news-record.com

Rule of thumb for UNCG fans attending Thursday night's game against Davidson: If you go for a beer every time Stephen Curry hits an impossible three-pointer, you'll be drinking way too much.

Beer is an issue because the Spartans are hosting Davidson in the Greensboro Coliseum. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at athletic events on college campuses, but the coliseum stands just a fast break away across West Lee Street. Beer and wine sales are part of its stock-in-trade, from heavy-metal rock concerts in the arena to high-brow lectures in the auditorium.

There are exceptions. Post-season college basketball tournaments are dry, per the wishes of the Atlantic Coast Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association, even though they don't seem to mind advertising support from beer companies for television coverage. And regular-season games between NCAA members, like UNCG and Davidson, are different.

There's no reason to expect problems Thursday night or next season, when UNCG moves its entire men's basketball schedule to the coliseum. Students and other spectators younger than 21 won't be served. And patrons who appear to be over-indulging can be cut off more easily than Curry can be stopped from driving to the basket. The vast majority of fans who drink at the game will do so responsibly and will let someone else drive them home if they're incapable of doing so safely.

Beer sales add to concession revenues, which help make it feasible for the coliseum to host UNCG basketball games. The best formula for success, however, will be a good turnout of spectators who are more interested in basketball than beer. UNCG knows it must lift its program on the basis of a strong product on the court, not strong beverages at the concession stands.

If Davidson's star puts on a show Thursday, as usual, he might leave even the most sober fans dizzy.