Last Thursday, the men’s and women’s basketball program hosted the second annual Spartan Madness. The event was a part of Homecoming week and featured the introduction of both UNCG men’s and women’s basketball teams for the new year. The event featured introductions, a short scrimmage and dance skits. Also, one student had the opportunity to shoot a half-court shot to win free in-state tuition for a year.

For the event, DJ MC provided the music, and the Spartan G’s and cheerleaders provided the oncourt spirit for the event to keep the crowd hype and active.  There were also cash giveaways throughout the night.

The event was free, and many students arrived to the venue early to insure that they would have an opportunity to have a good seat for the event. The men’s basketball team handed out doughnuts to the people in line before the doors opened. The line wrapped outside of the Coleman building spreading all the way out to Walker Avenue, leading up to the Student Recreation Center. Before entering the gym, students received free glow necklaces to provide a black light effect when the lights in the gym were turned off.

In line, supporters were very thrilled as they waited patiently for the doors to open at 7:30 p.m. Students came out in the thousands to support the team and provide a great amount of school spirit that has been lacking recently.

Senior guard and Media Studies major Michael Adams spoke on how the atmosphere was at the event.

“The atmosphere was crazy. From when the line first started outside where we see everybody so excited to watch, it was just madness for the Madness,” Adams said. “Once we got in the gym, the atmosphere got even crazier, but it was real live.  Everybody had a good time, and it was just a break to have some fun and a break from classes where you can just sit back for an hour to and enjoy yourself.”

Senior Communications Studies major Errick Davis discussed how he felt during his first Spartan Madness.

“The experience was cool,” Davis said. “The school spirit is bringing us together as students and as faculty. All that put together with such a great event full of fun and full of energy, it was definitely a great experience to be a student and to be part of something where everybody was having fun and interacting with each other.”

On the court, the men’s and women’s teams will be returning both of their coaches for the 2015-2016 season. Fifth year head coach, Wendy Palmer, will be at the helm for the women’s team, and Wes Miller will be leading the men’s team.

Palmer will be returning ten players from the 2014-15 team that went 6-24. The key players that returned were Senior guard Lucy Mason, who hit the 1,000-point mark in her career last season. Also, returning to the team is guard Jazmine Missouri and forward Jade Scaife.

Wes Miller will have seven of his top eight scorers returning to the team this season. Returning is junior guard Tevon Saddler, who was the only player on the team in the top 20 of the Southern Conference in points per game with 13.4. Also returning are other contributors:  Kayel Locke, R.J. White, Jordy Kuiper and Diante Baldwin.

The Spartans have a tough schedule this upcoming season with the month of December as they face tough matches such as crosstown rival North Carolina A&T, North Carolina State, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University.

Adams gave his opinion on the upcoming schedule in December.

“I’m excited about the month of December because we are on the road that whole month, and that’s our last month before we start getting into conference play, and I think that will be our biggest challenge,” Adams said. “A lot people are going to doubt that we not going to win that whole month considering the teams we will be facing, but I think they will be wrong.”

Both Davis and Adams believe the team will be good this season and in hopes of making the NCAA tournament. Both students also believe the event should keep happening year by year.

“It is a great way to prepare for the basketball season for both the men’s and women’s team,” Adams said.

In reflection of the event, Davis was positive.

“I love everything about Spartan Madness,” Davis said.