Appalachian State (8-13, 4-7) at UNCG (4-16, 4-6)
Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 2, 2011 • Game 21 • 7 p.m.
Radio: WCOG 1320-AM (Scott Pryzwansky & Stan Lewter)
Internet: Spartan All Access
LiveStats: UNCGSpartans.com
Storylines:
• The Spartans will look to make it fives wins in their last six games on Wednesday night, as UNCG hosts in-state rival Appalachian State at 7 p.m. in the Greensboro Coliseum.
• The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Mountaineers, 19-15, dating back to 1983. Just a few weeks ago on Jan. 13, UNCG traveled up to Boone, N.C. to face the Mountaineers and came away with its first win of the season, 75-74. Aaron Brackett had a career-high 28 points and 15 rebounds in the winning cause to lead the Spartans. Wednesday's game is sure to be a tight game as the last five contests between the two teams have come by an average margin of just 3.6 points per game.
• The Spartans are coming off a 91-72 on the road against Samford on Saturday afternoon. Brandon Evans continued his recent hot streak with a game-high 26 points, including an 11-for-12 mark from the free throw line. Trevis Simpson also had a nice game for UNCG as he added 22 points on 6-9 shooting from the field.
• Appalachian State comes into the contest having lost four in a row and six of its last seven. On Saturday, the Mountaineers fell on the road at Furman, 81-61, despite a team-high 25 points from Omar Carter. The Mountaineers currently sit in a tie for fourth place in the North Division with Elon, just half a game behind the Spartans.
• The Spartans had a heartbreaking 111-110 double overtime loss at Chattanooga on Thursday evening. UNCG held a 109-102 lead in the second extra session, but the Mocs forced a UNCG turnover and converted it into a fast break layup to take a 111-110 lead with 15 seconds left. UNCG's final attempt by Trevis Simpson rolled off the rim.
• UNCG was winless in its first 15 outings this season after facing six ACC opponents and very tough teams in Richmond and VCU. The 0-15 start by the Spartans marked the worst start in school history, breaking the record set by the 1967-68 and 1968-69 teams, which both started 0-7.
• Sophomore Korey Van Dussen now leads the Spartans in scoring with 11.0 ppg after his 33 point performance at Chattanooga. Senior Brandon Evans is tops in the conference in 3-point percentage at 49.2% from behind the arc and would be third nationally, but he fails to reach to NCAA minimum of 2.5 3-point field goals made per game.
• UNCG now has four scorers who average double figure points and another who isn't far off. Van Dussen leads the team with 11.0 ppg, while Trevis Simpson (10.6 ppg), Kyle Randall (10.5) and Aloysius Henry (10.0) are also in double figures. Brandon Evans is right there too as he is currently averaging 9.7 ppg.
• The Spartans have had a considerably new look over the last two seasons. In fact, just one person in uniform today was in uniform in the 2008-09 opener at Charlotte – Elhanan Bone. Brandon Evans was sitting out after transferring from East Carolina and Darrius Sellers was injured.
The series:
UNCG vs. Appalachian State - UNCG leads 19-15
March 8, 2008 W 63-46 No. Charleston, S.C. (SoCon)
Jan. 10, 2009 W (ot) 85-83 Boone, N.C.
Feb. 19, 2009 L 69-70 Greensboro, N.C.
Jan. 16, 2010 L 64-72 Boone, N.C.
Feb. 8, 2010 L 69-75 Greensboro, N.C. (Colis.)
Jan. 13, 2011 W 75-74 Boone, N.C.
Breaking it all down:
UNCG
Offense (National Rank)
Points: 71.2 (124)
Rebounds: 12.3 (108)
Assists: 12.3 (233)
FG%: 42.2% (255)
FT%: 67.5% (213)
3P%: 37.8% (52)
Defense (Rank)
Points: 82.8 (342)
Rebounds: 21.1 (322)
Assists: 15.7 (328)
FG%: 49.5% (345)
FT%: 70.2% (244)
3P%: 39.3% (336)
Appalachian State
Offense (National Rank)
Points: 73.4 (79)
Rebounds: 11.0 (209)
Assists: 10.7 (312)
FG%: 44.4% (130)
FT%: 69.4% (156)
3P%: 33.5% (205)
Defense (Rank)
Points: 75.5 (316)
Rebounds: 24.0 (154)
Assists: 15.1 (310)
FG%: 46.5% (319)
FT%: 68.0% (134)
3P%: 33.7% (137)
