UNCG Men’s Basketball Hosts Catamounts on CBS Sports Network, Travels to Mercer on Saturday
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team returns home this week to host Western Carolina on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. before heading to Mercer on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m.
The Spartans are 19-8 overall this season and 10-4 in The Southern Conference (SoCon). Western Carolina is 19-8 overall and 8-6 in SoCon play, while Mercer is 12-15 overall and 5-9 in the conference. The Bears will host The Citadel on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. before welcoming the Spartans.
GAME INFO vs Western Carolina
Where: Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 6 p.m.
(CBS Sports Network): WATCH | Live Stats
Tickets
Promotion: The first 1,000 fans will receive a free UNCG tumbler
This game is sponsored by The Vic.
GAME INFO at Mercer
Where: Hawkins Arena | Macon, Ga.
When: Saturday, February 24 | 4:30 p.m.
Watch: (ESPN+) WATCH | Live Stats
Tickets
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans most recently took a 58-47 victory over Wofford on Saturday, Feb. 17 in Spartanburg, S.C.
Two Spartans tallied double figures, including Donovan Atwell who paced the game with 15 points and Keyshaun Langley who registered 13 points.
Kobe Langley reached the 200 career steals milestone with his six this game, bringing his total to 205. He is fourth in the UNCG record book, sitting behind Isaiah Miller (315), Ricky Hickman (236), and Courtney Eldridge (226). Keyshaun is now fifth all time with his 201 career steals.
Keyshaun’s seven assists was a season high.
Mikeal Brown-Jones chipped in nine points and seven rebounds.
Kobe’s six steals was a game high and matched his career high.
He also recorded seven points and five assists.
Jalen Breath led the team with nine rebounds and nine points.
UNCG outmatched Wofford in points off turnovers, 20-7, fast break points, 10-3, and points in the paint, 24-18
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
The Spartans are ranked seventh nationally with a 39.2 three-point percentage and 31st with a 40.6 field goal percentage defense.
UNCG leads the SoCon in three statistical categories: assist/turnover ratio (1.42), field goal percentage defense (40.6) and three-point percentage defense (31.9)
Kobe is currently 22nd nationally and leading the conference with 159 assists this season. In addition, he is 24th nationally with a 3.00 assist/turnover ratio.
Brown-Jones is ranked 25th in the country with 131 made free throws and 37th in points per game with a 19.7 average.
Kobe also stands out nationally at 11th with 63 steals and 14th with 2.33 steals per game .
Atwell is a key player from behind the arc at 23rd nationally with a 41.1 three-point percentage and 25th with 76 three-pointers made this season.
Keyshaun earned his second SoCon Player of the Week award (Feb. 5 and Nov. 20), and Brown-Jones earned the honor on November 27 and 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.
SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS
Western Carolina most recently earned a 70-65 victory over ETSU on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The Catamounts lead the SoCon with a 4.4 rebound margin, 29.04 defensive rebounds per game, 39.70 rebounds per game and 68.8 scoring defense.
Vonterius Woolbright leads the nation in four categories: double doubles, rebounds, defensive rebounds and triple doubles.
Tre Jackson leads Western Carolina with 85 three-pointers on the season and has 32 steals.
RECORD VS. THE CATAMOUNTS
The overall series between Western Carolina and UNCG is tied at 32-32.
The Spartans took an 85-82 win over the Catamounts in Cullowhee, N.C., earlier this season.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Mercer most recently earned an 88-84 win over Samford on Saturday, Feb. 17
The Bears had three players score in double figures, led by Jalyn McCreary, who had 27 points and three steals. David Thomas added 19 points and seven assists, and Alex Holt scored a season-high 16 points and added eight rebounds.
Mercer is ranked 11th nationally with 31.59 bench points per game.
Jalyn McCreary is currently ranked third in the conference with a 52.1 field goal percentage.
McCreary leads the Bears with 366 points and 22 blocks.
Jake Davis stands out on the team with 128 rebounds.
RECORD VS. THE BEARS
UNCG has the advantage, 13-9.
Mercer collected a 70-64 win over UNCG in the team’s previous meeting this season at the Greensboro Coliseum.
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
Following this week’s games, UNCG will come back to the Greensboro Coliseum to host VMI on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. That game will be the Spartans’ senior night.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro