November 14, 2011
Men's Basketball Preview (11/14-11/21)
Bryan Galuski Interview
The Pride return eight players from last year's team and Coach Bryan Galuski has added both youth and experience to his team with six freshmen and several transfers. Sophomore Damion Dixon will look to improve on last season's performance, when he averaged 11.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 42 assists and making 26 steals.
Upcoming Games
Tuesday, November 15th vs. Johnson & Wales (7:30 p.m.)-Greensboro will open their season at home against the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales. The Wildcats have lost five games already this season and have allowed, on average, 92 ppg. Johnson & Wales fields a very young team this season, with no seniors, just one junior and seven freshman.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Wednesday, November 16th vs. Guilford (7:00 p.m.)-The Pride will be back in action Wednesday against cross-town rival Guilford. The Quakers will play Methodist Tuesday before traveling to Hanes Gymnasium. The Quakers were picked to finished 3rd in the ODAC this season after finishing 16-10 last season, 10-6 in conference play, and returning nine letter winners. Guilford will be led by junior guard Josh Pittman. Pittman led the team last season in points (18.1), steals (41), and assists (59).
The Pride defeated the Quakers in exciting fashion last season, winning 76-73 in overtime. The game was close throughout and included 13 ties and 11 lead changes. The Pride held a one point advantage, 26-25, at the half, but the Quakers outscored Greensboro 37-36 in the second. Pittman hit a long three with under a second remaining in regulation to force overtime, but The Pride fought hard in overtime and a late three plus two free throws by Damion Dixon earned Greensboro its first win of the season.
Dixon led The Pride with 22 points and two other players scored in double-digits as well. Daren Dexter grabbed a team high nine rebounds, while Lugman Tijani dished out four assists. Graduated senior Tobi Akinsola led all players with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Pittman scored 17, grabbed four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Guilford currently holds the advantage in the all-time series 25-12.
Friday/Saturday 18/19th at Hilton Garden Inn Invitational (8:00 p.m./TBA)-The Pride will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to Guilford College for two games at the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational. Greensboro will tip-off the tournament against the Bridgewater College Eagles. The Eagles were picked to finish 10th in the ODAC after returning just one player from a 8-18 team last season. Cody Griffith is the lead returning scorer, averaging 10.2 points per game.
The Pride have played Bridgewater six times and both teams have managed three victories. The two teams last met during the 2008-2009 season and the Eagles came out on top of a close game, 79-71. Andre Porter is the only player still remaining from that team. He scored eight points in nine minutes of play and grabbed one rebound.
