UNCW Seahawks (10-21 overall, 5-13 conference)
Projected starting five:
Fr. G Craig Ponder
Jr. G Tanner Milson
So. G Freddie Jackson
Sr. F Keith Rendleman
So. F Cedric Williams
Important departures:
Three starters are gone, all via the transfer route: G Adam Smith (13.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg), Donte Morales (7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 apg) and K.K. Simmons ( 7.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.9 apg)
Returning:
53.1 percent of scoring and 71.1 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Jr. G Marcus Graham (junior college)
Sr. G Tyree Graham (transfer from Rutgers)
Fr. G Chris Dixon
Fr. C C.J. Gettys
Fr. F Luke Hager
Fr. F Alex Kilmartin
Fr. G Craig Ponder (redshirted)
Fr. F Dylan Sherwood
Schedule Highlights:
The Seahawks won’t have it easy, but it won’t be like last year when they had to travel all over the place. But they have five home games on tap, with road dates at Ohio, Purdue, Davidson, Richmond, Marshall and Georgia Tech. In CAA play, they catch a break by getting George Mason and Drexel just once each.
Projected finish and outlook:
A year after the Seahawks looked to be starting over, they appear to be doing just that again as three underclassmen transferred in part because the program was declared ineligible for the NCAA Tournament due to low APR scores. The Seahawks once again are a team heavy in freshmen and sophomores, and although they have one of the conference’s best players in Rendleman and a rising star in Williams they also have a lot of questions. Ponder returns after redshirting last season, and should immediately run the show as their most talented floor leader. Milson and Jackson are capable perimeter partners, while Tyree Graham could start right away as well as one of the team’s most experienced players despite being a newcomer to the program. The real strength is up front as there is potentially very good depth behind Rendleman and Williams, the latter of whom made big strides late last season. Last season was a rebuilding year, but this season looks to be another one in Wilmington as they try to build for being eligible for postseason play again in another year.
