GREENSBORO, N.C. - The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team (6-7) closes out its 2022 schedule by opening Southern Conference (SoCon) play. The Spartans first travel to Cullowhee, N.C. to face the Western Carolina Catamounts (7-6) on Thursday, December 29.

GAME INFO
Where:  Ramsey Center | Cullowhee, N.C.
When: Thursday, December 29
Time: 2 p.m.
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LAST TIME OUT

• The Spartans fell to Eastern Kentucky before the break, 68-64.
• Dante Treacy led UNCG with 15 points.
• Mikeal Brown-Jones tallied 12 points and five rebounds, while Bas Leyte chipped in 10 points.
• Mohammed Abdulsalam had eight points and eight rebounds. He also had the Spartans' only block of the game.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

• UNCG is leading the conference in field goal percentage defense (40.5) and scoring defense (65.8).
• In the nation, Kobe Langley is 42nd in assist/turnover ratio (2.79).
• His twin brother, Keyshaun Langley is also ranked in the nation: 43rd in three-point percentage (42.7) and 50th in total three-point field goals made (35).
• The Spartans are averaging 70.2 points per game, outscoring their opponents' 65.8.
• They are also outrebounding opponents, 37.5-34.6.
• Keondre Kennedy (13.5), Keyshaun (12.2), and Brown-Jones (10.6) are leading the Spartans in points per game.
• Kennedy (7.3) and Abdulsalam (6.1) are leading the team in rebounds per game.
• UNCG has totaled 40 or more rebounds in four games this season.
• The Spartans have averaged 40-percent or more in field goal percentage in eight games.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

• The Catamounts are coming off a three-game win streak, including their most recent 117-50 victory over Toccoa Falls on Dec. 20.
• Western Carolina was voted to finish eighth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll and Media Poll.
• Western Carolina is outscoring opponents 79.2-69.0.
• The Catamounts are also winning the rebounding game, 40.2-34.3 per game.
• Claude Tyzhaun is leading the Catamounts, averaging 15.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 0.92 blocks per game.
• Tre Jackson (14.6), Vonterius Woolbright (12.4), and Elijah Cupples (10.0) also average double figures.
• Jackson is ranked in the top 10 in the nation in two categories: sixth in three pointers per game (3.75) and seventh in total three-point field goals made (45).
• Russell Jones, Jr. is averaging 1.76 steals per game to lead the team.
• Woolbright guides the team with 4.0 assists per game.
• In five games, Western Catamounts have totaled 40 or more rebounds.
• Western Carolina leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game (28.54), rebounds per game (40.15), and three-point percentage defense (30.7).
• The Catamounts are ranked in the top-20 in the nation in two categories: 13th in three pointers per game (10.1) and 16th in three point attempts per game (27.8).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

• Wofford awaits the Spartans on New Year's Eve for a 2 p.m. contest to round out the Spartans three-game road stretch.
• UNCG opens its home SoCon schedule January 4, hosting defending SoCon champion Chattanooga at the Greensboro Coliseum for a 7 p.m. contest.
• The schedule continues January 7 for a 4 p.m. contest against Samford at the Greensboro Coliseum.

SERIES HISTORY

• Western Carolina leads the all-time series, 33-28.
• UNCG has won 12 of the last 14 matchups in the series.
• The Spartans won the last two matchups, 73-64, on February 23, 2022 in Greensboro and 68-49 on February 7, 2022 in Cullowhee.
• The Spartans have won the last six games in Cullowhee (77-56, Feb. 22, 2021 | 68-49, Feb. 7, 2022 | 72-58, Jan. 29, 2020 | 69-60, Jan. 17, 2019 | 66-55, Jan. 13, 2018 | 76-68, Feb. 11, 2017).