Lees-McRae vs UNC Greensboro prediction: UNC Greensboro starts over almost from scratch against Lees-McRae
With nearly every minute from last season gone, UNCG's first look in Greensboro is about learning who its new pieces are, not the opponent.
- UNCG should control a non-Division I visitor, but the real story is which transfers seize roles on a rebuilt roster.
- Watch Braxton Stacker, who started 33 games at Southeast Missouri State, as the likeliest new primary scorer.
- No line is posted. UNCG returns just 2.1% of last season's minutes, so last season's numbers are a weak guide.
A roster built from the ground up
UNC Greensboro's coaches picked it 11th of 11 in the SoCon preseason poll, and the roster explains why. The Spartans return only 2.1% of last season's minutes. Justin Neely, who averaged 17.9 points and 11.5 rebounds, is now at Colorado. KJ Younger, a 15.1-point scorer, left for Texas State.
The replacements come from all over. Braxton Stacker averaged 11.8 points as a full-time starter at Southeast Missouri State. Zavier Fitch pulled 6.2 rebounds a game at Wagner. RJ Greer shot 42.9% from three in limited Davidson minutes. How quickly those players fit together matters far more than anything Lees-McRae brings.
The defense has to be rebuilt too
Last season's 15-19 team could score, ranking 65th nationally in offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions). It could not stop anyone. The defense ranked 353rd of 365, and opponents shot 37.2% from three, 355th in the country. With almost nobody back, those numbers describe a scheme more than a roster. Whether the new group closes out on shooters better is the thing to watch, even against a lower-division opponent.
Who the Bobcats are
Lees-McRae plays in Conference Carolinas and went 10-18 last season, 7-13 in league play, under coach Desean Motley, now in his second year. The Bobcats' official roster adds transfers including Alex Hawkins from Alcorn State. They opened with an exhibition at UNCW on Oct. 11. Lees-McRae lists this upcoming game as an exhibition too. No injury news has surfaced for either team.
Key players
- Braxton Stacker (UNC Greensboro): Averaged 11.8 points in 33 starts at Southeast Missouri State last season.
- Zavier Fitch (UNC Greensboro): Pulled down 6.2 rebounds per game at Wagner last season, the frontcourt production UNCG lost with Neely.
- RJ Greer (UNC Greensboro): Shot 42.9% from three at Davidson last season in a reserve role.
Numbers that matter
| UNCG returning minutes | 2.1% | Almost none of last season's playing time is back, so this is effectively a new team. |
|---|---|---|
| UNCG defensive efficiency rank, last season | 353rd | The defense was among the worst in Division I and is the biggest thing the rebuild must fix. |
| UNCG SoCon preseason pick | 11th | League coaches slotted the Spartans last of 11 teams. |
| Stacker scoring at SEMO | 11.8 | The most proven scorer among UNCG's incoming transfers. |
Lees-McRae vs UNC Greensboro: quick answers
When is Lees-McRae vs UNC Greensboro?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.