attempts per game (27.8).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wofford awaits the Spartans on New Year’s Eve for a 2 p.m. contest to round out the Spartans three-game road stretch.
UNCG opens its home SoCon schedule January 4, hosting defending SoCon champion Chattanooga at the Greensboro Coliseum for a 7 p.m. contest.
The schedule continues January 7 for a 4 p.m. contest against Samford at the Greensboro Coliseum.
SERIES HISTORY
Western Carolina leads the all-time series, 33-28.
UNCG has won 12 of the last 14 matchups in the series.
The Spartans won the last two matchups, 73-64, on February 23, 2022 in Greensboro and 68-49 on February 7, 2022 in Cullowhee.
The Spartans have won the last six games in Cullowhee (77-56, Feb. 22, 2021 | 68-49, Feb. 7, 2022 | 72-58, Jan. 29, 2020 | 69-60, Jan. 17, 2019 | 66-55, Jan. 13, 2018 | 76-68, Feb. 11, 2017).
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro