UNCG Men’s Basketball Travels to Samford & Chattanooga this Weekend
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team battles two The Southern Conference (SoCon) foes this weekend, first facing Samford on Thursday, January 11 at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST at the Pete Hanna Center.
The Spartans follow their game against the Bulldogs with a battle against Chattanooga on Saturday, January 13 at 7 p.m. at McKenzie Arena.
UNCG is 11-4 overall this season and 2-0 in SoCon play, while Samford is 13-2 overall in 2-0 in conference action. Chattanooga is 9-6 overall and 1-1 in SoCon play.
The Spartans are 7-0 this season when playing at home. UNCG has matched its 7-0 home record from the 2018-19 season.
GAME INFO
Where: Pete Hanna Center | Birmingham, Ala.
When: Thursday, January 11 | 8 p.m. EST | 7 p.m. CST
Watch: (ESPN+) WATCH | Live Stats
GAME INFO
Where: McKenzie Arena | Chattanooga, Tenn.
When: Saturday, January 13 | 7 p.m.
Watch: (CBS Sports Network) WATCH | Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
UNCG defeated ETSU at home 70-54 on January 6.
Three Spartans tallied double figures, including Mikeal Brown-Jones who scored a game-high 14 points. Keyshaun Langley chipped in 10 points, while Jalen Breath registered his first-career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Kobe Langley recorded seven points, eight assists, three steals, and five rebounds.
Tim Ceaser added eight points and seven rebounds.
The Spartans shot 46.7-percent from field goal range, compared to the Bucs’ 33.9-percent.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Currently, the Spartans are ranked nationally in the top 50 in seven categories: 15th in field goal percentage defense (38.6), 15th in three-point percentage (38.7), 21st in three pointers per game (9.9), 34th in defensive rebounds per game (28.60), 42nd in effective field goal percentage (0.550), 49th in assist/turnover ratio (1.43), 50th in three-point attempts per game (25.7).
UNCG is outscoring its opponents 78.0-68.9 and is averaging 6.4 steals per game compared to its foes who are averaging 5.5 per game.
They are leading the SoCon in assist/turnover ratio, field goal percentage defense, and turnovers per game.
Kobe Langley is nationally ranked 22nd in assist/turnover ratio (3.26), 24th in assists (88), 24th in assists per game (5.9), 28th in steals (34), and 33rd in steals per game (2.27).
Atwell is nationally ranked 36th in three pointers per game (2.87), 45th in total three-point field goals made (43), and 48th in three-point percentage (40.2).
Three Spartans are averaging double figures, including Brown-Jones who is contributing 18.6 points a game, Keyshaun is averaging 14.2 points a game, and Atwell is averaging 11.7 points per game.
Keyshaun 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 BULLDOGS
Samford is riding a 13-game win streak where the Bulldogs most recently defeated The Citadel, 80-64.
Samford was voted to finish fourth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll and tied for second in the media poll.
Jermaine Marshall was voted to the Preseason All-SoCon team.
The Bulldogs are led by Achor Achor who is averaging 14.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
A.J. Staton-McCray is averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Rylan Jones leads the team in assists, dishing out 5.2 assists per game.
The Bulldogs are leading the SoCon in scoring (89.5 ppg.), scoring margin (+15.3), field goal percentage (.491), three-point field goal percentage (.406), three-pointers made per game (10.9), turnover margin (3.67), assists (20.47 pg.) and steals (11.00 pg.).
Nationally, Samford is ranked in the top 10 in several categories, including fastbreak points per game (2nd-18.47 pg.), assists per game (3rd-20.5), scoring offense (4th-89.5 ppg.), bench points per game (5th-38.80 ppg.), three-point percentage (5th-40.6%), steals per game (6th-11.0 pg.), and turnovers forced per game (8th-18.00 pg.).
RECORD VS. SAMFORD
UNCG holds the edge, 20-14, in the overall series.
Samford won both meetings last year, winning at UNCG, 70-68, and then earning an 83-71 win in Birmingham.
SCOUTING THE MOCS
Chattanooga will host VMI on Thursday, January 11 before hosting the Spartans.
Chattanooga was voted to finish fifth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll and received one first-place vote, as well as fifth in the media poll.
Honor Huff was voted to the Preseason All-SoCon team.
Huff is nationally ranked seventh in three-point attempts (133), 16th in total three-point field goals made (48), and 17th in three pointers per game (3.20).
Four Mocs are leading the offensive charge averaging double figures, including Huff with 16.3 points per game, Trey Bonham with 16.0, Jan Zedek with 12.0, Sam Alexis with 11.6, and Tyler Millin with 10.1.
Alexis is pacing the Mocs with 9.8 rebounds per game and 2.4 blocks per game.
Alexis is nationally ranked ninth in blocks per game (2.47), 10th in blocks (37), 21st in rebounds per game (9.8), 23rd in rebounds (147), 35th in defensive rebounds per game (6.60), and 49th in offensive rebounds per game (3.20).
Nationally, the Mocs are fourth in three-point attempts per game (30.7), 11th in three pointers per game (10.5), and 30th in defensive rebounds per game (28.87).
They are leading the SoCon in free throw percentage (74.0) and three-point attempts per game.
RECORD VS. CHATTANOOGA
The overall series is tied, 27-27.
UNCG has won the last 11 out of 14 games against Chattanooga, dating back to 2017.
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 return home and host The Citadel on Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. and then Wofford on Saturday, January 20 at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be played at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Promotions for January 17: Blue Out! Wear Blue!
The first 1,000 UNCG students will receive a FREE bucket hat!
Military/First Responders Appreciation Game! Military/First Responders will receive FREE admission to the game with a valid work ID and their guests will receive the discounted ticket rate of only $10. Contact the ticket office for more information.
Promotions for January 20: Throwback game!
The first 1,000 UNCG students will receive a FREE throwback t-shirt!
UNCG Alumni Game!
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro