UNC Wilmington (UNCW) men’s basketball is seeking a second straight Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament championship, hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament.
The top-seeded Seahawks are set to begin CAA Tournament play against No. 9 seed Campbell. Three wins in three days are needed for UNCW to earn consecutive trips to March Madness for the first time since 2016-2017.
Seahawks’ Regular Season Success
UNCW earned the top seed in the tournament after a strong regular season. They posted a 26-5 record, with a 15-3 showing in conference play. This resulted in the Hawks’ first regular season CAA championship in four years.
Several members of the team have been recognised for their performance. Head coach Takayo Siddle was named conference coach of the year. Senior guard Madison Durr was voted Sixth Man of the Year by the league’s head coaches. Redshirt junior Patrick Wessler was named to the All-CAA First Team, and senior guard Nolan Hodge was named to the All-CAA Second Team.
Recalling Last Year’s Tournament Run
Last March, UNCW beat Hampton, Charleston and Delaware to win the 2025 CAA Tournament. The semifinal and championship victories were close, each decided by four points or less.
In the championship game, the Seahawks took an eight-point lead into halftime after a first-half run. The 12th-seeded Blue Hens rallied back, but UNCW secured the win with late free throws. Donovan Newby was named MVP of the tournament after averaging over 16 points per game.
“It means everything to our city to bring a trophy back, we hadn’t won it since 2017,” said Siddle after that win. “We’re a very prideful university, a very prideful basketball program and to be back on top is definitely special.”
Looking Ahead to the Tournament
- UNCW’s quarterfinal game against Campbell tips off at 12 p.m. Sunday from CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.
- The Seahawks defeated the Fighting Camels twice this season, with both wins by five points or less.
- The only CAA teams to beat UNCW this year were William & Mary and Charleston.
- Both William & Mary and Charleston are on the opposite side of the tournament bracket.
UNCW earned a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year, and fell against No. 3 seed Texas Tech 82-72 in the first round. It marked the Hawks’ first March Madness appearance since 2017, and Siddle’s first as head coach.
UNCW wouldn’t have to play William & Mary or Charleston until the championship game.