UNCG Men’s Basketball Begins SoCon Play Hosting Furman on Wednesday
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team will begin 2024 in the Greensboro Coliseum hosting The Southern Conference (SoCon) opponent and reigning champions the Furman Paladins on Wednesday, January 3 with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
UNCG is 9-4 overall this season, while Furman is 6-7 overall. The Spartans are 5-0 this season when playing at home. UNCG was last 5-0 to start the home slate in 2021-22.
This will be the 45th meeting between the two teams, where UNCG is maintaining a 23-21 advantage. The two teams have split the regular season home-and-home series in each of the last five seasons. Last year the Spartans rallied to take an 88-80 overtime victory in Greenville, while the Paladins claimed a 69-57 victory in the rematch in Greensboro.
GAME INFO
Where: Greensboro Coliseum | Greensboro, N.C.
When: Wednesday, January 3 | 7 p.m.
Watch: (ESPN+) WATCH | Live Stats
Promotions:
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LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
UNCG faced its second ranked opponent of its schedule in No. 21 Texas on December 29, falling 72-37 in Austin, Texas.
Keyshaun Langley paced the Spartans with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Akrum Ahemed was second on the team with six points and three rebounds.
Jalen Breath led the game with eight rebounds while chipping in four points.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Currently, the Spartans are ranked nationally in the top 50 in seven categories: 21st in three pointers per game (9.9), 25th in three-point percentage (38.2), 32nd in turnovers per game (10.1), 40th in field goal percentage (39.5), 44th in defensive rebounds per game (28.38), 47th in assist/turnover ratio (1.47), 48th in effective field goal percentage (0.549)
UNCG is outscoring its opponents 78.5-70.1 and is averaging 6.1 steals per game compared to its foes who are averaging 4.9 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 28th in assists (73), 28th in assists per game (5.6), and 32nd in assist/turnover ratio (3.17). He is leading the SoCon in assists, steals (27), and steals per game (2.08).
Keyshaun Langley was named SoCon Player of the Week (Nov. 20), and Mikeal 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 PALADINS
Furman was voted as the SoCon preseason favorites in the coaches and media polls.
JP Pegues and Marcus Foster were both voted to the All-SoCon Preseason team.
The Paladins were on a 10-game home winning streak before Anderson defeated them 79-74 in their most recent battle on Dec. 30.
Furman played a similar opponent to the Spartans with Arkansas on December 4, where the Razorbacks won 97-83.
Furman is outscoring opponents 84.7-80.2 and outrebounding them 39.8-35.5.
The Paladins opponents are outmatching them in three-point percentage .316-.346.
JP Pegues is nationally ranked 24th in assists per game (5.8) and 47th in three pointers per game (2.82).
Nationally, Furman is ranked in the top 50 in five categories, including: 7th in three-point attempts per game (30.2), 18th in assists per game (18.2), 21st in scoring offense (84.7), 35th in three pointers per game (9.5), and 49th in defensive rebounds per game (28.23).
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.
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UP NEXT
The Spartans follow this game with a Saturday afternoon battle against ETSU on January 6 at the Greensboro Coliseum at 4:00 p.m.
This will be UNCG’s Youth Sports Night! Kids wearing their youth team’s jersey will receive free admission.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro