SPARTAN ESSENTIALS
Who: No. 13 Tennessee (6-2)
Where: Thompson-Boiling Arena | Knoxville, Tenn.
When: Saturday, December 11 | 4:30 p.m. 
Watch (SEC Network) | Live Stats | Listen
Game Notes: UNCG | Tennessee

GREENSBORO, N.C. – If there's ever a team built for a challenging road trip in three difficult facilities, it's the 2021-22 UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team.
 
You see, the Spartans have the timeless ingredients that adapt regardless of the environment: rebounding and defense. Those two facets have been the foundation of the UNCG early success, which has helped it win seven of its first nine contests.
 
If you rebound and defend, you always have an opportunity to win.
 
Things are about to get rocky, literally, as the Spartans visit Rocky Top to face No. 13 Tennessee Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. that will air nationally on the SEC Network. Check your local listings for the SEC Network.
 
This matchup between programs that participated in the 2021 NCAA Tournament begins a stretch of three games in six days in two states for the Spartans, who travel to Towson (6-4) and UMBC (5-4 overall) next week.
 
While other teams may quiver at the daunting prospect of facing a Vols team that has been butcher knife sharp at home this season, the Spartans are embracing the opportunity. They resemble an old NFC East football team that's built to run and play defense in cold and windy December weather.
 
Last Time Out For Both Teams

• UNCG extended its winning streak to three by defeating Elon, 74-61, on Tuesday, Nov. 30 behind De'Monte Buckingham's pristine 21-point performance.
• Despite holding Texas Tech to 19-for-61 (.311) shooting, Tennessee dropped a 57-52 overtime decision in the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday. The Vols shot just 19-for-71 (.268) from the field for the game, including 6-for-40 (.150) from 3-point range.

 
Series History

• Tennessee has won both previous meetings, including 93-62, on Nov. 11, 2011.

 
A Look At UNCG

• During his time coaching at Radford, first-year UNCG head coach Mike Jones led his squad to notable victories over Northwestern, Richmond, Notre Dame, and Texas.
• UNCG is receiving votes in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
• The balanced Spartans have had nine players score in double figures in at least one game this season.
• Buckingham is UNCG's leading scorer (13.3 points per game) and rebounder (8.3).
• He has scored 20 or more points three times and collected two double-doubles.
• Bas Leyte, who went 12-for-12 from the foul line against Elon, is scoring at a 9.7 point per game clip.
• Kaleb Hunter and Buckingham have combined for 28 3-pointers this season.
• This will be UNCG's second away contest of the season.
• Khyre Thompson (6.7 rebounds per game) and Leyte (6.4) are also key rebounders for the Spartans.
• UNCG is fourth nationally in rebounding margin (14.4), sixth in rebounds per game (43.7), 11th in total rebounds (394), 12th in defensive rebounds per game (30.56), 26th in field goal percentage defense (37.8), and 34th in offensive rebounds per game (13.22).
• UNCG has made a season-high eight 3-pointers each in its last two games.
• UNCG's last win over a Power Five opponent was an 81-76 victory over N.C. State on Dec. 16, 2017.

 
A Look At Tennessee

• In the loss to Texas Tech, John Fulkerson led the Vols in scoring with 10 points, also adding 10 rebounds and five blocks. Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler had nine points apiece.
• Tennessee is 4-0 at Thompson-Boiling Arena this season.
• The Vols have pulverized opponents at home this season as evidenced by their average margin of victory, which is 28.2 points per game.
• In addition to falling to Texas Tech, the Vols have also lost to No. 6 Villanova.
• Chandler leads Tennessee in scoring (15.3 points per game) and assists (4.7).
• Vescovi, who has a team-high 23 3-pointers, adds 14.4 points per contest.
• The Vols have three players averaging more than six rebounds per game: Fulkerson (6.6), Oliver Nkamhoua (6.1), and Josiah-Jordan James (6.8).
• Tennessee is ranked 14th nationally in assist to turnover ratio (1.58), 18th in assists (17.8), and 21st in blocked shots (59).

 
Up Next

• UNCG heads to crabcake country to face Towson and UMBC in a pair of contests over a three-day span.
• The Spartans visit Towson on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
• Action from SECU Arena starts at 7 p.m.