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GREENSBORO - Fans planning to attend the Davidson-UNCG basketball game Thursday will find something they don't usually see at college basketball games.

Beer.

The game will be played not in UNCG's traditional home of Fleming Gym, but at the Greensboro Coliseum, which, unlike public school campuses in the state, allows alcohol sales.

In recent years, UNCG has played games at the coliseum, including games against Duke and Virginia Tech.

But the Davidson game will be a taste of the future. Beginning next season, UNCG will play all of its men's home basketball games at the coliseum.

University officials say alcohol sales weren't a significant issue in the decision to move from tiny Fleming to the cavernous coliseum.

Dick Stewart, an associate athletics director for the school, said the school isn't expecting alcohol sales to supercharge fan interest.

"Winning teams are really what draws," he said.

Mainly, university officials say, the move is about boosting the profile of the program, which sits in the heart of ACC country and must fight for attention among better-known programs. Linda Brady, the school's new chancellor, has said the move should help the program gain more exposure.

"It makes a lot of sense to have a little bigger stage," Stewart said.

State law largely prohibits alcohol sales on public college campuses, but that doesn't extend to events held off campus.

University attorney Lucien "Skip" Capone said the different setting justifies the different policies.

The coliseum is a different environment, he said, adding that the facility has extensive experience in handling alcohol sales.

Andrew Brown, a coliseum spokesman, wrote in an e-mail that alcohol has been served at numerous games there in addition to previous UNCG games, including games in the ACC-Big Ten challenge.

Beyond that, events with alcohol are a frequent occurrence and don't present additional challenges, according to Brown.

"It's something we do almost every day ... we host, literally, hundreds of events over the course of the year where alcohol is served," he wrote.

Alcohol isn't served at all college games at the coliseum, though. NCAA tournament games are dry, as mandated by NCAA rules. ACC tournament games are alcohol-free as well, as are all games at many private school campuses.

Thursday's game against Davidson, which is ranked just outside the top 25 in the national polls, is set for 7 p.m.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com