UNCG Men’s Basketball Hits the Road for Two SoCon Battles
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team travels this week first facing VMI on Wednesday, January 31 on ESPN+ and then visiting reigning Southern Conference (SoCon) Champions, Furman on ESPNU on Sunday, February 4.
UNCG is 15-6 overall this season and 6-2 in SoCon play. VMI is 4-17 overall and 1-7 in SoCon play, while Furman is 11-10 overall and 5-3 in SoCon action.
GAME INFO at VMI
Where: Cameron Hall | Lexington, Va.
When: Wednesday, January 31 | 6 p.m.
Watch: (ESPN+) WATCH | Live Stats
Tickets
GAME INFO at Furman
Where: Timmons Arena | Greenville, S.C.
When: Sunday, February 4 | 2 p.m.
Watch: (ESPNU) Watch | Live Stats
Tickets
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
UNCG fell to Mercer on Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum, 70-64.
Mikeal Brown-Jones registered his fifth-career double-double, scoring a game-high of 19 points and tallying a career-high of 16 rebounds.
Donovan Atwell was second on the team with 15 points, all from his 5-for-8 shooting behind the arc.
Keyshaun Langley chipped in 13 points.
Kobe Langley had four assists and five rebounds.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Currently, the Spartans are ranked nationally in the top 50 in six categories: 11th in three-point percentage (39.0), 13th in field goal percentage defense (39.2), 17th in three pointers per game (9.9), 37th in effective field goal percentage (0.549), 43rd in assist/turnover ratio (1.45), 48th in three-point percentage defense (30.6).
UNCG is outscoring its opponents 76.9-68.8 and is averaging 6.7 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, three-point percentage defense.
Kobe is nationally ranked 12th in assist/turnover ratio (3.31), 12th in assists (129), 15th in assists per game (6.1)15th in steals (48), 24th in steals per game (2.29).
Atwell is nationally ranked 12th in points per game (21.1), 41st in total three point made (57) and 43rd in three-point percentage (40.1).
Brown-Jones is nationally ranked 31st in free throws (106), 34th in free throw attempts (135), 43rd in field goals (57.8), 43rd in field goal percentage (57.8).
Three Spartans are averaging double figures, including Brown-Jones who is contributing 21.1 points a game, Keyshaun is averaging 13.6 points a game, and Atwell is averaging 10.9 points per game.
Keyshaun was named SoCon Player of the Week (Nov. 20), and Brown-Jones earned the honor on November 27 and most recently on January 22.
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 KEYDETS
VMI’s lone conference win was against The Citadel, 70-63 on January 20.
Opponents are outscoring the Keydets 80.5-71.0.
VMI holds the edge in rebounding against its opponents, 38.5-38.0.
Brennan Watkins is leading the team with 15.4 points per game.
Tyran Cook is second on the team with 13.0 points per game.
Koree Cotton is the third Keydet averaging double figures with 12.3 points per game.
Taeshaud Jackson II paces the Keydets with 10.2 rebounds per game and 1.23 steals per game.
Watkins is leading the conference in free throw percentage and is 29th nationally (88.5).
Jackson II is nationally ranked 11th in rebounds per game and 12th in defensive rebounds per game.
Nationally, VMI is 27th in defensive rebounds per game (28.29).
RECORD VS. THE KEYDETS
UNCG is 23-10 all-time versus VMI.
From 2016-23, UNCG has won 11-straight games against VMI.
SCOUTING THE PALADINS
The Paladins will battle The Citadel on Wednesday before hosting the Spartans.
Prior to their loss to Wofford on January 27, Furman was on a five-game win streak.
Furman is outscoring its opponents 81.0-76.3 and outrebounding them 39.6-36.4.
Four Paladins are averaging double figures, including Marcus Foster (19.5), JP Pegues (16.7), Alex Williams (16.2), and PJay Smith Jr. (10.2).
In the nation, the team is ranked fifth in three-point attempts per game (29.9), 22nd in three pointers per game (9.7), 43rd in rebounds per game (39.57).
Pegues is nationally ranked 43rd in free throw percentage (87.5), while Alex Williams is 35th in three-point percentage (40.9) and 42nd in three pointers per game (2.81).
RECORD VS. PALADINS
UNCG has the advantage, 24-21
The two teams met earlier this season in Greensboro, where UNCG took the win 79-68.
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
UNCG will return home for two games, hosting Samford on Thursday, February 8 at the Greensboro Coliseum with a start time of 7:00 p.m. This game will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Spartans will then host Chattanooga on Saturday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m. back on ESPN+ at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Thursday, February 8 Promotion:
Gold Rush: Wear Gold!
First 1,000 UNCG students will receive a FREE trucker hat!
Pride Game: Celebrating our LGBTQ+ community!
Saturday, February 10 Promotion:
First 1,000 UNCG students will receive a FREE replica UNCG basketball jersey!
Faith and Family Night
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro