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Men's Basketball Joe Browning

Seahawks Face Dolphins In Early Saturday Tilt

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – It's been almost one year to the day since Jacksonville kick started the UNCW men's basketball team's run to one of the most successful seasons in the program's history.
 
On Dec. 11, 2021, Jacksonville bullied UNCW, 77-48, at tiny Swisher Gymnasium, handing the Seahawks their worst loss of the season and leaving Takayo Siddle's club searching for answers. The response came quickly in a 12-game winning streak that resulted with the championship of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and a sparkling 27-9 finish in a memorable season.
 
The teams, both off to strong starts in 2022-23, wrap up a two-game series early Saturday (Dec. 10, 2022) in a 4 p.m. start at Trask Coliseum. Last year's CAA regular season and CBI champions will be honored during a special ring presentation prior to tip-off.
 
The UNCW-JU matchup may be heard on 95.9 FM The Breeze, with play-by-play voice Mike Vaccaro and color analyst Marty Feurer on the call, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Video is available on FloSports.com.
 
UNCW, 7-3, has won six consecutive games behind a stingy defense and balanced scoring attack. The streak includes capturing the Baha Mar Nassau Championship over the Thanksgiving holiday and timely contributions up and down the lineup from a team that features both versatility and depth.
 
During their hot streak, the Seahawks have called on their trademark defense to set the tone, limiting opponents to 56.2 points per game and just 37.3 percent shooting in the stretch. Siddle's squad has defended the three-point arc well, holding foes to just 28-for-121 beyond the arc in the span.
 
A season-opening loss at North Carolina seems like a long time ago. The Seahawks have bounced back in a big way from a rugged start that included losses to the Tar Heels, Oklahoma and UConn on the road. UNCW's last loss came at unbeaten UConn 22 days ago in Storrs.
 
Jacksonville, which competes in the ASUN Conference, closed out the 2021-22 season with a 21-10 record and has picked up where it left off behind a veteran group of returnees. Redshirt senior guard Kevion Nolan tops the club in scoring with 14.3 ppg and redshirt junior forward Mike Marsh is collecting 13.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg.
 
The Seahawks remember Nolan well. The Anniston, Ala., product made 6-of-11 shots, including 4-for-7 from deep, for a team-high 17 points in last year's romp in Florida. The Dolphins shot a torrid 55.1 percent and forced 19 Seahawk turnovers in the contest.
 
JU is coming off an impressive 73-62 road decision over VCU on Wednesday night in Richmond. Nolan played all 40 minutes, pouring in 20 points, and Marsh added 17 points and nine rebounds in a game the Dolphins led by as many as 16 points in the second half.
 
The only losses for the Dolphins this season have come to Duke (71-44) and UAB (80-61) on the road. Like the Seahawks, JU hangs its hat on defense, allowing opponents to score just 55.7 ppg and shoot 36.1 percent.
 
UNCW returns to its home court following a 74-61 verdict against rival East Carolina on Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Trazarien White notched his second double-double of the season and fourth of his career with 18 points and 14 rebounds against the Pirates before a sellout crowd. The Seahawks handcuffed the Pirates to 32 percent shooting in the first half and only 2-for-14 behind the three-point line.
 
OPENING TIPS: The game is the second leg of a three-game home stand that winds up next Sunday, Dec. 18, vs. High Point…The series is tied at 3-all…Both teams advanced to the tournament championships of their respective conferences last season…Jaylen Sims was the only Seahawk to reach double figures in last year's matchup with 12 points…UNCW trailed, 35-14, at halftime in last year's matchup…Siddle is 18-6 in home games during his three seasons…The Seahawks topped the Dolphins, 71-53, on Nov. 24, 2003, in the only pairing played at Trask Coliseum in the series…UNCW owns a 13-12 record against current ASUN schools…Former Seahawk hoops standout Trevor Deloach is in his second season on Jordan Mincy's coaching staff at JU…The Seahawks are tackling the second of six games in December…Siddle stands 23-11 against non-conference opponents.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jaylen Sims

#30 Jaylen Sims

G
6' 6"
Senior
Trazarien White

#13 Trazarien White

F
6' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jaylen Sims

#30 Jaylen Sims

6' 6"
Senior
G
Trazarien White

#13 Trazarien White

6' 6"
Sophomore
F