Milligan vs UNC Greensboro prediction: Jerod Haase debuts at UNCG, and the defense is his first project
UNC Greensboro brings back most of last season's rotation, including a defense that ranked among the worst in Division I, and NAIA Milligan is the first test of what changes.
- UNCG should control this NAIA opener; the useful read is whether Haase's defense looks different from last season's.
- KJ Younger as the new top option, after carrying a 25.9% usage rate last season next to the departed Justin Neely.
- No line is posted yet. UNCG returns 72.1% of last season's minutes, so last season's numbers are a fair guide.
A new coach, a familiar roster
UNC Greensboro went 15-19 last season, and that ended Mike Jones's tenure. Jerod Haase was hired on March 18, and his first game comes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at home against Milligan, an NAIA program.
This is not a rebuild from scratch. Players on this season's roster logged 72.1% of last season's minutes and scored 68.2% of its points. Haase inherits most of a team whose strengths and flaws are already known.
Milligan has a veteran coach. Bill Robinson enters his 18th season with a 254-237 record and took the Buffs to the NAIA national championship game as recently as 2025.
The defense has to change
Last season UNCG could score. Its offense produced 116.7 points per 100 possessions, 65th of 365. Its defense undid that work, allowing 119.3 per 100 possessions, which ranked 353rd.
The problem showed most on the perimeter. Opponents made 37.2% of their threes, 355th in the country, and took plenty of them: UNCG ranked 20th in opponent 3-point attempt rate. Rim protection gave little help, with a block rate that ranked 352nd. An NAIA opponent will not settle much about the defense, but how often Milligan finds open threes will show whether Haase has changed the coverage.
Life after Neely
The biggest loss is Justin Neely, who averaged 17.9 points and 11.5 rebounds last season and has moved on to Colorado. His 125.5 offensive rating was higher than any of the returners listed in the packet.
KJ Younger is the obvious heir. He scored 15.1 points a game last season with an offensive rating of 116.9. Noah Norgaard is the steadiest shooter among the returners at 37.2% from three. Valentino Pinedo, who shot 60.8% from the field, is the closest thing left to an interior presence. Freshmen Braylen Bowman and Chane Bynum appear on the roster, and an opener like this is a likely place for them to get early minutes.
Key players
- KJ Younger (UNC Greensboro): He started all 34 games last season and averaged 15.1 points with a 25.9% usage rate.
- Donald Whitehead Jr. (UNC Greensboro): He led the returners with 2.4 assists a game last season but shot 30.7% from three.
- Noah Norgaard (UNC Greensboro): He made 37.2% of his threes last season, the best mark among the top returners.
- Valentino Pinedo (UNC Greensboro): He shot 60.8% from the field and blocked 1.0 shot per game last season.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 72.1% | Most of last season's rotation is back, so last season's profile still tells you a lot about this team. |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive efficiency rank, last season | 353rd | This is the biggest problem Haase inherits. |
| Opponent 3-point %, last season | 37.2% | It ranked 355th, the clearest weak spot in last season's defense. |
| Offensive efficiency rank, last season | 65th | The offense was already solid, even before losing Neely. |
Milligan vs UNC Greensboro: quick answers
When is Milligan vs UNC Greensboro?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.