No. 2 UNCG Men’s Basketball to Face No. 7 ETSU in SoCon Quarterfinal
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team, who received the No. 2 seed, is set to compete in the 2024 Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament at Harrah’s Cherokee Center where they will go head-to-head with No. 7 ETSU in a quarterfinal matchup.
The Spartans are entering the tournament with a 21-10 overall mark and a 12-6 SoCon record, while the Bucs are 17-15 overall and 8-10 in the conference.
UNCG and ETSU have faced off three times in postseason play with the Spartans leading the series, 2-1. The Spartans are 8-15 in SoCon Quarterfinal games.
The winner of the Spartans versus the Bucs will move on to a semifinal game set for Sunday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. versus the winner of No. 3 Chattanooga versus No. 6 Wofford.
2024 SoCon Basketball Championship Information
GAME INFO vs ETSU
Where: Harrah’s Cherokee Center | Asheville, N.C.
When: Saturday, March 9 | 2:30 p.m.
Watch: (ESPN+) WATCH | Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans fell to ETSU last Saturday, 66-65, in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Keyshaun Langley led the game with 25 points, while Donovan Atwell was second on the team with 18 points.
This was Keyshaun’s seventh game with 20 or more points.
This was Atwell’s 15th game scoring double figures this season.
Jalen Breath dominated the boards with 10 rebounds. This was his third game this season with 10 or more rebounds.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
UNCG earned its 20th win this season after defeating Western Carolina.
This was Mike Jones’ second season out of three winning 20 or more wins with the Spartans.
It is his seventh season out of 13 reaching 20 or more wins as a head coach.
The Spartans are ranked fifth nationally in three-point percentage (40.1), 11th in three pointers per game (10.2), 36th in effective field goal percentage (0.549), 39th in field goal percentage (40.9), 41st in three-point attempts per game (25.3).
UNCG leads the SoCon in two statistical categories: assist/turnover ratio and three-point percentage.
Kobe is nationally ranked 11th in steals (71), 15th in steals per game (2.29), 20th in assists (178), 25th in assist/turnover ratio (2.97), and 27th in assists per game (5.7).
Kobe is leading the SoCon in assists, assists per game, steals, and steals per game.
Brown-Jones is nationally ranked 33rd in free throws (151), 38th in free throw attempts (191), and 48th in points per game (19.3).
Atwell is a key player from behind the arc nationally ranked 21st in three-point percentage (42.0), 31st in total three-point field goals made (87), and 42nd in three pointers per game (2.81).
Earlier this week, Kobe Langley was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season. He was also tabbed on the All-SoCon third team and All-Defensive Team.
Brown-Jones was selected to the All-SoCon first team, while Keyshaun was voted to the All-SoCon second team.
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 BUCS
ETSU is coming off a 98-66 victory over VMI in a SoCon Tournament first round game on Friday.
The Bucs have won four of their last five games.
The Bucs have the slight edge over their opponents in scoring, 71.1-69.2.
ETSU is averaging 7.6 steals per game, compared to its opponents who are averaging 6.6 steals per game.
Three Bucs are averaging double figures, including Ebby Asamoah who is pacing the team with 15.1 points per game.
Jaden Seymour is averaging 15.0 points per game and Quimari Peterson is averaging 12.8 points per game.
ETSU is pacing the SoCon in blocks per game (4.9), and offensive rebounds per game (13.61).
The Bucs are nationally 12th in offensive rebounds per game, 25th blocks per game (4.9)
Jadyn Parker is leading the conference in blocks (71) and blocks per game (2.29). He is nationally ranked 10th and 14th, respectively.
Seymour was named to the All-SoCon third team, while Parker was voted to the All-Defensive Team.
RECORD VS. THE BUCS
ETSU leads the series 22-20.
The Spartans defeated the Bucs 70-54 in Greensboro this year on January 6, 2023.
The Bucs defeated the Spartans in Johnson City, Tenn., 66-65.
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 winner of the Spartans versus the Bucs will move on to a semifinal game set for Sunday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. versus the winner of No. 3 Chattanooga versus No. 6 Wofford.
2024 SoCon Basketball Championship Information
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro