UNCW

Northeast non-TV Bracket Busters preview

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:23:55 -0800

Here’s a quick preview of the ESPNU O’Reilly Bracket Busters games this weekend that will not be shown on television involving northeast teams. In most cases, the organizers of this event have done a better job of limiting the travel for non-television games, with the exception of UC Davis visiting Loyola (MD) among games involving northeast leagues. Bracket Busters, originally put together to provide schools in non-BCS leagues one last opportunity to add to their resume, now involves some 100 schools from sixteen conferences. Niagara @ Appalachian State (Saturday, 1 PM) The nation’s leading scorer, Charron Fisher, takes his act on the road as the Purple Eagles visit the Mountaineers of the Southern Conference. Fisher has eclipsed the forty point mark in two of his last three games, including 45 and nine rebounds against Loyola (MD). Niagara (with help from Tyrone Lewis, Stanley Hodge and an improving Benson Egemonye) will look to run and put up a lot of points, but the Mountaineers are also capable of scoring some points. Six players score at least seven points per game, led by senior forward Donte Minter. I’ll take the Mountaineers due to the home court advantage. Northeastern @ Holy Cross (Saturday, 4 PM) The Huskies make the short trip to Worcester to take on a Crusader team still trying to recover from a slow start in Patriot League play. Tim Clifford is Holy Cross’ best offensive option, but it’s been the health of PG Pat Doherty that has been the concern. His Achilles injury at San Francisco was the catalyst for a five-game skid early in 2008, and the team has been up and down ever since. Northeastern, looking to end their two-game skid, will counter with a balanced scoring attack led by wing Matt Janning. Normally, I’d go with the home-court advantage, especially with an environment as hostile as the one awaiting NU’s arrival. But I’m going to take the Huskies due to the fact that they’re a more balanced team on offense. Bucknell @ Old Dominion (Saturday, 7 PM) The Bison, like their Patriot League rivals, have uncharacteristically struggled in league play this year. But given the number of losses due to graduation over the last two seasons, you can understand why this team isn’t in its usual perch atop the conference standings. Guards John Griffin, Justin Castleberry and Stephen Tyree are the main men on the offensive end of the floor, and they’re going to have their hands full in Norfolk. Forward Gerald Lee leads the Monarchs in scoring, but they have seven players averaging at least six points per game. In their last four games, all wins, three different Monarchs have led the team in scoring (Lee twice, Brian Henderson and Abdi Lidonde once apiece). I like the Monarchs to win this one. Vermont @ UNC-Wilmington (Saturday, 7 PM) If you’re looking to find a candidate for the most improved player in the country (yes, country), look no further than Vermont’s Marqus Blakely. After averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season, the sophomore forward is up to 19.8 and 10.8 this year. And only two players have a 30/20 game to their credit this season: Michael Beasley and…Marqus Blakely. Mike Trimboli and Kyle Cieplicki are also more than capable of scoring from the perimeter. As for the Seahawks, four players average at least twelve points per game, led by senior guard T.J. Carter’s 15.8. Possessing a home record of 11-2, UNCW comes into this one riding a four-game win streak. Expect this one to be a close one, but I like the Seahawks to come out on top. UC Davis @ Loyola-Maryland (Saturday, 1 PM) Well, this one could get ugly as the Greyhounds host the Aggies. UC Davis, currently dead last in the Big West, has lost their last nine and are the league’s worst defensive team (opponents shoot 48.1% from the field). And when you’ve got to stop a player like G Gerald Brown, that could be bad news for the Aggies. Brown will have some help on the offensive end, supplied by Michael Tuck and Marquis Sullivan. The Aggies are led by guards Vince Oliver and Shane Hanson, but they have a road record of 1-11 for the season. I like Loyola to win this one. Hofstra @ Iona (Saturday, 2 PM) The Gaels host one of the nation’s best scorers in Hofstra’s Antoine Agudio, and with Iona preferring to quicken the pace this could be a game in which Agudio puts up some points. But the trend all season has been that the Pride are only as successful as Agudio’s supporting cast, and a group led by Charles Jenkins has become more confident as the season has progressed. On the other side, Kevin Willard’s first year as head coach has been streaky in regards to results, with a three game win streak followed by a short losing spell. Iona ended a two-game skid with a win at Canisius on Monday night, and five players averaging about eight points per game (Kyle Camper averages 7.8 to be exact). The key to this one will be how well Hofstra takes care of the basketball, something they haven’t done well on the road this season (3-9 away from home). I’ll take Iona by a basket. Fairfield @ Drexel (Saturday, 4 PM) The Stags, winners of five in a row, take their on one of the CAA’s worst offensive teams in the Dragons of Drexel. Center Frank Elegar leads Drexel in both scoring and rebounding, but the points have been few and far between for a team looking to replace the likes of Bashir Mason and Dominic Mejia from last season’s team. Fairfield, on the other hand, has received a boost from the likes of seniors Marty O’Sullivan and Mamadou Diakhate, two players who weren’t expected to see much playing time throughout the remainder of the season. But the team runs based on the play of PG Jonathan Han, the MAAC’s assist leader. With six road wins already to their credit, I like the Stags to pick up a seventh. Youngstown State @ Buffalo (Saturday, 4 PM) With two of the bottom feeders in their respective leagues on display, you have to dig a little deeper to figure out who to watch in this one. How about guards Andy Robinson (Buffalo) and Byron Davis (Youngstown State)? Both lead their teams in scoring, but truth be told each team has a couple of places from which the points can come. I’m taking Buffalo for one simple reason: The Penguins are 1-11 on the road this season. Binghamton @ Manhattan (Saturday, 4 PM) One of three matchups between America East and MAAC schools, this one will be an interesting affair due to the age difference between the backcourts. Manhattan, led by Antoine Pearson and Devon Austin (Austin’s a wing), rely primarily on sophomores while Binghamton’s backcourt is manned by seniors Mike Gordon and Richard Forbes. The Bearcats’ leading scorer, however, is sophomore forward Lazar Trifunovic (14.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg). I like the Jaspers to move their three-game win streak to four due to the fact that they’re at home (Binghamton is 3-10 on the road this season). Albany @ Canisius (Saturday, 7:30 PM) There’s no Jamar Wilson, but the Great Danes are still in third place in America East. The leader this season is Brian Lillis, a wing currently averaging sixteen points per game. In all, five Great Danes are averaging at least 7.7 points per game. Their opponent has one of the quickest guards in the MAAC in Frank Turner, but little has gone right this year for the 4-22 Golden Griffins. Losers of five straight games, I don’t think Canisius plays good enough defense (allowing 73.1 points per game) to end the skid in this one. Boston University @ St. Peter’s (Saturday, 2 PM) The Terriers have won six of their last seven, while the Peacocks have lost eleven of thirteen. SPC has one of the toughest competitors in the MAAC in senior Todd Sowell, but as a team they simply don’t defend well enough or take good enough care of the basketball (averaging sixteen turnovers per game). When you have four players scoring in double figures, turnovers are a sure way to keep your win total low. Corey Lowe, one of the best guards in America East, leads BU with eighteen points per game, but the improved play of freshman John Holland has been the catalyst for their recent run of good play. I like the Terriers to get a road win in this one.

Daily Dribble: Top 10 Players in the CAA

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:05:03 -0800

Overall, the CAA doesn't have as much talent as other Top 12 conferences, but it has arguably the best non-BCS player in VCU's Eric Maynor. Two players who didn't suit up last year, UNCW's TJ Carter (injury) and James Madison's Abdulai Jalloh (transfer) made the Top 10. Colonial Athletic Association 1. Eric Maynor, G, VCU 2. Antoine Agudio, G, Hofstra 3. Frank Elegar, C, Drexel 4. Will Thomas, F, George Mason 5. TJ Carter, G, UNC-Wilmington 6. Matt Janning, G, Northeastern 7. Herb Courtney, F, Delaware 8. Folarin Campbell, G/F, George Mason 9. Abdulai Jalloh, G, James Madison 10. Vladimir Kuljanin, F, UNC-Wilmington Next In Line Terrance Carter, F, James Madison Wil Fameni, F, VCU Todd Hendley, F, UNC-Wilmington Brandon Johnson, G, Old Dominion Leonard Mendez, G, Georgia State Check back tomorrow for my ranking of the CUSA.

Interview: UNCW Head Coach Benny Moss

Shawn Siegel — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:32:28 -0700

Coming off a 7-22 season, most teams wouldn't be expected to finish in the top half of their league. But with the return of star guard TJ Carter, head coach Benny Moss is hoping for big things out of UNCW. The Seahawks second year coach takes part in our Q&A series:

CHN) Based on what you saw last year, what's the biggest improvement your team needs to get to the next level?

Benny Moss) Our biggest improvement needs to come at the defensive end of the floor, where we need to be more consistent. Overall, we must be more balanced offensively and defensively, but from the defensive standpoint, we've got to get better.

CHN) Are you settled with the starting lineup? Expect any particular battles for the open spots?

BM) No, I'm not settled. We've got too many new guys and too much youth. The most competitive spot will be at point guard between junior college transfer Marlo Davis and freshman Chad Tomko.

CHN) It might be hard to pick out one, but who is the most talented player you've ever coached?

BM) Rodney White, who was drafted ninth by the Detroit Pistons in the 2001 draft, has to be that player. He had size, skill and was 6-9, 235 pounds. He had guard-like skills because he could handle, pass and shoot the basketball.

CHN) Talk about one or two guys that stand out as being underrated contributors to your team's success?

BM) Daniel Fountain and Montez Downey will be keys. They are in more comfortable roles this season because T.J. (Carter) is coming back, along with the development of Vlad Kuljanin and Todd Hendley.

CHN) What do you think will be the hardest game on this year's schedule?

BM) Indiana. They have the No. 1 recruiting class coming in, along with D.J. White, who removed his name from the NBA draft. I've seen them ranked in the preseason Top 10. On top of that, it's a road game for us.

CHN) Realistically, what should UNCW fans and media expect from your team this year?

BM) We should be in the top half of the conference, but we can reach the upper echelon - the top three - if the freshmen and sophomores play like sophomores and juniors. It depends how quickly they catch on.

2007-08 UNCW Basketball Preview

Joel Welser — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:22:12 -0700

UNC Wilmington Seahawks

Overall Rank: #94

Conference Rank: #4 Colonial

2006-07: 7-22, 4-14, 10^th (t)

2006-07 postseason: none

It is not everyday that a seven win team in the Colonial Athletic Association cracks any list, no matter how insanely large that list may be. Yet, UNC Wilmington has high expectations after winning just four conference games a year ago and Coach Benny Moss’ squad should be mentioned with the top level teams in the conference this season.

Who’s Out:

The absence of Temi Soyebo, who averaged a team high 5.9 assists and 1.9 steals and added 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, makes it sound like the Seahawks should be worse than last year. While Soyebo is a big loss, the team will still be better this year. Forwards Dejan Grkovic and Jeff Horowitz were important parts of the teams ten man rotation, mostly off the bench, and have wrapped up their collegiate careers.

Who’s In:

We cannot go too long without talking about T.J. Carter. When it became apparent that the 6-3 guard would miss the 2006-2007 season with an injury, the Seahawks were in trouble. Carter led the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game in 2005-2006 and now healthy, Carter will be the go-to scorer on the perimeter that the team so desperately lacked in his absence. While having Carter back will certainly help, the backcourt still needs to find a replacement for Soyebo at the point. Marlo Davis is the likely candidate to earn the starting job. The Second-team JUCO All-American honoree is a true point guard and is known for creating havoc for the opposition on both sides of the court. Chad Tomko, an incoming freshman, will not give the starting job to Davis. Tomko adds a bigger scoring dynamic to the point than Davis and the 5-11 Charlotte, North Carolina product will be asked to see plenty of action even if he does not start. Small forward Dominique Lacy is a monster on the glass. He has single handedly turned the Seahawks into an athletic team and having the 6-7 forward streaking across the floor will add a much needed dynamic to the team. However, how effective he can really be as a freshman remains to be seen. Rob Sikes and Jason Aycock will add some depth up front. Sikes, the reigning Mississippi Press Area Player-of-the-Year, averaged 23.0 points and 11.0 rebounds during his senior campaign. The 6-9, 245 pound forward will be pressed into duty with limited depth in the paint. If injuries or foul trouble become big problems, walk-on Aycock could be thrown into the fire.

Who to Watch:

Depth may be an issue for the frontcourt, but the starters do not lack any talent. Vladimir Kulijanin, a 6-10, 265 pound senior, led the team with 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds during the 2006-2007 campaign. His partner in crime, power forward Todd Hendley, added 11.1 points and 4.1 boards. Unlike Kulijanin, Hendley can stretch the defense and hit the three-ball, but considering the opposition generally was unthreatened by the perimeter, the frontcourt duo put up good numbers. With Carter back on the floor, the defense will not be able to concentrate on the frontcourt without getting burned by Carter.

Final Projection:

Daniel Fountain and Montez Downey were the main shooters on the team. While one will lose a starting job with Carter coming back, both will continue to be decent shooters. With Darryl Felder, Josh Sheets and Derion Jeralds returning, the perimeter group does not lack any depth. Jeralds may take over the point guard job if the newcomers run into any problems. Every player on the UNC Wilmington roster last year started at least three games. The inconsistency and injuries hampered the team all year long. That will not be a problem this year and even the coaching staff has a year under their belt to return the Seahawks back to a favorite in the CAA.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

Projected Starting Five:

Marlo Davis, Junior, Guard, DNP last season

Daniel Fountain, Senior, Guard, 10.0 points per game

T.J. Carter, Senior, Guard, DNP last season

Todd Hendley, Senior, Forward, 11.1 points per game

Vladimir Kuljanin, Senior, Center, 13.6 points per game

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2007-08 Preview | Discuss the Preview

Hofstra Beats UNCW in 2OT

Press Release — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:03:55 -0800

Wilmington, NC (Jan. 3) - Guards Loren Stokes (Buffalo, NY), Antoine Agudio and Carlos Rivera combined for 65 points as the Hofstra Men's Basketball team captured an 80-69 double-overtime win over UNC Wilmington on Wednesday evening at Trask Coliseum.

The Pride improves to 9-4 on the season and 2-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while winning its third straight game and ninth in its last 10. Hofstra also captured its first-ever win at UNC Wilmington, after losing its first five meetings at Trask Coliseum since joining the CAA in 2001-02. The Seahawks slip to 3-8 overall and 0-2 in the CAA with the loss.

Stokes finished with 26 points, Agudio had 23, including a career-high tying six three-pointers, and Rivera added 16 points and a career-high tying 10 assists. The threesome entered the contest as the highest scoring three-man backcourt combination in the country at 50.3 points per game, and exceeded that average by 15.

Hofstra had chances to win at the end of regulation and the end of the first overtime. After a Stokes jumper gave the Pride a 61-59 lead with 1:02 left, UNC Wilmington guard Temi Soyebo answered with a driving lay-up to even the score. Hofstra held the ball for the last shot, but Stokes missed a 15-footer with two seconds left, leaving the score deadlocked at 61-61.

In overtime, the Pride trailed by two in the final minute after Soyebo converted on another driving lay-up, but Hofstra answered when it came up with an alley-oop to Stokes out of a time-out to even the score. The Pride then forced a turnover with a midcourt trap on the Seahawks' ensuing possession, but Rivera missed a driving lay-up as time expired to leave the score tied at 65-65.

In the second overtime, the supporting cast stepped up as sophomore forward Zygis Sestokas (Vilnius, Lithuania) gave the Pride the lead for good with a three-pointer at 70-67 off a feed from Rivera. Sophomore forward Mike Davis-Sabb then converted an old fashioned three-play off another Rivera assist to stretch the lead to 73-67. Rivera then capped off the run with a driving lay-up to extend the lead to eight, and the Pride was able to cruise from there.

UNC Wilmington opened the game with its usual starting five on the bench, and the Pride jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on three-pointers from Agudio and Sestokas. However, the Seahawks responded and took an 8-6 lead on a three-pointer from Daniel Fountain at the 16:38 mark. UNC Wilmington led by as many as 10 points in the first half at 28-18, but Agudio scored Hofstra's last nine points of the opening stanza on two three-pointers and three foul shots to pull the Pride within 34-31 at the break.

- Hofstra Media Relations -

2006-07 Preview: Team's #111-120

Joel Welser — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:49:42 -0700

Capsules of teams ranked 111th to 120th in CHN's 144 Teams in 144 Days Preview.