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Preview: Rutgers at NC-Greensboro
Rutgers goes for its fourth straight win when it visits UNCG on Sunday. After dropping their season opener to St. Peter’s, the Scarlet Knights have rolled off three in a row, including an 81-79 squeaker over Boston University last time out. UNCG has lost three of its first four, most recently falling to Virginia Tech in the first of a four-game homestand. The Spartans led the Hokies late in the second half before a decisive 23-10 Virginia Tech run.
TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3.
ABOUT RUTGERS (3-1): The Scarlet Knights were led by guard Eli Carter, who scored 20 points in the win over BU, including a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Rutgers never trailed and outrebounded the Terriers 39-30. Carter is Rutgers’ leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points, and ranks second in the Big East from the charity stripe, shooting 94.1 percent. Junior forward Wally Judge pulls down nine rebounds per game to lead the conference.
ABOUT UNCG (1-3): The Spartans are led by Trevis Simpson’s Southern Conference-best 22 points per game, and the junior is inching closer to the 1,000-point mark for his career. With 44 more points, Simpson will become the 19th player in school history to reach the plateau. Senior guard Derrell Armstrong contributes 15.5 points per game off the bench. Senior forward Kelvin McNeil had a career high 12 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Virginia Tech.
TIP-INS
1. This marks the first-ever meeting. The Scarlet Knights are 3-0 all time against Southern Conference teams, while the Spartans are 0-3 against current members of the Big East.
2. UNCG won the Southern Conference’s North Division last season and was a consensus pick to repeat this year.
3. After scoring just 52 points in the season-opening loss to St. Peter’s, Rutgers averaged 84.5 points in its two home wins.
PREDICTION: Rutgers 80, UNCG 66
