With the expectation of comfortably winning against D2 opponents, it's more about the process than result.

For the Seahawks, that means showing up with focus and shoring up some of the defensive woes that have been apparent over the exhibition schedule.

Coach Takayo Siddle didn't mince words when UNCW allowed 45 points in the first half against UNCG — one week after allowing 49 in the half vs. HPU.

"We're not defending worth a damn," he told Marty Feurer.

There were some improvements in the second half, but overall, the Hawks haven't been sharp in transition defense, and were prone to being caught sleeping vs. cutters at HPU.

This game should be judged more by what it looks like on the court — was UMO able to get a handful of easy buckets? How many uncontested threes did the Trojans get off?

UMO wants to play fast, and so do the Seahawks. Points per possession will be a better measure than total points allowed.

This team is still learning to play together, and casually hung 97 points on UNCG. Pretty encouraging!

There's a ridiculous amount of offensive talent and versatility on this roster, and they've clearly taken major steps forward in the matter of three exhibition games.

Over the first two exhibitions, the halfcourt offense occasionally got stagnant. At HPU, the Seahawks turned the ball over 18 times and weren't operating with the speed and force they needed.

That changed in a big way against UNCG,

Mount Olive's roster doesn't have the same athletes or level of talent as HPU or UNCG, but that doesn't change the goal for this game — go out and execute the offense with efficiency.

What does that look like? Get to the right spots, make quick and decisive moves to the bucket, don't over-dribble, and make the right pass. And ensure Big Pat is getting a steady diet of looks in the paint, too.

If you watched this UNCW team practice without jerseys and not knowing anyone on the floor, it's likely you'd be drawn to watching Tahlan Pettway and Treyvon Maddox.

Not because they're immediately the most dominant players on the court, but because there's just a little something different.

For Pettway, it's watching a lightning-quick smaller guard work with the ball in his hands, then stepping back and drilling a 27-foot 3-pointer.

For Maddox, his athleticism and activity immediately pop out, even as he's still getting his feet wet out there. Even as a redshirt freshman, he already physically looks like a pro.

Pettway showed some flashes over the first two exhibition games before sitting the third after getting banged up in practice. He'll be a game-time decision on Monday, but things are trending in the right direction.

For Maddox, he'll make his regular-season college hoops debut after sitting out last season at Miami. Like Pettway, he's shown flashes through the exhibition season.

Chances are, one (or both) of those dudes will give us a highlight-reel moment.