UNC-Greensboro opens up with win over crosstown rival
With over 8100 fans in attendance, UNC-Greensboro opened up the 2019-20 season with an impressive 83-50 win over crosstown rival NC A&T. In the past three seasons, Wes Miller’s team has won 25, 27, and 29 games respectively and has played in two NIT’s and one NCAA tournament. This year’s team has a nice blend of newcomers and returning veterans. In addition, UNC-Greensboro has 10 players on his roster from the state of North Carolina.
Offensively, it was a well-balanced attack for UNC-Greensboro and had four players score in double figures, while all ten players got in the scoring column. Leading the way was 6’4 sophomore Kaleb Hunter with a game high 17 points and also collected seven rebounds. The southpaw went 4-8 from the floor, 2-3 from the 3-point line and 7-7 from the free throw line, and collected a team high seven rebounds. 6’0 junior Isaiah Miller started slowly in the first half, but bounced back nicely to showcase his elite level athleticism and his ability to get deep into the paint. Miller finished with six rebounds, dished out three assists, had three steals and enjoyed a solid all-around game on both ends of the court. 6’7 sophomore Angelo Allegri and 6’3 redshirt sophomore Michael Huett scored 11 and 10 points respectively. In addition, the biggest storyline may have been the outstanding play of freshman point guard Keyshaun Langley who finished with seven points, collected seven rebounds, dished out six assists and created ZERO turnovers.
For NC A&T, 6’8 senior Ronald Jackson was the only player in double digit scoring with 17 points. Jackson went 5-8 from the floor, 7-9 from the free throw line and collected six rebounds. 6’2 junior Kameron Langley (brother of UNC-Greensboro’s Kobe and Keyshaun Langley) finished with seven points, but collected a game high nine rebounds. NC A&T shot a dismal 32.6% going 15-46 from the floor, 23.5% from the 3-point line, and only 61.5% from the free throw line. Overall, it was not a very good shooting night for A&T.
Key points to the game
It’s no secret that UNC-G likes to play pressure defense and mix up defensive schemes during the game. They utilize the ¾ court 1-2-2 press and then transitions nicely back to man to man. Using their length and athleticism, UNC-G forced 19 turnovers where 12 came directly off steals. They are really good in transition and perimeter shooting may improve this season, but it may still be the one Achilles heel in their overall resume.
Slow start for Isaiah Miller
While Isaiah Miller had a “slow first half,” he regrouped and enjoyed a solid all-around game for the Spartans. Miller has strength, athleticism and unbelievable bounce, not to mention he is extremely difficult to keep out of the lane. Miller finished with 13 points going 5-12 from the floor, 0-2 from the 3-point line, and 3-9 from the free throw line, but did collect six rebounds and dish out three assists. The good news for coach Wes Miller; even when Miller has an “off half,” there are plenty of others to pick up the scoring slack.
Breakout game for Kaleb Hunter
It was a stellar all-around performance for the 6’4 sophomore. We’re talking about a long and athletic wing that may be one of the best two-way players on the court. Hunter finished with a game/team high 17 points going 4-8 from the floor, 2-3 from the 3-point line and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. In addition, he collected seven rebounds and played a really solid defensive game.
Keyshaun Langley is a future star in the SoCon
Keyshaun Langley may have only scored seven points, but his poise, maturity and confidence on opening night is simply advanced for a freshman. Langley is a strong and willing defender. He does a really good job of applying defensive “on ball” pressure and rarely gets beat off the dribble. More importantly, Langley played an excellent floor game, he dished out six assists and had ZERO turnovers, not to mention he collected seven rebounds and had two steals.
Photos courtesy of UNC-G men’s basketball