UNCG Men’s Basketball to Battle Wofford in Spartanburg
GREENSBORO, N.C. – After opening Southern Conference (SoCon) play with a victory, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team continues conference play facing Wofford on Saturday at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
GAME INFO
Where: Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
When: Saturday, December 31
Time: 2 p.m.
WATCH (ESPN+)
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
LAST TIME OUT
· The Spartans dominated the second half, as they defeated Western Carolina, 72-47, on Thursday in Cullowhee, N.C. in their SoCon opener.
· Mikeal Brown-Jones paced the Spartans with 19 points.
· Bas Leyte had 11 points.
· Keondre Kennedy and Kobe Langley each chipped in 10 points.
· Kennedy also contributed 11 rebounds for UNCG’s only double-double of the game.
· UNCG has now won the last seven games in Cullowhee, N.C. going back to February 11, 2017.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
UNCG is leading the conference in field goal percentage defense (39.0), scoring defense (64.4), and three-point percentage defense (30.3).
The Spartans are 33rd in the nation in field goal percentage defense.
In the nation, Kobe Langley is 45th in assist/turnover ratio (2.67).
His twin brother, Keyshaun Langley is also ranked in the nation: 53rd in three-point percentage (41.7) and 60th in total three-point field goals made (35).
The Spartans are averaging 70.4 points per game, outscoring their opponents’ 64.4.
They are also outrebounding opponents, 37.9-34.6.
Keondre Kennedy (13.3), Keyshaun (11.9), and Brown-Jones (11.2) are leading the Spartans in points per game.
Kennedy (7.6) and Abdulsalam (6.2) are leading the team in rebounds per game.
UNCG has totaled 40 or more rebounds in five games this season.
SCOUTING WOFFORD
Wofford was voted to finish fifth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Media Poll.
The Terriers dropped their SoCon opener, 73-71, to ETSU on Thursday.
Wofford is 8-6 overall with two 100-plus point wins.
The Terriers are outscoring their opponents 76.1-67.6.
They are also outrebounding opponents 34.4-28.1.
Wofford is leading the conference in turnovers per game (10.9) and fouls per game (12.6).
Among the nation, the Terriers are fourth in fouls per game, 30th in turnovers per game, and 46th in rebound margin (6.2).
Jackson Paveletzke leads the conference in free throw percentage (88.2) and is 39th in the nation.
He is also 37th in free throws (60).
B.J. Mack is leading the team with 15.8 points per game, while Paveletzke is second averaging 15.6 points per game.
Mack and Messiah Jones are pacing the team with 5.4 rebounds per game.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
UNCG opens its home SoCon schedule January 4, hosting defending SoCon champion Chattanooga at the Greensboro Coliseum for a 7 p.m. contest.
This will be the Frontline Workers’ Appreciation and Teddy Bear Toss Game.
The schedule continues January 7 for a 4 p.m. contest against Samford at the Greensboro Coliseum.
It will be the Fan Appreciation Game.
SERIES HISTORY
Wofford leads the all-time series 19-31.
The Terriers defeated the Spartans 66-85 in Spartanburg on January 29, 2021.
The Spartans won the first game of the series, 58-54 on January 10, 2021 in Greensboro.
The two teams have split the series for the last three years.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro