Basketball teams prepare to tip off seasons

The University of North Georgia (UNG) basketball teams have their sights set on postseason play again.

In 2022-23, the UNG men's basketball team made its first-ever NCAA Division II tournament appearance, while the women's basketball team earned its sixth consecutive NCAA tournament berth.

UNG students, faculty, staff, and community members will get a chance for their first look at those teams at 9 p.m. Nov. 1 at the "NIGHTHAWK GAMEDAY — Blue Crew Edition." Admission is free, and doors open at 8:30 p.m. at Lynn Cottrell Arena in the UNG Convocation Center.

"We are excited to tip off our seasons in exciting fashion with NIGHTHAWK GAMEDAY," Athletics Director Mary Rob Plunkett said. "Both of our basketball teams have a great chance to make postseason runs during the 2023-24 season, and we are eager to see them compete."

The goal of NIGHTHAWK GAMEDAY is to create student excitement around the approaching basketball seasons and build the foundation for an enhanced student section at home games.

Free T-shirts for the first 500 fans and prize giveaways, including a pair of custom North Georgia Air Pegasus shoes, will be available.

The Nighthawk Pep Band, cheerleaders and Nigel the Nighthawk will be in attendance, while the event will also feature student contests and will conclude with a Blue Crew commitment social media campaign where participants will receive free pizza.

New initiatives such as premium courtside seating and the Nighthawk Pep Band integration into the Blue Crew section will be introduced.

Junior forward Frank Champion, the 2022-23 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Player of the Year, and sophomore guard AJ White, the PBC Freshman of the Year, lead a strong returning group for head coach Dan Evans' fifth season leading the men's team. The group also won 21 games a season ago, the most in the NCAA era for the program.

The UNG men open the season in the Southeast Region Crossover at home in the Convocation Center, welcoming North Greenville University at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and rival Young Harris College at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Senior guard Caroline Martin, a two-time first-team All-PBC selection, will lead the way for head coach Buffie Burson's 30th season at the helm of the women's program. Burson has 615 career coaching victories at UNG.

The UNG women start the season in the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge at Young Harris College, facing Emmanuel University at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 and Young Harris at 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Their home opener is at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 against Tusculum University in the UNG Nighthawk Classic, a day before hosting Lincoln Memorial University at 4 p.m.

Rifle team makes strong start

The UNG rifle team has won two of its first three matches this season, defeating Wofford and VMI after dropping its season opener to No. 12 Georgia Southern.

In upcoming matches, UNG will take on nationally ranked Jacksonville State on Nov. 5 in Statesboro, Georgia, and nationally ranked The Citadel on Nov. 11 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Southern Conference championship is set for March 2-3 in Charleston.