GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team travels to Cullowhee, North Carolina, for a Saturday matinee against The Southern Conference (SoCon) foe, Western Carolina (WCU) at 3:00 p.m. at the Ramsey Center.
 
The Spartans are 11-7 overall and 4-1 in SoCon play. The Catamounts are 5-11 overall and 1-4 in the conference.
 
This will be the 65th meeting between the Spartans and the Catamounts, where the series is tied, 32-32. The Spartans have won the last six meetings as well as the last 16 of 17 matchups. WCU last won in 2021 when the Catamounts earned a close 81-80 victory in Greensboro.
 

 
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS

• UNCG rolled to a 70-57 victory over The Citadel on Wednesday night at the First Horizon Coliseum, extending its home streak to seven.
• This was the fifth game this season where at least four Spartans scored double figures.
• Joryam Saizonou recorded his first career double-double with a career-high 16 points and 10 assists.
• This was the first game that a Spartan has tallied 10 or more dimes in a game since Kobe Langley registered 11 assists on Jan. 13, 2024, at Chattanooga.
• Donovan Atwell paced the Spartans with 19 points, while Demetrius Davis chipped in 14 points and Malik Henry had 12 points.
• Davis paced the game and matched his season high of nine rebounds and Henry matched his season high of seven boards.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

• Three Spartans are averaging double figures, including Kenyon Giles (16.9), Atwell (14.4) and Ronald Polite III (12.9).
• Jalen Breath (5.6), Miles Jones (4.6) and Henry (4.3) are pacing the team in rebounds per game.
• The Spartans are in the top 50 nationally in six categories, including three-point percentage (17^th/38.9), three-point percentage defense (17^th/28.7), scoring defense (32^nd/64.6), turnovers per game (27^th/10.2), three-pointers per game (33^rd/9.9) and field goal percentage defense (43^rd/40.2).
• The Spartans are leading the SoCon in field goal percentage defense, scoring defense, three-point percentage and turnovers per game.
• Giles is nationally ranked in the top 50 in three-point percentage (17th/44.6) and total three-pointers per game (50th/2.94).
• Nationally, Atwell is ranked in the top 50 in total three-point field goals made (7^th/61), three-pointers per game (10^th/3.39), total three-point attempts (27^th/141) and three-point percentage (32^nd/43.3).
• Atwell is leading the conference in three-point attempts, three-pointers per game and total three-point field goals made, while Giles is at the top of the league in three-point percentage. 
• The Spartans' 7-0 start at home continues to match last year's start, where UNCG went 9-0 to begin the season.
• UNCG has the advantage against its foes in points per game, 74.2-64.6, three-pointers per game, 9.9-6.3, rebounds per game, 36.6-33.8, assists per game, 14.1-11.3, and steals per game, 6.3-5.6.
• Giles joined the Spartans after two years at Radford, where he was first on the team with 1.4 steals per game and second on the team with 14.3 points per game.
• Polite III and Henry both came to UNCG with four years previously at George Mason. Polite III has averaged 7.38 points per game and 2.5 assists per game. Henry contributed a 62.5-percentage in field goals during his time with the Patriots.
• Davis joined the Spartans after playing the last two seasons at Chattanooga and one year each at Lawson State Community College and Augusta.
• UNCG concluded last season 21-11 overall and 12-6 in SoCon and it was the seventh year out of eight with 20 or more wins for the Spartans.
• The Spartans were voted to finish sixth in the 2024-25 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll and Atwell was voted to the 2024-25 Preseason All-SoCon team.
• The Spartans returned nine from last year's roster and added seven newcomers.

 
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

• WCU was voted to finish eighth in the 2024-25 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• The Catamounts most recently lost to VMI, 66-50.
• WCU has lost the last five of seven games.
• Opponents are outscoring the Catamounts, 77.6-69.0.
• The Catamounts are outrebounding their foes, 38.8-36.8.
• Bernard Pelote is leading the team with 13.1 points per game and Cord Stansberry is second averaging 10.1 points per game.
• Vernon Collins is averaging 1.0 blocks per game
• The Catamounts are nationally ranked 29^th and leading the SoCon in defensive rebounds per game (27.88).
• They are nationally ranked seventh in three-point attempts per game (31.4).

 
TICKETS FOR HOME SPARTAN GAMES
To secure your tickets for UNCG men's basketball home games click HERE for options including single games and group discounts, flex plans, and full season ticket options.  The home basketball schedule includes eight (8) home games at First Horizon Coliseum and Six (6) home games at Fleming Gymnasium. To learn more about upcoming ticket promotions or to purchase over the phone call the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250. 
 
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
 
UP NEXT
UNCG will once again split its time at home and on the road next week. The Spartans will first host Mercer on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. at First Horizon Coliseum. Purchase a Family 4 Pack for $40!
 
The Spartans will then hit the road to face VMI on Saturday, Jan. 25 in Lexington, Virginia, at 1:00 p.m.