UNCG Men’s Basketball to Face No. 21/24 Texas for First Time in Program History
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team returns to play and will conclude the 2023 calendar year with its second ranked battle of its schedule with No. 21/24 Texas. The Spartans and Longhorns will be facing off for the first time in program history tomorrow, Friday, December 29 at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST at the Moody Center.
This will be just the second time that the Spartans have competed in the state of Texas. UNCG has a 4-2 overall record against teams from Texas.
UNCG is 9-3 overall this season, while Texas is 9-2. The Spartans are currently ranked No. 14 in the latest collegeinsider.com Men’s Mid Major Top 25® and No. 21 in the Field of 68 Cinderella Top 25 poll. The Longhorns are currently No. 21 in the latest AP poll and No. 24 in the latest US TODAY Sports Coaches poll.
GAME INFO
Where: Moody Center | Austin, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 19 | 7 p.m. CST | 8 p.m. EST
Watch: (Longhorn Network) WATCH | Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
UNCG extended its home win streak to five with a 135-57 victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg on December 21 in Fleming Gym.
The Spartans broke many single game records including: most points scored in a game (135), largest lead at the half (42), most field goals (55), most rebounds (68).
UNCG also matched the records for most assists (32) and largest margin of victory (78).
Eight Spartans scored double figures.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Currently, the Spartans are ranked nationally in the top 50 in five categories: 13th in three pointers per game (10.5), 14th in three point percentage (39.5), 15th in turnovers per game (9.6), 21st in assist/turnover ratio (1.62), 32nd in effective field goal percentage (0.563), 33rd in field goal percentage defense (39.0), 34th in defensive rebounds per game (28.83), 43rd in three point attempts per game (26.6), and 47th in scoring defense (82.0).
UNCG is outscoring its opponents 82.0-69.9 and is averaging 6.3 steals per game compared to its foes who are averaging 5.1 per game.
They are leading the Southern Conference (SoCon) in assist/turnover ratio, field goal percentage defense, and turnovers per game.
Kobe Langley is nationally ranked 15th in assist/turnover ratio (3.55), 20th in assists (71), 22nd in assists per game (5.9), 38th in steals (26), and 44th in steals per game (2.17).
Mikeal Brown-Jones is nationally ranked 34th in points per game (19.4) and 47th in field goal percentage (57.7).
Donovan Atwell is nationally ranked 28th in three pointers per game (3.00), 28th in total three point field goals made (36), and 50th in three point percentage (41.4).
Keyshaun Langley was named SoCon Player of the Week (Nov. 20), and Brown-Jones earned the honor on November 27.
The Spartans were voted to finish second in the SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll and fourth in the Media Poll. They received one first-place vote in the Coaches’ Poll.
Keyshaun and Brown-Jones were selected to the SoCon Preseason All-SoCon team.
The Spartans return eight from last year’s roster, while adding three transfers and three freshmen.
SCOUTING THE LONGHORNS
Texas was voted to finish third in the Big 12 Preseason Poll.
The Longhorns received a No. 18 AP Preseason Poll ranking.
Max Abmas was named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, NABC Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List, and Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List.
Abmas was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, while Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter, and Dillon Mitchell were selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team.
Mitchell is nationally ranked 10th in defensive rebounds per game (7.55), 22nd in rebounds per game (9.7), and 23rd in double doubles (5).
Abmas is pacing the Longhorns with 17.7 points per game.
Four more from Texas are averaging double figures this season, including Dylan Disu (14.0), Tyrese Hunter (11.7), Mitchell (11.6), and Kadin Shedrick (11.3).
Nationally, Texas is ranked in the top 50 of seven categories: 16th in blocks per game (5.6), 25th in field goal percentage (49.3), 29th in assists per game (17.3), 35th in fastbreak points (15.27), 39th in winning percentage (81.8), 44th in effective field goal percentage (0.553), and 46th in scoring margin (12.8).
TICKETS FOR HOME SPARTAN GAMES
To purchase tickets for any home games for the 2023-24 UNCG men’s basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
UP NEXT
The Spartans will begin SoCon play at the start of the 2024 calendar year. They will host defending SoCon Tournament Champions Furman on Wednesday, January 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
They will follow that game with hosting ETSU on Saturday, January 6 at the Greensboro Coliseum at 4:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro