GREENSBORO, N.C. – Highlighted by home games against Atlantic Coast Conference members Virginia and Wake Forest, UNCG men's basketball head coach Wes Miller has announced the Spartans' schedule for the 2016-17 season Thursday afternoon. The Spartans will play 17 home games this season, including 15 at the Greensboro Coliseum, while only playing one non-conference game outside of the state of North Carolina. Also, UNCG will play eight of its first 11 games at home to open the season.

“We are excited about our 2016-17 schedule,” Miller said. “This schedule allows our fans to see our team without leaving the Triad for the first 11 games of the year. We have an exciting slate of home games for our fans this season and a strong overall non-conference schedule that will help prepare us for league play.”

Season tickets start at $129 in the lower level, $159 in the risers (with Spartan Club donation) and $450 for courtside seating (with Spartan Club Donation). All season tickets come with a complimentary parking pass at the Greensboro Coliseum. Contact the UNCG ticket office at 336-334-3250 for more information on season tickets as well as UNCG Faculty/Staff and UNCG Young Alumni Programs.

The Spartans open the regular season by hosting preseason top-10 Virginia to the Greensboro Coliseum Nov. 11 on the opening night of college basketball. The Cavaliers finished last season ranked No. 5 in the country after advancing all the way to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament with a 29-8 overall record. This series will mark the first-ever meetings between the Spartan and Cavaliers on the hardwood.

UNCG plays its second game of the year Nov. 14 when it hosts Presbyterian for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. The Spartans will play in a multi-team event for the fourth straight year when they travel across the Triad for the HPU Tournament hosted at the Millis Center. UNCG will play three games in three days in the event Nov. 18-20, opening with host High Point Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. The Spartans will meet North Dakota State No. 19 and Navy Nov. 20 to round out the weekend. All three opponents on the weekend posted at least 19 wins last season. Additionally, the Spartans will host Belmont Abbey Nov. 25 as part of the HPU Tournament.

The Spartans continue their six-game home stand Nov. 29 when they host crosstown rival N.C. A&T. The game marks the first time hosting the Aggies at the Greensboro Coliseum since 2012. UNCG then plays one of its two games this season on campus at Fleming Gymnasium when the Spartans welcome Liberty Dec. 3 in a throwback game between former Big South Conference rivals.

The Spartans host their second ACC team of the year Dec. 9 welcoming in Wake Forest to the Greensboro Coliseum. This is the first time since 2012 that the Demon Deacons have played at UNCG and marks the 10th meeting all-time in the series between Triad schools. The Spartans conclude their six-game home stretch Dec. 14 hosting Southern Wesleyan.

UNCG hits the road Dec. 19 when it travels to UNC Asheville to take on the Bulldogs at Kimmel Arena. The game is part of a new home-and-home series with UNC Asheville and marks the first meeting between the schools since Nov. 19, 2001. UNC Asheville is the defending Big South Conference Tournament champions after posting a 22-12 record last year.

The Spartans leave the state of North Carolina for the sole time in non-conference play in their final non-league matchup Dec. 22 when UNCG travels to Washington, D.C., to take on perennial Big East Conference power Georgetown. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off at the Verizon Center.

Southern Conference play begins after the holiday break as the Spartans play an 18-game league schedule that features a home-and-home series against all nine other league foes. UNCG opens league play on the road as it travels to Charleston, S.C., for a meeting with The Citadel Dec. 28. The Spartans host their SoCon home opener New Year's Eve when they welcome in Samford.

SoCon play continues in January when UNCG plays five of eight games at home beginning with Chattanooga (Jan. 2), Western Carolina (Jan. 7), at ETSU (Jan. 12), at VMI (Jan. 14), Mercer (Jan 19), The Citadel (Jan. 21), at Wofford (Jan. 25) and Furman (Jan. 28). The Spartans open February with three straight road games at Chattanooga (Feb. 2), at Samford (Feb. 4) and at Western Carolina (Feb. 11).

February continues with a home game against Wofford (Feb. 15) before two more road games at Furman (Feb. 18) and at Mercer (Feb. 22). The Spartans will play their second game of the year on campus at Fleming Gymnasium Feb. 25 when they host VMI. UNCG closes out the regular season at the Greensboro Coliseum Feb. 27 by hosting ETSU.

The 2017 Southern Conference Tournament will once again be played in Asheville at the U.S. Cellular Center March 3-6. All 10 teams qualify for the tournament with the top four seeds earning a bye into the quarterfinals Saturday. The SoCon Tournament Final will be held Monday, March 6 at 7 p.m.

-- UNCG --