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UNC Greensboro Basketball: 3 reasons the Spartans can upset Gonzaga

By Holden Walter-Warner

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 31: Wes Miller of the UNC Greensboro Spartans coaches his team against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during play at PNC Arena on December 31, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 89-68. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 31: Wes Miller of the UNC Greensboro Spartans coaches his team against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during play at PNC Arena on December 31, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 89-68. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Wes Miller of the UNC-Greensboro Spartans directs his team during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 28, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 96-63. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Wes Miller of the UNC-Greensboro Spartans directs his team during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 28, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 96-63. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. Launch the three

This is what modern basketball looks like, after all. The UNC Greensboro have shown little hesitancy in attempting three-point shots this season; they launched about 27 per game.

If close to half of those shots find the net, the Spartans are suddenly in good shape. Of course, that’s easier said than done, especially for UNC Greensboro: they made under 36% of their long-distance attempts this year.

The biggest threat UNC Greensboro brings offensively is Francis Alonso, one of the most potent scorers in the Southern Conference. He averaged 15.6 points per game, making 40.7% of his attempts from beyond the perimeter.

The Spanish junior is struggling to head into the NCAA Tournament, though. He scored just six points in the win over ETSU, making just one of his seven attempts from distance. Alonso was actually a better three-point shooter during his sophomore season when he made 46.2% of his three-pointers.

Still, his scoring average increased, so he’s finding ways to adjust and score as his shot wanes.

At 35 years old, Wes Miller is the youngest head coach in the NCAA Tournament this year. His first few years with the Spartans weren’t pretty, but he’s turned the team into a consistent contender over the past couple of seasons.

Next: 100 NCAA Tournament players to watch

Counting him and the UNC Greensboro Spartans out on Thursday would be a mistake.

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