UNC Greensboro Basketball: 2018-2019 season preview for the Spartans

UNC-Greensboro Basketball paired an impressive 27-8 record with a near upset over Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament last season. What’s to expect of the Spartans for 2018-19?

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the 2017-18 season for UNCG is that, in spite of all its accomplishments, it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed with how it all ended. Trailing by 9 at halftime against Gonzaga, the 13 seed Spartans stormed back to a 64-62 lead with under two minutes to play. It took a cold-blooded three-pointer by Zach Norvell Jr. with 21 seconds and the score tied to thwart what would have been a massive March upset.

The fact UNCG was even in such a position is a testament to the kind of job Coach Wes Miller has done in Greensboro. After grabbing a share of the SOCON regular season title in 2016-17, Miller’s squad achieved a program record 27 wins en route to claiming both the regular season and tournament title. UNCG also grabbed a huge win at North Carolina State along with playing close contests at Virginia and Wake Forest.

Such an impressive body of work garnered an extension for Miller, who is now signed on all the way through 2018-29. Miller brings back a group of quality talent including the senior backcourt combo of Francis Alonzo and Demetrius Troy. And despite losing the versitality and experience of Marvin Smith and Jordy Kuiper, the return of James Dickey and Isaiah Miller will help UNCG sustain solid momentum.

Let’s take a closer look at the UNC-Greensboro Spartans going into 2018-19.