With another chance to run, will Seahawks take advantage?

UNCW (0-1) vs. UNC Asheville (0-0)

3:30 p.m. | Kimmel Arena, Asheville | TV: ESPN+ | Listen | Game Notes

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), F Coty Jude (10 points, 3.9 rebounds)

After a disappointing second half performance in a 98-76 loss to Western Carolina in the season-opener, UNCW gets back to work against another team that wants to push the pace in UNC Asheville.

KenPom rankings for UNCW: No. 275 overall; No. 247 Offense, No. 293 Defense.

KenPom forecast: UNC Asheville 78, UNCW 72 (30 percent chance of victory)

Here’s what to watch for as the Seahawks play their second of three games over a four-day stretch in Asheville:

Potential Point Problem

Until Shykeim Phillips (and to a lesser extent, Ja’Juan Dodd) is back, UNCW is playing at a major disadvantage and it’s tough to draw many conclusions about where the Seahawks are in terms of growing into Takayo Siddle’s system.

Ty Gadsden and Mike Okauru are capable of handling the ball, but both players function better playing alongside a true point guard that can push the pace and get UNCW into what it wants to do offensively.

And it’s not just those two that suffer from the absence of Phillips, as we saw in Wednesday’s five-assist performance that was too reliant on guys creating their own shots.

Another problem arises against the Bulldogs in the form of the chaotic, pressing defensive philosophy of Coach Mike Morrell, who spent several years working under Shaka Smart at VCU and Texas.

Last season, UNCA ranked 25th nationally in defensive turnover rate, getting takeaways on 22.5 percent of possessions.

After combining for six turnovers and four assists vs. WCU, Okauru and Gadsden will have to be a bit sharper to give UNCW a chance to win.

Stay Consistent

It got lost in WCU’s big second half run on Wednesday, but for about 25 minutes, UNCW played some solid basketball despite being shorthanded and battling foul trouble.

Some of that was a super-human offensive effort for Jaylen Sims and some was courtesy of forcing some turnovers on the press, finishing with 16 in all.

When it went south during the three-minute run, it ALL went south. UNCW rushed a few bad shots, tried some silly passes and let a bad stretch become a bad half.

The beauty of the way the Seahawks want to play is that a few big plays can turn into a deluge in the right direction – a made 3-pointer allows UNCW to press, and in turn, to seize momentum with a turnover.

On Wednesday, it did the opposite as a missed shot became poor transition defense and easy baskets for WCU.

UNCA will make a run on Friday. How will the Seahawks handle it this time?

Who’s the Big Man?

It certainly came as a surprise to see John Bowen to start in the five spot on Wednesday, and the 6-7, 200-pound forward did what he could in a tough situation, playing hard and grabbing two rebounds in 11 minutes.

Surprisingly, Imajae Dodd ended up with 11 minutes, too, going 1 of 3 from the field with two points and two fouls. No word on whether Dodd’s role was related to an injury, illness or simply a coach’s decision.

Ian Steere (injury) is with the team, which would suggest it’s at least possible he’ll be able to play in Asheville. His UNCW debut would go a long way toward solving some of the issues the Seahawks had with interior defense on Wednesday when WCU dominated 50-26 scoring in the paint.

Will Dodd or Bowen make a bigger impact, or is it possible that UNCW chooses to go ultra-fast with Jake Boggs — who rebounded exceptionally — at the five and hope the improved offensive flow can make up for any defensive concerns?

Hello, Harvey

Something else lost in the shuffle on Wednesday was a solid debut for freshman Jamahri Harvey, who managed eight points (4/11 FG, 0/5 3-pointers) in 30 minutes with just two turnovers.

A lengthy combo guard, Harvey did some work both as a ballhandler and on the wing and didn’t hesitate to let it fly when he got a look. That’s something you can’t teach in a youngster and will bode well for a big game in the near future.

Always Attacking

UNCW attempted 31 free throws on Wednesday, including a 13-of-18 performance for Sims, who had a great approach in deciding when to shoot jumpers and when to go to the bucket.

Just like UNCW’s defensive pressure is prone to having fouls called, UNCA will also send opponents to the line. Given the struggles that the Seahawks had in creating offense in the second half vs. WCU, going to the rack and looking for contact will be a great way to help grind out points.