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

Projected Starters

Demetrius Troy

Troy provided solid perimeter defense and reliable ball-handling for UNC-Greensboro in 2017-18. The senior also elevated his play when it mattered most averaging 14 ppg on 57.5% shooting over 4 postseason games (SOCON tourney / NCAA tourney).  Troy led the team in assists and also proved himself as a capable three-point shooter where he shot a solid 38% (51/137). UNCG should feel comfortable with this senior running the show at the point.

Isaiah Miller

A speedy 6’0 guard with a knack for getting to the hoop and finishing over taller defenders, Miller averaged 8.3 ppg during his freshman season. He also shot an efficient 54% from the field while playing just over 16 minutes a game. His instant offense off the bench during 2017-18 gave the backcourt another potent weapon. While Miller wasn’t really a threat as a three-point shooter (1/9), he should again give the Spartans key minutes on both sides of the floor and is one option to slide into a starting role.

Francis Alonzo

The senior from Malaga, Spain has scored over 1,500 points for the Spartans over his first three years. Capable of doing damage from anywhere on the court, Alonzo led UNC-Greensboro is scoring with 15.6 ppg while shooting a solid 41% from three-point range. “The Magician,” as he’s been called, has a way of making an impact even when the deep ball falters. Back in March last year, Alonzo went for just 5 points on 1 for 5 shooting (0/4 from 3pt) in the 1st half of UNC-Greensboro’s matchup vs Gonzaga. Rather than forcing the issue, Alonzo found a way to end up with 16 points while also letting his teammates do their thing. If UNCG is going to win the SOCON again and get that NCAA tourney win, Alonzo will have to be the one leading the way.

James Dickey

The reigning defensive player of the year for the Southern Conference looks to improve on a very impressive 2017-18 campaign. The 6’10 forward produced a crazy impressive line of 8.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 2.1 bpg all while averaging 27.7 minutes per game. Dickey put up a double-double against Gonzaga that featured a rim-rattling emphatic dunk. If Dickey can develop his offensive game, he could develop into the best big in the SOCON.

Kyrin Galloway

Though Galloway ceded minutes to older, more experienced frontcourt players last season, he’ll be counted on as a major contributor this season and could find himself as a starter. Galloway returns as the Spartan 2nd leading rebounder from last year (4.4 rpg). The junior could certainly contribute more as a scorer with an improvement as a three-point shooter where he shot 28% (13/46). Look for Galloway to give UNCG solid minutes this season.