| Who |
UNCG (16-7, 11-4) at Western Carolina (9-14, 2-12) |
| When |
Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, 5:00 p.m. |
| Where |
Ramsey Center -- Cullowhee, N.C. |
| Series History |
Western Carolina leads 32-25 |
| Last Meeting |
UNCG 82, WCU 62 (February. 12, 2020) |
| Watch |
ESPN+ |
| Live Stats |
CLICK HERE |
| Listen Live |
TUNEIN RADIO |
| Game Notes |
UNCG / WESTERN CAROLINA |
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Playing for the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball program is the perfect place to experience the joy of consistently competing for a championship contender.
Under head coach
Wes Miller, the Spartans have established a culture of excellence, family atmosphere, and plenty of positive vibes in which everybody supports each other from the coaches to the players to the behind-the-scenes staff.
In addition to playinghigh-level hoops in major arenas against some of the top programs in the sport, UNCG offers a terrific education and is one of the best colleges in the country.
Once again, UNCG is playing in meaningful games as the season concludes.
Each game takes on added importance. Some may look at it as pressure, but the Spartans expect to be near the top each season. They embrace the responsibility that comes with putting on the sacred UNCG jersey.
The Spartans (16-7 overall, 11-4 SoCon) look to take another giant step in the right direction as they begin a home-and-home against Western Carolina (9-14, 2-12). The first of these matchups is Monday in Cullowhee at 5 p.m. The teams will battle Wednesday at the Greensboro Coliseum at 7 p.m.
This game was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
"I just see this as an opportunity for us to keep getting better as a team one day at a time and to keep growing" UNCG senior guard
Isaiah Miller said.
Being in this position has been a fun habit for the Spartans, who find themselves in first place with three regular-season games remaining. UNCG and Furman have four losses each. Everybody else has at least six conference losses.
The Spartans are disciplined to compete on every possession and obsessed with tiny details. Another special trait about this group of high-character Spartans that doesn't appear on any roster is their resiliency and poise.
UNCG started the season by dropping three of its four games. They responded with four straight wins. After opening SoCon play with losses in two of its first three contests, UNCG won seven consecutive contests. The selfless Spartans have remained steady, focused, and efficient, playing through the highs and lows of a challenging season.
Playing at UNCG means being part of a team in which everybody does something – especially on defense -- that enhances the winning recipe.
As a team this season, UNCG is 13th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (13.0), 24th in rebounding (39.8), 31st in total blocked shots (91), and 28th in turnover margin (+3.5). The Spartan total of 915 rebounds is seventh overall. UNCG is 33rd nationally in total steals (166).
While senior guard Isaiah Miller has been the headliner for the Spartans, this season has been far from a solo act. Miller (steals), Hayden Koval (blocked shots), and Mohammed Abdulsalam (offensive rebounding) leads the SoCon in those respective categories.
Kaleb Hunter fueled a huge road win at The Citadel with a season-high 22 points. Angelo Allergi's 16 points made the difference in a victory at Mercer. Keyshaun Langley has scored in double figures in five straight games. Kobe Langley has delivered key minutes and grabbed four rebounds in each of UNCG's last two games.
During the Spartans' seven-game winning streak, freshmen Jarrett Hensley and A.J. McGinnis delivered critical contributions. Khyre Thompson and Bas Leyte enjoyed shining moments that have enhanced UNCG's season.
Saturday's 60-55 victory over Chattanooga was a perfect example of what makes UNCG strong. Abdulsalam and Langley combined to outscore the Mocs in the second half, 22-21. Miller added his third double-double of the season (12 points, 11 rebounds). Defensively, the Spartans painted a masterpiece of mayhem by holding Chattanooga to 21.4 percent shooting in the second half.
UNCG has won the last nine meetings against Western Carolina, including both by double digits last season. The Spartans are wary because they know Western Carolina is a dangerous opponent. Ignore the standings. The Catamounts are a talented team looking to finish a difficult season on a high note. Western Carolina is 5-4 at home this season.
Western Carolina junior Cory Hightower scored a career-high 26 points in an 80-56 loss to Wofford Saturday. Freshman Sin'Cere McMahon finished in double figures for the second straight game with 13 points. Sophomore Xavier Cork grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists.
The Spartans success is also rooted in a simple philosophy.
"We have Western on Monday and that's the only thing we are focused on," Abdulsalam said. "The only thing we can think about is one game. We can sit here and say we have three more games, but we have just one game and one practice right now.
"We are not trying to look ahead but look at what's right in front of us. I feel like if we do what we have to do, then at the end of the season, we're going to be happy with where we finish. Right now, our focus is on Western Carolina."
