SPARTAN ESSENTIALS
Who: East Tennessee State (12-9, 4-4)
Where: Freedom Hall | Johnson City, TN.
When: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | 7 p.m. 
Watch (ESPN+) | Live Stats | Listen
Game Notes: UNCG | ETSU

GREENSBORO, N.C. – It's always an exciting event whenever UNC Greensboro (UNCG) and East Tennessee State meet in a meaningful men's basketball contest. The next chapter of this intense rivalry takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Freedom Hall.
 
UNCG and ETSU are the two winningest programs in the Southern Conference, having combined for 267 victories since the start of the 2016-17 campaign. UNCG has 136 wins, which is the second most by a Division I program in the state of North Carolina during that span.
 
This game is significant for the Spartans as they sit a half-game behind ETSU in the SoCon standings as the first half of conference play concludes. This is the start of a two-game road trip for UNCG.
 
Last Time Out

• Keyshaun Langley and De'Monte Buckingham combined for 28 points in UNCG's 61-58 victory over Samford on Saturday.
• ETSU's Ty Brewer scored his 1,000th career point during to a 75-73 loss to The Citadel on Saturday.

 
A Look At UNCG

• UNCG has held 10 opponents below 60 points this season and four SoCon teams below that mark.
• Langley has scored in double figures in three of UNCG's last four games.
• Langley averaged 18 points in two games last week against Chattanooga and Samford.
• Buckingham leads UNCG in scoring with a 13.7 point per game average.
• He is the only Spartan averaging double figures.
• Buckingham is sixth in the SoCon in rebounds per game (7.2).
• Kobe Langley is fifth in the conference in steals per game (1.6).
• UNCG leads the SoCon in scoring defense, allowing 63.1 points per game.
• The Spartans also lead the conference in rebounding margin (+6.7).
• UNCG has recorded 10 or more steals in four of its seven SoCon contests.
• The Spartans are second in the conference in field-goal percentage defense (40.2).

 
A Look at ETSU

• David Sloan leads four ETSU players in double figures with a 13.1 point per game average.
• Sloan has scored 20 or more points in a game five times this season.
• He has led the Bucs in scoring eight times.
• ETSU has a 6-2 record when he has been the leading scorer.
• Ledarrius Brewer averages 13.0 points per contest.
• Jordan King chips in 12.5 points per outing for ETSU.
• King leads ETSU with 54 3-pointers.
• In addition to averaging 10.7 points per game, Ty Brewer leads ETSU in rebounding (6.7 per game).
• ETSU has allowed 1,508 points while scoring 1,500.
• The Bucs have made at least one 3-pointer in 1,080 consecutive games, the fourth longest streak in NCAA Division I.
• The Bucs lead the SoCon in 3-point field goal percentage defense (31.5).

 
Series History

• ETSU owns a 19-16 series advantage.
• These teams played three times last season with UNCG winning the last two meetings.
• UNCG beat ETSU, 86-75, in overtime in Johnson City on Feb. 27.
• Eight days later, UNCG beat ETSU in the SoCon semifinals, 77-65.

 
Coaches vs. Cancer

• The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
• The program empowers basketball and other athletic coaches to save lives from cancer by leveraging their community leadership to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society.
• Suits And Sneakers Week takes place January 24-30, 2022, with coaches designating a specific Suits And Sneakers Week game to raise funds and awareness.
• As we all navigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society remain committed to those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
• Many cancer patients and survivors have had to suspend their cancer treatments and screenings during the pandemic.
• But cancer hasn't stopped, and neither will our efforts to support Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society's fight to end cancer.
• Visit "cancer.org" today to learn more.
• Since the Coaches vs. Cancer program began over 25 years ago, college and high school coaches have raised more than $140 million to attack cancer from every angle but they won't stop until cancer does.
• You can join the team and fundraise too at "suits and sneakers dot org or follow @ coaches vs cancer on social media.
• If you or someone you know needs help or information about cancer, please contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit "cancer.org."

 
Up Next

• UNCG visits Wofford on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.