Season opening doubleheader tonight at Trask Coliseum for UNCW basketball
WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) — A special ring ceremony precedes the season opener for the defending Colonial Athletic Association champion UNCW men’s basketball team as the Seahawks embark on the new campaign late Friday vs. NCAA Division II Claflin.
The Seahawks, who tied a school record by going 25-8 one year ago, battle the Panthers at 7:40 p.m. in the nightcap of a doubleheader with the women’s team. Coach Adell Harris and her club squares off against Norfolk State in the opener at 4:30 p.m.
Two-time CAA Coach-of-the-Year Kevin Keatts welcomes the bulk of last year’s talented unit and has added some new weapons to his already-deep arsenal.
“Like most coaches in the country, we’re excited about getting the season started,” said Keatts, who owns a 43-22 career record in two seasons. “On tape, Claflin has a very good team coming back. They have three starters back and a young man inside who is one of the best shot blockers in the country. They are not a traditional Division II team because they have the size to match up with us.
“This is totally different than the exhibition game. This one is for real. Every game you play from now on obviously prepares you for March, so it’s a very important game for us.
“Since I’ve been here, our teams have always shared the basketball well. I don’t think there’s one guy playing for himself. Our guys are playing for the name on front of the jersey.
“Anytime you’re playing someone for the first time and they have new faces and new pieces, you don’t know exactly what those guys bring to the table. I do know that they have an up-tempo team and I’m expecting a big challenge from them.”
Friday marks the inaugural meeting between the Seahawks and Panthers. UNCW stands 56-38 lifetime against South Carolina opponents and has won eight in a row against teams from the Palmetto State. Keatts has not lost to a South Carolina-based club in seven tries.
Before the contest, at approximately 7:25 p.m., the players and coaching staff of the 2016 CAA Champions will receive their title rings. The CAA crown was the fifth overall for UNCW and the first since 2006.
The Seahawks are opening the season at home for the second straight year and have won six of their last 10 season debuts.
In their lone exhibition game, the Seahawks steamrolled Mount Olive, 117-65, and set school records for most points scored in a tune-up and largest victory margin. Explosive sophomore guard C.J. Bryce anchored a whopping seven players in double figures with 19 points and sophomore forward Devontae Cacok registered a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Claflin is located in Orangeburg, S.C., and competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Coach Ricky Jackson begins his fourth season with the Panthers, who went 16-13 one year ago and tied for second in the SIAC’s East Division at 10-8.
Senior Ryan McNeill-Moses, a 6-4, 200-pound forward, is one of three returning starters and is the top returning scorer at 9.0 points per game.
Live Seahawk Digital Network (SDN) coverage of the contest begins with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m. Simply visit UNCWsports.com, click on the “Live Events” button in the top right-hand corner and follow the prompts for for a free audio and/or video feed of the contest. In addition, a radio broadcast of the game can be heard on WLSG 94.1 FM and 1340 AM (Wilmington) and WSME 97.1 FM and 1120 AM (Jacksonville).
Season tickets are still available by visiting the UNCW Athletics Ticket Office in Trask Coliseum, calling 1-800-808-UNCW or clicking on the Tickets button via UNCWSports.com. Tickets start as low as $99, with 5 and 8-game mini-plans also available.
Seahawk Sports Marketing officials have designated Friday’s game as “Brett Blizzard Night” since it falls on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Adult tickets are only $11 when purchased in advance, a savings of $7 off the regular price.
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