East Carolina (2-4) at UNCG (1-3)
Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, N.C.
Nov. 28, 2009 • Game 5
Radio: WPET 950-AM (Scott Pryzwansky, Dick Stewart & Stan Lewter)
Internet: Spartan All Access (video and audio), Yahoo! Sports (audio)
LiveStats: UNCGSpartans.com

Halftime performance by SimonSez. Gates open at 3 pm. Parking lots open for tailgating at 1:30 p.m. Free campus shuttles for students, faculty and staff will begin running at 1 p.m. from the front of EUC on Stirling Street.

STORYLINES

• UNCG plays against someone that isn't from an "Atlantic" conference when it hosts East Carolina on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans played three Atlantic Coast Conference teams before beating USC Upstate from the Atlantic Sun Conference on Tuesday.
• UNCG is in its first season in the Coliseum and played its home opener last Friday against No. 22 Clemson. But Saturday's opponent got to play in the Coliseum before that this season. ECU hosted a "home game" against Wake Forest the previous weekend, falling to the Demon Deacs, 89-58.
• The Spartans' leading scorer the last two games is a former Pirate. Brandon Evans transferred after two seasons at ECU. He sat out last season after transferring to UNCG and looked a little rusty in his first two games. However, he had 17 points against No. 22-ranked Clemson and 19 points and 10 rebounds at USC Upstate.

BREAKING IT DOWN

UNCG (1-3)
Offense (Rank)
Points: 62.8 (286)
Rebounds: 15.0 (45)
Assists: 11.0 (281)
FG%: 40.6% (272)
FT%: 63.0% (277)
3P%: 36.0% (116)  

Defense (Rank)
Points: 78.5 (307)
Rebounds: 19.5 (318)
Assists: 13.8 (238)
FG%: 48.8% (315)
FT%: 64.7% (106)
3P%: 30.8% (119)  

RPI - 102 // SOS - 40 (WarrenNolan.com)

East Carolina (2-4)
Offense (Rank)
Points: 69.8 (188)
Rebounds: 13.0 (113)
Assists: 11.3 (270)
FG%: 45.1% (142)
FT%: 68.0% (170)
3P%: 33.0% (179)  

Defense (Rank)
Points: 79.2 (312)
Rebounds: 24.3 (168)
Assists: 16.0 (298)
FG%: 45.7% (259)
FT%: 70.8% (249)
3P%: 39.4% (296)  

RPI - 177 // SOS - 81 (WarrenNolan.com)

COLISEUM DEBUT

UNCG lost in its last home outing to No. 22 Clemson, 89-67. (Complete game story and box score on page 19.) The game was played at UNCG's new home - the Greensboro Coliseum - in front of a crowd of 5,672. In that number, there were about 1,000 walk-ups the day of the game and more than 2,200 student tickets. In fact, 1,633 student tickets were distributed the first day for the Clemson game. Take note that UNCG's on-campus facility Fleming Gym has a capacity of 1,831.

The Spartans hung around for the first 15 minutes against the Tigers. But Clemson closed out the first half on a 17-2 run to go into the locker room with an 18-point lead.

THE QUOTE TO SUM IT UP

Mike Dement was talking with the FSN broadcast crew prior to the Clemson game and summed up his three early season games against the ACC this way... "We're playing three games against the ACC to open the season. There are ACC teams not ready to play three ACC opponents to open the season."

INJURY UPDATE

Freshman Taylor Hoffer is out for the season and will redshirt following preseason surgery on his leg.

ABOUT THE NEW HOUSE

Currently celebrating its 50th year, the Greensboro Coliseum has played host to the Final Four and numerous NCAA Tournament regional and opening rounds games - 51 to be exact, ACC Tournaments (including five of the next six years), and concert performers like The Who, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, George Strait, Jimmy Buffett and Shania Twain.

The venue holds 23,000, but it will be downsized to 7,617 for a typical configuration and will be enlarged when called for. The Spartans had played occasional games at the Coliseum over the years. Last February, UNCG and Davidson played here in front of a crowd of 11,267. The walk-up crowd for that was more than 1,800 fans - more than the capacity of UNCG's on-campus venue Fleming Gym (capacity 1,831). The Spartans drew more than 21,000 for No. 1 Duke in December 2005.

EARLY DIVIDENDS

The move to the Greensboro Coliseum and the upgraded schedule are already having a positive effect for UNCG's men's basketball program.

The Spartans signed four players during the early signing period with a big factor being playing against arguably the best non-conference slate in the country in a historic venue. Mike Dement told reporters last week, "we had one of our early signees verbally commit after watching us play Duke on television. We were on the bus coming back and he called one of our cell phones. That's what this move can do for us. More games on television and a beautiful venue like this is going to have a significant impact on who we can recruit."

STUDENTS ON BOARD

There was little doubt that the UNCG students were ready for the Coliseum debut when ticket distribution began on Tuesday. The department is handling distribution through "Ticket Tuesdays" - distributing tickets each Tuesday for games in the following seven days.

When distribution for the Clemson game began last Tuesday, students were lined up well before 9 a.m. When the day was done, 1,633 tickets had been distributed to UNCG students. The ticket allocation was originally planned for 1,500, but was extended due to the demand.

SEASON TICKET RECORD

UNCG sold a record number of season tickets for this first season in the Coliseum. There are a total of 1,354 season tickets for the 2009-10 basketball season.

CATCHING A BREAK IN THE SCHEDULE

After opening the season with three consecutive games against the ACC, UNCG's next three opponents have had some struggles against Division I competition this season. USC Upstate is 0-4 after falling to UNCG on Tuesday night; East Carolina is 2-4 overall, 1-4 against Division I competition; and Samford, the Spartans' opponent in the SoCon season opener, is 1-4.

TOUGH CLOSING AT VIRGINIA TECH

UNCG was tied with Virginia Tech, 38-38, with 10:48 to play. But UNCG turned the ball over on six of their next seven possessions as Virginia Tech went on an 11-0 run. The Spartans went 5:40 between field goals. The end result was a 59-46 win by Virginia Tech.

A GOOD EFFORT

The final score from the season-opener at Duke may not have been indicative, but UNCG coach Mike Dement was not entirely displeased with his team's performance. The Spartans got solid production from three freshmen making their collegiate debut (Brian Cole, Korey Van Dussen and Kyle Randall) and didn't look flustered (just 14 turnovers) in one of the most intimidating environments in college basketball. In fact, UNCG played Duke even for most of the second half, with the Blue Devils extending their lead during a 13-5 run in a four-minute span midway through the second half. (Duke outscored UNCG, 48-35, in the second half).

One point that Dement made in the postgame press conference was that the Spartans didn't convert second chances against the bigger Blue Devils. UNCG had 13 offensive rebounds and just six second-chance points.

A STRONG NUCLEUS

While coming off a disappointing season, the Spartans return a solid nucleus from last season's squad. Nearly 74 percent of last year's scoring returns, including three of the top four scorers from last year in Mikko Koivisto, Ben Stywall and Kendall Toney. Seven of the nine players returning from last year's roster have started 10 or more contests in their career. In addition, the Spartans regain the services of Darrius Sellers, who was lost for the season before it was even underway. Sellers suffered a leg injury that required surgery in preseason conditioning workouts after playing in 21 games as a freshman.

FRESH FACES

The Spartans also have a host of new faces that will likely see significant time this season. Brandon Evans sat out last season after transferring from East Carolina, where he was a key reserve for most of two seasons. Mike Dement has also added four freshmen, three of whom are expected to see the floor on an extended basis this season. Brian Cole will probably see even more playing time this season now that fellow freshman Taylor Hoffer is lost for the season due to leg surgery. Guards Korey Van Dussen and Kyle Randall come to UNCG highly-touted and will be a key part of the backcourt rotation. Van Dussen finished third in the Mr. Michigan voting last season at Zeeland East HS, where he led the team to their first regional title in 60 years. Randall was the AP's Class A Player of the Year in Pennsylvania.

KOIVISTO KEEPS ONE STREAK, LOSES ANOTHER

UNCG's sharpshooter Mikko Koivisto had two active streaks. He has 15 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer going back to last year. He had also made his last 20 free throw attempts before missing at USC Upstate on Tuesday night. The streak went back to February 7 of last season at Georgia Southern.

TWEET, TWEET

If you are a fan of Twitter, UNCG information can be found at several Twitter pages. For all general athletics information, the UNCG athletics Twitter is @uncgsports. More specifically, UNCG coach Mike Dement has his own Twitter page @coachmikedement. UNCG Director of Athletics Kim Record started her own page this week as well @UNCGSpartansAD.

SPARTANS SIGN FOUR

UNC Greensboro men's basketball coach Mike Dement has announced the signing of four student-athletes thus far during the National Letter of Intent program's early signing period.

The Spartans have received commitments from 6-9 power forward Cody Henegar, 6-6 shooting guard Mike Liabo, 6-2 guard Drew Parker and 6-5 wing Trevis Simpson.

"We are very pleased to welcome these four individuals into our program," said Dement. "This is a good class with still one grant to fill if we choose. All four young men come from outstanding backgrounds and we look forward to them joining us next fall.

"These kids and their families recognize the opportunity they have before them academically, as well as with our move to play our games in the Greensboro Coliseum and against the schedule we are going to face. They were attracted to those things and they are excited about it. We will expect them to play significant roles next season since we are graduating six seniors. They will be a big part of the future of this program."

UNCG will graduate five scholarship players this spring in Ben Stywall, Mikko Koivisto, Kendall Toney, Pete Brown and Montel Smith.

Henegar is a 6-9 post player from Marion County High School. A native of Jasper, Tenn., Henegar averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per contest last season at Marion County. He played his AAU basketball for the Nashville Celtics, where he is averaging eight points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He's helped the Celtics to a 50-20 mark over the last two years, including a River City Showdown Championship and an Elite 8 finish at the adidas 64 Tournament in Las Vegas.

Ranked as one of the Top 20 players in the state of Tennessee this season, Henegar is a McDonald's All-American nominee. He was also named to the Class AA, 3-AA all-region team last season.

Liabo is a 6-6 shooting guard/small forward from Brehm Prep in Carbondale, Ill. Currently in a year of prep school, Liabo averaged 22.5 points per game last season as a senior for Brehm. A native of Crystal Lake, Ill., he played his AAU basketball for the Illinois Warriors. Liabo was a Class 5A all-state honorable mention selection for Gulf Coast High School in the Naples, Fla. area before his family moved to Illinois prior to last season. He averaged 20 points per game as a junior for Gulf Coast, breaking the school's single-season scoring mark.

Parker is a 6-2 point guard from Laporte High School in Laporte, Texas. He averaged 10 points and eight assists per contest last season as Laporte went 28-10. Parker is ranked in the Top 20 seniors in the state of Texas according to TexasHoops.com and some regard him as the top point guard in Houston.

Parker comes from a basketball family as his mother is a former high school coach and played at the University of Houston, while his father played collegiately at Iowa State and professionally in the ABA. Andrew, Sr., who was a third-round pick of the Washington Bullets in the 1979 NBA draft, also coached Drew's AAU squad, the Houston Clippers.

Simpson, a native of Douglas, Ga., is a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com and has been rated as high as a Top 100 player nationally. At 6-5 and 190 lbs, Simpson is athletic with a 42-inch vertical leap. Last season at Coffee County High School, he averaged 16 points and six rebounds per game, playing virtually every position on the floor and earning all-region honors. He played his AAU basketball previously with the Atlanta Celtics finished with the Georgia Hawks.

FOR YOUR TV GUIDE

Three of UNCG's five television appearances have now been picked up by ESPN Full Court. UNCG's games against Clemson, NC State and The Citadel will all be shown as part of the ESPN Full Court package. The Clemson game was also picked up by ESPN 360.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES

UNCG's Ben Stywall was 0-for-5 from the field with no points in the first half at Duke. He went 7-for-11 from the floor in the second half to account for all 19 of his points.

NOT A GOOD SEQUEL

Mikko Koivisto had his own tale of two halves at Virginia Tech, in the opposite direction. Koivisto scored 10 of UNCG's first 20 points to help UNCG to an early lead on Tuesday night. But after beginning the game 4-for-6 from the floor, he did not even attempt a field goal in the final 28:10 as the Hokies put the clamps on the member of the Finnish National Team the last two summers.

SPARTANS AGAINST THE TOP 25

UNCG opens the 2009-10 season with ranked opponents in two of the first three contests.

All-time, UNCG is 0-24 against teams ranked in the Associated Press poll. Eight of those 24 games have been against Duke, including the season-opener this season. It was the first time in 15 years that the Spartans opened the season against a ranked opponent. UNCG faced Wake Forest, ranked No. 24 in the AP poll, to open the 1994-95 season (Nov. 26, 1994). It is the third time ever that the Spartans open the season with a ranked team and Duke is the highest-ranked opponent in those three season-openers.

THEY'RE BACK

After a one-year absence, UNCG has brought back the gold uniforms this season. The Spartans had them in 2007-08, but only wore them twice. Last year, they moved back to just two sets of uniforms - Blue and White. This year, however, the third set of jerseys have returned.

THE RACE TO 1,000

UNCG has three players chasing the 1,000-point mark this season. Entering tonight, Mikko Koivisto needs 45 points for 1,000 in his career, while Ben Stywall is only 161 points shy of the milestone. Kendall Toney has an outside shot, as well, entering play tonight with 659 points - 341 shy of the milestone. To date, 16 players have accumulated 1,000 points in a career as a Spartan.

SoCon STANDING

The Spartans were picked tied for fifth in the Southern Conference's North Division during the coaches' preseason balloting. Western Carolina, which returns all five starters from last season, was picked to finish first in the North Division, while College of Charleston was picked to win the league's South Division.

In the conference coaches' voting, the Catamounts earned 10 first-place votes and finished the balloting with 64 points. Appalachian State earned the remaining two first-place votes in the North Division and finished with 55 points. Samford (44) was chosen third while last season's tournament champion, Chattanooga (39), was slotted fourth. Elon and UNCG tied for fifth place with 22 points apiece.

Behind eight first-place votes, College of Charleston was picked to win the South Division. The Cougars finished 15-5 in league play a season ago and advanced to the tournament championship before falling to the Mocs. Wofford picked up three first-place votes and finished second in the preseason balloting with 54 points. Davidson, which has won the South Division each of the past three years, earned the final first-place vote in the South Division and came in third with 48 points. The Citadel (36) finished fourth, followed by Furman (24) and Georgia Southern (21).

GRAB BAG

Mikko Kovisto: Active leader in the Southern Conference in three-point field goals with 216... was a perfect 16-for-16 from the foul line in the final two minutes of games last season and 25-of-26 from the stripe inside of the 5-minute mark... has at least one three-pointer in 15 straight contests and 60 of his last 63 games... played for the Finnish National Team for the second consecutive summer... needs 32 points for 1,000 in his career... UNCG's top career free throw shooter at an 86.4% clip (146-169); third best among SoCon's active players... has 220 three-pointers in his career, third most in school history.

Ben Stywall: The senior man in the Southern Conference. His 2,835 career minutes are the most among SoCon active players... moved into fifth on the school's career rebounding list, passing James Maye, at Virginia Tech... had 19 points - all in the second half - in the season-opener at Duke... tied a career-high with five steals against Clemson, to go along with 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks... has 12 career double-doubles, including eight last season... active leader in the Southern Conference in free throws made (240) and attempted (386)... also the league's active leader in rebounds (660)... his 99 career steals is second on the SoCon's active leaders list.

Brandon Evans: May just be shaking off the rust a little bit. After having to sit out last year following his transfer from East Carolina, Evans scored just nine points in his first two games as a Spartan. However, he has led the Spartans in scoring the last two games with 17 points against No. 22 Clemson and 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the win at USC Upstate on Tuesday (despite shooting 8-for-15 at the line)... his double-double against USC Upstate made him the first Spartan guard with a points-rebounds double-double since Ricky Hickman did it a double-overtime loss at NC State on January 2, 2007.

Pete Brown: Has "discovered" shot blocking this season. After 39 blocked shots in 91 career games, Brown has nine in four games this season, including a career-high four against USC Upstate - spending a good portion of the night going against 7-foot, 3-inch Nick Schneiders.

Former Spartans overseas: Several Spartans are playing overseas again this season. In fact, earlier this month, two of the three Spartans to have their number retired, met in a Lega Due game in Italy. Kyle Hines had 24 points as Prima Veroli beat A.B. Latina, 95-87. Courtney Eldridge had 22 for A.B. Latina... others overseas include Bart Tooms (Netherlands - Upstairs Weert), Ronnie Taylor (France - Le Portel), Ricky Hickman (Finland - Namika Lahti), Josh Gross (Japan - Aishin), Davor Galic (Croatia - Darda), and Ronnie Burrell (Poland - Assec. Prokom).

Spooner steps away: Walk-on Sean Spooner decided to leave the team prior to the season-opener.

Cleaning the glass: After getting beaten on the boards by Duke, 44-26, in the season-opener. UNCG outrebounded its next two opponents - Clemson and Virginia Tech. The Spartans had 20 offensive rebounds against Clemson on the way to a 37-35 advantage on the glass.

Looking for 500: UNCG enters the season needing 10 wins for 500 in the program's history. The Spartans have a 491-603 all-time record as a program. UNCG was 218-267 as a Division III program, 29-52 in three seasons at the Division II level and currently sits at 244-284 in the midst of its 19th season at the Division I level. UNCG has had 16 winning seasons in 42 years with Mike Dement leading the program to four of those.