Elon is off to a roaring start. They are 5-2 overall, having only lost to Massachusetts and North Carolina State, while beating South Carolina, Navy, Princeton, and Furman, while also beating a non-D1.
On the other hand, UNC-Greensboro has been horribly disappointing. They beat Pembroke and Towson, while losing to Tennessee, Georgetown, Middle Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, North Carolina A&T, Appalachian State and Western Carolina. The Spartans got hammered by North Carolina A&T in their own gym (despite the fact that it qualified as a road game) last week, and set off a rash of negativity from the fans, which in turn created a rash of negativity from the players.
It's been quite a terrible start for the Spartans. But, there is a good team somewhere in there, right? Trevis Simpson leads the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game.
Aloysius Henry, who was a solid player last year and is in trouble for his tweets last week, is averaging 4.5 points per game, and 3.6 rebounds per game. Nine guys are averaging 14.6 minutes per game or more.
Simpson, Nick Paulos, and Drew Parker have made twelve or thirteen three pointers, leading the team. Parker has made 12 of 16 on the year, which is 75%. Kyle Randall is averaging 2.6 assists per game, leading the team.
For Elon, Lucas Troutman is averaging 12.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds per game. Drew Spradlin is averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Spradlin is a 48% three point shooter. Sebastian Koch has also been hot from three point range. Koch also is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game. Ryley Beaumont is averaging 5.7 rebounds per game. Jack Isenbarger is coming back from injury, and so he is a little bit down but with 8.6 points per game.
Elon is a very good defensive team. They will make this game very difficult to win from a defensive standpoint. But the Phoenix has not been blowing people out. The Spartans, playing their first home game since the tweet controversy, will need to come ready to play.
KEYS TO THE GAME
--The Spartans will need to come out and play with energy and enthusiasm in their biggest game yet this season. They need to win to avoid going 0-3 in SoCon play.
--The Phoenix need to keep on playing solid defense.
--Isenbarger needs to get going. The Phoenix are a much more potent team when he is at the top of his game. He sat out against Navy.
--Austin Hamilton could make another shot like he did against Navy for the win.
--The Phoenix need to warm up from the field.
LEAD PIPE LOCK PREDICTIONS THAT ARE SURE TO GO WRONG
--The Phoenix will continue to struggle shooting.
--The Spartans Trevis Simpson will come through with a nice game.
--Drew Parker will make some big shots.
--Elon 62, UNC-Greensboro 58. The Phoenix will come up with one more defensive stop and a couple of more big shots than the Spartans. They are playing with more confidence than the Spartans at the moment. UNCG will come away with another tough loss. This should be a great SoCon game.
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