Breaking Down UNCW's Nonconference Schedule
Seahawks will play five in-state opponents
After months of uncertainty, college basketball is back.
As programs around the country scramble to finalize schedules under the strangest of circumstances, UNCW announced a nine-game nonconference slate this week that will see the Seahawks play seven games in the state of North Carolina but just two at Trask Coliseum.
Here’s a look at who UNCW will be up against over the first month of the season.
Western Carolina
Nov. 25, 1 p.m. (Kimmel Arena, Asheville) ESPN+
Coach: Mark Prosser (26-37), third season.
Last season: 19-12 (10-8 SoCon)
Key Players: G Mason Faulkner (17.7 points, 6.1 assists, 6 rebounds), G Kameron Gibson (8.6 points, G Matt Halvorsen (9.5 points, 40% 3-point), F Xavier Cork (4.1 points, 2.8 rebounds).
Preseason SoCon poll: Sixth, media and coaches.
Preseason KenPom: No. 203
All-time Series: WCU leads, 4-2.
After going 7-25 in their first season under Prosser, the Catamounts made a major leap in 2019-20, matching the program’s second-best win total in the past 20 years. WCU relies on a guard-heavy lineup to play fast and shoot a ton of 3-pointers, hitting them at a 36.8 percent clip to rank 32nd nationally last season.
Everything starts with Faulkner for the Catamounts who will likely play even faster and be more reliant on the perimeter this season, as Cork and Tyler Harris are the only two experienced big men on the roster.
This is an excellent matchup for UNCW right out of the gate, allowing the Seahawks to get out and run with a team that is comfortable matching its tempo.
UNCW connection: First-year Seahawks assistant coach Monty Sanders spent the past two years on Prosser’s staff at WCU.
UNC Asheville
Nov. 27, 3:30 p.m. (Kimmel Arena, Asheville) ESPN+
Coach: Mike Morrell (19-43), third season.
Last season: 15-16 (8-10, Big South)
Key Players: G DeVon Baker (16.5 points, 1.5 steals), G LJ Thorpe (13. Points, 6.4 rebounds, 40.4% 3-pointers), G Tajion Jones (13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 41.9% 3-pointers), G Lavar Batts (12.7 points, 1.8 steals).
Preseason Big South poll: Second (two first-place votes)
Preseason KenPom: No. 210
All-time Series: UNCW leads, 16-9.
The best is yet to come for the already battle-hardened Bulldogs. After going 4-27 in 2018-19, the Bulldogs were one of the nation’s most improved teams last season thanks to the high-pressure, uptempo style that Morrell learned from his mentor, Texas coach Shaka Smart.
Asheville’s top nine scorers are back, including four guards who each averaged better than 12 points last season. Baker, Batts and Thorpe will take turns dictating the action, while Jones, an excellent shooter, will do his damage off the ball.
The Bulldogs, who ranked 25th nationally in defensive turnover rate last season, rely on pressure to make up for their lack of size, which played a major role in the nation’s worst 2-point defense last season.
Siddle Connection: Batts played his freshman season under Siddle at N.C. State before transferring to Asheville.
Troy
Nov. 28, 1 p.m. (Kimmel Arena, Asheville) ESPN+
Coach: Scott Cross (9-22 at Troy; 234-183 overall), second season at Troy (14th overall).
Last season: 9-22 (5-15 Sun Belt)
Key Players: F Zay Williams (11.1 points, 5.6 rebounds) G Desmond Williams (9.8 points), G Jakevan Leftridge (6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds), F Nick Stampley (5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds).
Preseason Sun Belt poll: 12th
Preseason KenPom: No. 265
All-time Series: Tied, 1-1.
Troy hired an excellent coach in Cross, who was shockingly fired at UT-Arlington, but this is still a program in transition after the departure of several players, including the Trojans’ two leading scorers.
The Trojans didn’t do anything particularly well last season, but as Cross gets the program moving in the right direction, his teams at UTA were known for their defense-first style while pushing the tempo at every opportunity.
The big question mark for this team will be a trio of junior college players — Kieffer Punter, Rory Pantophlet and Lydell Geffrard — that should be immediate contributors.
UNCW connection: Troy assistant coach Byron Jones served in the same role at UNCW under both Brad Brownell and Jerry Wainwright.
East Carolina
Dec. 7, 7 p.m. (Minges Coliseum, Greenville)
Coach: Joe Dooley (78-93 at ECU, 192-151 overall); third season in second stint at ECU (12th overall).
Last season: 11-20 (5-13 American)
Key Players: F Jayden Gardner (19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds), G Tristen Newton (11 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists), F Brandon Suggs (8.3 points), G J.J. Miles (7.5 points).
Preseason American poll: Ninth
Preseason KenPom: No. 123
All-time Series: UNCW leads, 37-29.
The Pirates come into the season looking to take another step forward under Dooley with a real chance to set a new program-best for AAC victories (ECU twice went 6-12 under Jeff Lebo).
The 6-7, 235-pound Gardner, a second-team All-AAC pick last season, is a matchup nightmare thanks to his ability to create his own shot paired with strength and finishing skills around the bucket. Posing no threat from the perimeter, defenders have sagged off Gardner, but that hasn’t made any difference in keeping him out of the lane.
Overall, Dooley has raised the program’s level of talent significantly, bringing in talented youngsters like Suggs (6-6, 205) and Newton (6-5, 200) — both big, long guards who showed loads of potential as freshmen.
ECU, which ranked 340th in 3-point shooting last season, will look to do its damage in the paint with a number of players between 6-5 and 6-9.
UNCW connection: Dooley has been a candidate for the job at UNCW at least twice.
St. Andrews
Dec. 9, 7 p.m. (Trask Coliseum)
Coach: Randy Hernandez (40-95), sixth season.
Last season: 6-22
Preseason Appalachian poll: 12th
All-time Series: UNCW leads, 12-0.
Unfortunately, the first home game of the season isn’t a very exciting matchup as UNCW plays host to NAIA program St. Andrews.
The Knights, from just up the road in Laurinburg, haven’t had much success lately and are projected to finish last in the Appalachian Athletic Conference by a wide margin.
Information is tough to come by, but guard Isaac Clay led SAU with 14 points in the Knights’ season-opener while Seth Smith added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Ole Miss
Dec. 12, TBA (The Pavilion; Oxford, Miss.)
Coach: Kermit Davis (35-30 at Ole Miss; 438-268 overall), third season at Ole Miss (23rd overall).
Last season: 15-17 (6-12 SEC)
Key Players: G Devontae Shuler (11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals), F Romello White (10.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks at Arizona State), F Khadim Sy (9 points, 5.5 rebounds), F KJ Buffen (10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds), G Dimencio Vaughn (14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 39.3% 3-pointers at Rider).
Preseason SEC Poll: Ninth
Preseason KenPom: No. 42
All-time Series: First meeting.
With a wealth of talented big men, the Rebels will be the toughest matchup for the Seahawks this season.
Ole Miss landed one of the best grad transfers on the market in the 6-8, 235-pound White, a three-year starter at Arizona State whose presence alongside Sy will help make the Rebels one of the best defensive teams in the SEC.
Shuler, in his third season at point guard, stands to make a leap as the Rebel’s top returning guard, but he’ll have some help from Vaughn, a graduate transfer from Rider whose shooting will give Ole Miss more spacing.
This one will be a contrast in styles with the Rebels looking to slow things down and get physical on defense.
Norfolk State
Dec. 18, TBA (Echols Hall; Norfolka, Va.)
Coach: Robert Jones (125-111), eighth season.
Last season: 16-15 (12-4 MEAC)
Key Players: G Joe Bryant (12 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals), G Devante Carter (9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3 assists), F J.J. Matthews (8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds at Arkansas State), G Tyrese Jenkins (4.5 points, 2.1 rebounds).
Preseason MEAC Poll: First
Preseason KenPom: No. 232
All-time Series: First meeting.
The preseason pick in the MEAC, Norfolk State looks to continue a run that has seen it go 26-6 in conference play over the past two seasons despite losing two of its top three scorers.
Bryant is a steady hand at point guard and strong defender, while Carter is likely to take a step as a scorer this season, with both players chosen for the preseason All-MEAC team. Jenkins, who excelled in a limited role last season, stands to make the biggest leap.
The Spartans aren’t a very big team, but they’ll get a major boost from the 6-9, 250-pound Matthews.
This will be another contrast in styles as the Spartans look to slow things down and grind out wins on the defensive end.
Campbell Athletics/ScarboroughPhotography.com
Campbell
Dec. 21, 1 p.m. (Gore Arena, Buies Creek)
Coach: Kevin McGeehan (106-123), eighth season.
Last season: 15-16 (6-12 Big South)
Key Players: F Cedric Henderson (12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 45% 3-pointers), G Jordan Whitfield (8.8 points, 2.4 assists, 41.5% 3-pointers), F Jesus Carralero 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds), G Austin McCullough (5 points).
Preseason Big South poll: 10th
Preseason KenPom: No. 253
All-time Series: UNCW leads, 61-44.
Life after Chris Clemons wasn’t easy last season, but the Camels did have another star emerge in Henderson, who became one of the nation’s most efficient players in his first season in Buies Creek. He figures to shoulder an even bigger load this season after the departure of Cory Gensler, Trey Spencer and Ja’Cor Nelson.
The Camels struggled mightily on offense as they looked to move into a new era, and there aren’t many clear answers on the roster beyond Henderson, although Whitfield and Carralero both showed some potential at times.
In what should be another rebuilding season for Campbell, it will look to play at a deliberate pace and rely on defense.
UNCW connection: Forward Duane Moss, son of former UNCW coach Benny Moss, is eligible after transferring from Chattanooga.
Delaware State
Dec. 23, 1 p.m. (Trask Coliseum)
Coach: Eric Skeeters (12-51), third season.
Last season: 6-26 (4-12 MEAC)
Key Players: G Pinky Wiley (9.9 points, 3.1 assists), F Ameer Bennett (9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds), G Myles Carter (9.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 42.2% 3-pointers).
Preseason MEAC Poll: Ninth
Preseason KenPom: No. 350
All-time Series: First meeting.
Skeeters enters his third season leading a program that hasn’t experienced much success over the past decade. The good news is that the majority of the Hornets’ best players are young and the program is poised to take a step forward. The bad news is that they’re still a few years away from being competitive in the nonconference schedule.
With the departure of John Crosby, who led DSU in scoring last season, both Wiley and Carter — an excellent shooter — both stand to take a bigger role in the offense. Meanwhile, Bennett will the Hornets’ most reliable presence in the post.
This should be a fun matchup between two teams that like to run as DSU ranked fifth nationally in tempo last season and 10th in both offensive and defensive possession length.