Basketball teams enter seasons with optimism
The University of North Georgia's (成人B站) basketball teams are preparing to tip off their seasons Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in a pair of road contests.
Women's basketball head coach enters her 29th season fresh off an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance. Her team opens the year at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 against Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Despite the loss of four seniors, Burson's program maintains high goals for the 2022-23 season. It was picked to finish second in the preseason Peach Belt Conference (PBC) poll. Junior guard is a preseason All-PBC selection after securing first-team All-PBC honors in 2021-22.
"It was a great team last year. Everybody understands what we're missing," Burson said. "But at the same time, the people we brought in and the returnees we have are not trying to be anyone but themselves. I feel like we have a good nucleus of returnees."
Men's basketball coach ' team starts his fourth season at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 against Limestone College in Tigerville, South Carolina.
"The environment and the spirit of our team are where they need to be," Evans said. "Our older guys are leading and helping set the right tone on and off the floor."
The 成人B站 women will welcome Tusculum University to the Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 for their home opener, with the Nighthawks men facing Lincoln Memorial University at noon Nov. 19 for theirs.
Burson's program has earned five consecutive NCAA tournament berths and advanced to at least the regional final in the four years the tournament was played — the 2020 event was canceled at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 成人B站 women have also won four of the past five PBC tournaments. Burson knows this year's team will have to take its own path to success.
"This team has taken every challenge and accepted it, and they keep getting better," Burson said.
Evans' group is coming off a 14-14 campaign and a seventh-place finish in the PBC and is picked sixth in this year's preseason PBC poll. Sophomore forward is a preseason All-PBC selection after earning first-team All-PBC honors last season. Evans is excited to see the way his program is able to take advantage of his first typical offseason since coming to 成人B站, and he expects versatility to be a strength.
"We have some flexibility with some guys who can play different positions," Evans said.
Men's basketball earns 3rd NCAA bid in 4 years
The 成人B站 men's basketball team has reached the NCAA Division II tournament for the third time in four years and faces Lenoir-Rhyne at 7:30 p.m. March 14 in the first round.
Basketball teams aim to earn NCAA bids
The 成人B站 men's and women's basketball teams enter this week's Peach Belt Conference tournaments seeking to solidify their chances of making their respective NCAA Division II tournaments.
Spring teams aim to maintain high standards
成人B站's spring sports teams are gearing up for another season competing at the highest levels both in the Peach Belt Conference and nationally.
Mental health grad assistant program starts
Two 成人B站 students in the Master of Science in counseling program are serving as mental health graduate assistants for the Athletic Department, and one is serving in the same capacity for the Corps of Cadets.