WILMINGTON, North Carolina – With recovery efforts for Hurricane Florence in full swing and campus still closed, the UNCW men's and women's basketball teams will open fall practice for the 2018-19 season away from their home nest in Trask Coliseum.
 
The men, who begin their second season under C.B. McGrath, will work out briefly in Chapel Hill on Monday (Sept. 24) before starting fall drills officially on Tuesday (Sept. 25) at the Dean E. Smith Center's practice facility. The women and second-year head coach Karen Barefoot also begin practice on Tuesday nearby at Carmichael Arena.
 
Both teams will return to the Port City to continue their preparations for the new campaign when campus reopens to students.
 
UNCW Director of Athletics Jimmy Bass: "We're very grateful to the North Carolina staff for their generosity and hospitality in allowing us to conduct practice in Chapel Hill," said Jimmy Bass, UNCW's athletic director. "It's been a difficult two weeks for all of our coaches and student-athletes. This will give them an opportunity to be together again and prepare adequately for the upcoming season."
 
UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham: "Our men's and women's basketball teams and the staffs at the Smith Center and Carmichael Arena were quick to say yes. The storms had such a devastating impact and the relief efforts are rightly focused on financial assistance and necessary supplies, but we all know their seasons are important to them, too, and the rest of the country gets started next week. We're just glad we can help the UNCW student-athletes and coaches begin their practice schedules on time."