UNCW is riding a seven-game winning streak

UNCW (8-3) vs. High Point (8-2)

2 p.m. | Trask Coliseum | FloHoops | Listen | Stats

Another weekend, another date with an opponent who helped launch the Seahawks into their successful turnaround last season.

One year ago, it was Jaylen Sims’ late layup that delivered UNCW’s first wild win of the season — the second game of what would become a program-changing 12-game winning streak.

Today, the Seahawks are looking to pick up where they left off in last Saturday’s blowout win over Jacksonville, which pushed their winning streak to seven before a week-long break for final exams.

Here’s what to watch for against the upstart Panthers.

UNCW Game Notes | High Point Game Notes

KenPom rankings for UNCW: No. 121 overall; No. 159 offense, No. 101 defense.

KenPom rankings for HPU: No. 197 overall; No. 179 offense, No. 222 defense.

KenPom forecast: UNCW 76, High Point 68 (76 percent chance of victory).

About the Panthers

Personnel: G Jaden House (21.2 points, 4.9 rebounds), F Zack Austin (15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds), G Abdoulaye Thiam (15.5 points, 42.6% 3FG), G Bryant Randleman (9.0 points, 3.5 assists), F Emmanuel Izunabor (5.6 points, 6.3 rebounds).

Much has changed for High Point in the transition from legendary coach Tubby Smith, who resigned last season, to his son, G.G. Smith.

Most apparent is the Panthers’ pace, as they’ve gone from playing at a relatively slow tempo to one of the fastest teams in the nation, currently ranking 20th in possessions and 13th in offensive possession length.

Expect to see plenty of House early and often, as he ranks fourth nationally in possessions used, taking 33 percent of HPU’s shots when he’s on the floor. He’s scored at least 13 points in each game this season, while going for 20 or more six times.

Austin, a 6-7, 200-pound forward, is an excellent shot-blocker who does a ton of damage in transition. Thiam is a dangerous shooter who has hit 9 of 15 3-point attempts over the past two games.

Notable wins: Dec. 6 at Furman (85-82); Nov. 12 vs. Wofford (91-80).

Notable losses: Nov. 18 at UNLV (78-68); Dec. 9 vs. Queens (87-79).

A Battle of Strengths

Something’s has got to give.

UNCW brings its dominant, stifling defense while HPU will look to get out on the break with its fast, efficient offense.

How much are the Panthers running? With HPU getting 27.7 percent of its offensive possessions in transition, Synergy Sports ranks them in the 99th percentile nationally.

(Only Long Beach State is ahead, at 27.8 percent.)

Not only do they love to run, but they’re also doing it well, averaging 1.12 points per possession. While they’re cashing in on their looks at the rim in transition, the Panthers make an effort to create good looks from beyond the arc, having hit 26 of 63 (41.7 percent) on 3-point attempts. Thiam, in particular, has been a killer in those situations, nailing 12 of 25 transition 3-point attempts.

Much of it has been cleaned up at this point, but UNCW’s defense occasionally struggled in transition this season. Quite a few of those were simply mental lapses where opponents beat defenders back down the court.

Synergy characterizes the Seahawks’ transition defense as “average,” ranking in the 38th percentile nationally. That happens with pressing, as allowing the occasional easy bucket is the trade you make for forcing turnovers.

UNCW’s success on that end today is all about minimizing those mistakes today and following the scouting report on which shooters absolutely can’t run free in a scramble.

Posting Up

Over the past several weeks, UNCW coach Takayo Siddle has made a few references to the fact that the Seahawks are running more sets early in games, and making an effort to get the ball inside to Amari Kelly.

After making an impact as a rim protector off the bench last season, the growth in Kelly’s offensive confidence is obvious.

He got — and scored — on two post entries to begin the Jacksonville game, which immediately created space on the perimeter for UNCW’s shooters.

Expect to see Kelly seeing more of those opportunities today and beyond, as the big man has been unstoppable when he gets to post up. Per Synergy, UNCW has scored on 11 of the 14 post entries Kelly has gotten, including 7 of 9 on his own shots (and creating four buckets for teammates.)

His 1.36 points per possessions in the post ranks in the 98th percentile nationally — 15th out of all players.

Meanwhile, Trazarien White is just behind him in the 95th percentile on post-ups, with the Seahawks scoring on 10 of his 13 tries.

Knocking off the Rust

It might take a few minutes to find a rhythm in this one, as both teams are coming off extended exam breaks, as HPU last played on Dec. 9 and UNCW on Dec. 10.

On top of that, Trask Coliseum won’t quite be itself, as exams ended on Saturday and most students have already gotten out of town.

Despite the long layoff, UNCW coach Takayo Siddle isn’t worried about his team losing its momentum.

“As long as they stay confident, as long as they stay confident, as long as they keep buying into our system and what we’re trying to do on both ends of the floor, I’m not concerned too much about it,” he said.

A little rust might actually favor the Hawks, as they’ve already proven they’re plenty comfortable in defensive slugfest.