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  • 🐾 Panther’s Toothsayer: UAB Blazers

    Fri, Nov 14 • Bartow Arena (Birmingham, AL)

    📍 Series & Setting

    Second-ever meeting; High Point won the first last season at the Qubein Center, 68–65. This time it’s HPU’s first true road test. Expect juice in the building: Andy Kennedy has never won fewer than 22 games at UAB, and Blazer fans want payback.

    🔍 Overview

    UAB is a near-total rebuild (14 newcomers, 0 returning starters). The results so far: 1–2 with a blowout win over MVSU, a road loss at NC State, and a gut-punch home loss to Alabama State. The shooting has cratered the last two: 4–25 from three vs NC State and 2–20 vs Alabama State (missed the first 17).
    High Point rolls in 3–0 after a 21-point win over Jacksonville; all three games have been comfortable.

    ⚙️ Team Identity: Pressure, Pace & Boards

    • Pressure/Versatility — Kennedy mixes man and multiple zones, presses situationally, and loves to scramble games.
    • Pace with Shot Volume — Historically creates extra shots through offensive rebounding and low TOs (this group has been shakier with ball security).
    • Guard-Driven Offense — Lots of off-screen action and dribble attacks for scoring guards.

    🧩 Key Blazers

    • Chance Westry (6’6” G, ~20.7 ppg) — Long point-forward type; mid-range craft, live dribble passing, confident late-clock shooter. P5 talent when healthy. Their own version of Cam Fletcher
    • Jacob Meyer (6’2” G) — Scorer who can heat up quickly; buy-low candidate after DePaul.
    • Ahmad Robinson (5’10” PG) — High-usage creator; playmaking juice but turnover-prone. Plays like a jitterbug similarly to Rob Martin. 
    • KyeRon Lindsay (6’8” F) — Toolsy, bouncy forward; effort level swings but real upside.
    • Daniel Rivera (6’7” F) — Plays with force; rebounding, rim contests, short-roll scoring.
    • Evan Chatman (6’8” F) — JUCO stretch four; active on the glass.

    📊 Tempo-Free Snapshot (early)

    • UAB: ~Top-125 KenPom profile, but swingy; OR% strong, defense aims to force mistakes, 3PT% volatile/poor so far; turnover rate up vs Kennedy’s norm.
    • HPU: ~Top-100; eFG% ~58, TO% low, live-ball TOs fueling breaks; depth across the wings; 3–0 with double-digit wins.

    Recent leaders:

    • HPU — Cam Fletcher pacing early; balanced scoring; bench punch from Martinez and Anderson units.
    • UAB — Westry leading; Rivera/Lindsay/Chatman by committee on the glass.

    🧠 Coaching Notes: Andy Kennedy (Year 6)

    • Scheme: 65/35 man-to-zone blend, lots of off-screen actions on O.
    • Points of emphasis: Shot volume (O-boards + low TOs), pressure looks to speed you up, punish soft glass.
    • 2025–26 wrinkle: With so many newcomers, turnovers and spacing have lagged; their poor shooting has decided the last couple games but can’t count on that continuing.

    🏀 Matchup Outlook vs High Point

    • Pace Tug-of-War: UAB likes controlled chaos; HPU thrives when live-ball takeaways ignite the break.
    • Glass Tax: Biggest UAB path is on the offensive boards—Panthers must finish stops which they haven’t done a great job so far this season. With Aquino at the five the Panthers can sometimes be undersized but won’t be against this Blazer squad. 
    • Perimeter Size: HPU’s bigger guards/wings (Washington/Anderson/Brady/Fletcher) can smother Robinson/Meyer and contest Westry’s pull-ups without fouling.
    • Zone Answers: Expect UAB to flash zone. Counters: nail touches (Aquino/Fletcher), short-corner seals, skip-3s for Brady/Washington/Johnston, and crash the weak side.
    • Foul Math: Keep verticality at the rim; don’t gift UAB a free-throw game.

    🗝️ Keys for HPU

    1. Turnovers → Tempo: Target +4 to +6 in takeaways; run off misses/steals.
    2. One-and-Done: Tag Rivera/Lindsay/Chatman on the weak side; no free tip-ins, can’t give them extra chances and possessions.
    3. Hunt Small Guards: Involve Robinson/Meyer in repeated actions; make them guard multiple screens.
    4. Paint to Spray: Collapse vs zone/soft closeouts, then spray to shooters; accept the extra pass.
    5. Bench Burst (25–40): Martinez and Anderson units to spike pace; win the depth minutes decisively.

    🔄 Reset, Rebound & Revenge

    • Reset: First true road game; starters can’t start slow like they did against Jacksonville. UAB needs to reset after two brutal shooting performances. 
    • Rebound: HPU faithful over the last couple seasons might remember a white board with the simple word REBOUND written across it. Since Huss departed so did the sign, but Clayman might want to break it out for this one. UAB’s best path is second chances. If the Panthers win the glass battle they should win the game.
    • Revenge: Blazers want payback for last year and to stop the skid; expect an early surge from the team and the fans in the Bartow Arena.

    🔮 Toothsayer’s Take

    UAB’s toughness and Kennedy’s scheming keep this tight, but the creation/spacing edge and two-way depth lean HPU—if the Panthers close possessions and stay disciplined vs the zone/pressure. Shooting variance travels, defense always does.

    Prediction: High Point 78, UAB 72.

  • 🐾 Panther’s Toothsayer: Averett Cougars

    Wed, Nov 5 • Qubein Center • Homecoming / Alumni Weekend

    📍 Series & Setting
    Averett makes the trip to High Point in a Division III vs. Division I matchup and a brutal scheduling spot for the Cougars. They open their season the night before against St. Mary’s (MD), then travel to the Qubein Center on short rest. It’s also the second straight year Averett plays in High Point’s Homecoming weekend; last season the Panthers won 85–57, but the Cougars fought, defended, and earned respect.

    High Point will be a heavy favorite. The Panthers are one of the top mid-majors in the country and just dismantled a talented, well-coached Furman squad. But nothing is automatic. Lower division  teams absolutely can push Division I opponents. Earlier this week Queens struggled with Averett’s ODAC rival Lynchburg this week, and Boise State, a preseason darling, just lost to Division II Hawai‘i Pacific (“the other HPU”).

    Add the human element: High Point is coming off a national splash, praise from Jeff Goodman, and early talk of an undefeated run. It’s also not only Homecoming for High Point fans but also a homecoming for the eight Averett players from North Carolina — including High Point native Isaiah Ramazani and Greensboro product Jackson Sellars. They’ll have something to prove.

    The trap is obvious: hype, attention, celebration weekend. Every player in Averett’s locker room knows it, and many will take it personally. Nothing should be sharpied in already.

    🔍 Overview
    Averett enters the season picked 9th in the ODAC — one of Division III’s toughest leagues — and ranked 366th in D3 Datacast (an NPI-style system). This roster is new across the board: transfers, freshmen, and returners figuring out roles and identity.

    Head coach David Doino — the winningest coach in program history — calls this a learn-as-you-go team built on:

    • Defensive buy-in
    • Mental toughness
    • Selflessness and role clarity
    • Never letting offense dictate defense

    There’s length on the perimeter but not much size inside — the tallest Cougar is 6’6” freshman Carter Cornett. The biggest losses from last season are All-ODAC guard Jamison Graves (transferred to Salisbury) and 1,000-point scorer Jason Sellars II.

    ⚙️ Team Identity: Defiance, Discipline, and Defensive Tenacity

    • Defiance: Compete through toughness, physicality, and making games ugly.
    • Discipline: The same mindset on every possession — sprint back, contest, rebound, repeat.
    • Defensive Tenacity: Switching, scrapping, gang rebounding to compensate for size.

    Offensively, Doino uses structured sets that allow read-based “domino effect” drives and kick-outs, but this roster still needs a reliable scorer to emerge. 

    🧩 Key Players

    • Isaiah Ramazani (So., G/W — High Point, NC): Long defender, high-motor wing, will play with extra juice at home.
    • Jackson Sellars (So., G — Greensboro, NC): Brother of last year’s 1,000-point scorer; confident creator, emotional return game.
    • Carter Cornett (Fr., F, 6’6”, 215): Tallest Cougar, plays hard but will be undersized against D-I frontcourts.

    The rest of the roster features multiple rangy wings; it’s built to defend, not bang.

    📊 By the Numbers
    Averett’s profile last season:

    • PPG: 65.8
    • FG%: 42.5%
    • 3PT%: ~32%
    • RPG: 31.3

    These are grind-it-out numbers. If this becomes a possession game, Averett can hang. If it becomes a track meet, it won’t.

    🧩 Coaching Breakdown: David Doino

    • Winningest coach in program history
    • Defensive-first, high-intensity approach
    • Preaches mental toughness and selflessness
    • Brings alumni back into the program, strong culture builder
    • Will adapt rotations; has used five-in, five-out in the past. Five guard rotations in D1 is uncommon but something Averett could definitely use. That will be something High Point has to adapt to.

    Preseason message: young team, roles forming, offense still searching, defense must lead.

    🏀 Matchup Outlook vs. High Point
    For Averett, this is a matchup challenge at every level:

    • Point of attack: Can anyone on the Cougars hope to stay in front of Rob Martin or Conrad Martinex?
    • Wings: ODAC-level length won’t match the size and athleticism of Cam Fletcher, Terry Anderson, Scotty Washington, and others. In last year’s bout, Kimani Hamilton went off for 25 points, expect the forwards for HPU to feast.
    • Interior: Owen Aquino, Youssouf Singare, Caden Miller bring size and rim pressure Averett has no counter for.
    • Fatigue vs Bench firepower: Averett will be playing on back-to-back nights with travel. They’ll have tired legs to go along with a shorter bench. Last year Braden Hausen had 18 points in 23 minutes against Averett; he’s a candidate to torch them again.

    If the Panthers run, rebound, and hunt mismatches, the separation comes fast.

    🗝️ Keys for HPU

    • Dominate early: use size, athleticism, and depth; keep the building loud
    • Defensive intensity: no slippage from Furman
    • Turnovers → pace: Averett struggles when forced to run
    • Get everyone involved: spread minutes, stay healthy
    • No mental letdowns: ignore noise, handle business

    🔮 Toothsayer’s Take
    Averett will play hard, defend, and take pride in being overlooked — especially with so many North Carolina natives. But effort won’t close the gap in size, depth, or skill, particularly on the second night of a back-to-back. High Point just needs to be professional: no oxygen for an upset, use the full roster, and get ready for Jacksonville.

    Prediction: High Point 103, Averett 57

  • 🐾 Panther’s Toothsayer: Furman Paladins

    Mon, Nov 3 • Neutral site (Rock Hill) • Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon

    📍 Series & Setting

    Almost 200 miles and a straight shot down I-85 separate these two “purple bloods,” and the parallels run well beyond color and “P” mascots. Furman has been a consistent SoCon winner and finally broke through in 2023 for its first NCAA trip in 43 years — then promptly toppled Virginia.

    Fresh off High Point’s own Big Dance berth and a wire-to-wire scare of a Power-5, the Panthers open with the Paladins in Rock Hill — a perfect showcase game for two of the most entertaining offenses in the mid-major ranks. The roster-building paths differ: HPU turns the page with a new staff and one returning starter; Furman doubles down on continuity under a coach who has been on campus since 2011 and in the head chair since 2017.

    🔍 Overview

    Under Bob Richey, Furman has become the SoCon’s standard of sustained success: multiple 20-win seasons, the 2023 league title, and that March stunner over UVA. After a dip in 2024, the Paladins bounced to 25–10 (11–7 SoCon) last season. Richey’s eight-year mark: 181–81 (99–42 SoCon).

    This edition looks very “Furman”: skill at all five spots, size on the wings, and a developmental core enhanced by one clean system fit from the portal and a promising freshman class.

    ⚙️ Team Identity: Commitment, Consistency, and Continuity

    • Commitment to concept basketball Princeton/5-Out hybrid with burn cuts, DHOs, split actions, and “attack-the-catch” reads that manufacture layups, assisted threes, and free throws.
    • Consistency in decision-making: actions flow into one another to create double/triple gaps and punish overhelp with skips.
    • Continuity year over year: veterans understand spacing discipline, while newcomers are plugged into the same read-based framework and the coaches are all well-versed in roles and responsibilities.

    Defensively, the Paladins prioritize guarding without fouling and positional rim protection. Scheme over swats; discipline over gambles.

    🧩 Key Returners

    Cooper Bowser (Jr., 6’11”, F/C) — The anchor. Efficient roller/finisher, improving face-up driver; quietly central to their best actions.
    Ben VanderWal (Sr., 6’7″, F) — Elite glue: slashing, screening, rebounding, and winning 50/50s. Staff wants him attacking, not camping.
    Tom House (Sr., 6’7″, G/W) — Spacing gravity. ~40% from deep across the last two seasons; warps help principles.
    Charles Johnston (Sr., 6’11”, F/C) — Healthy stretch big who can punish pick-and-pop coverages.
    Eddrin Bronson (So., 6’4″, G) — Next combo-to-point conversion; strength and pace in the open floor.

    🧠 New Faces to Know

    Asa Thomas (R-So., 6’7″, W; Clemson transfer) — Pure catch-and-shoot wing with size and a quick release; low-usage at Clemson but profiles as a ready-made spacer in Furman’s 5-Out.
    Abijah Franklin (Fr., 6’5″, G/W) — Explosive downhill scorer learning the reads.
    Alex Wilkins (Fr., 6’5″, PG) — Big guard with ball-screen feel and corner-to-corner vision.
    Owen Ritger (Fr., 6’9″, F) — Lefty who can pop or post; picked up the system fast.
    Cole Bowser (Fr., 6’6″, W) — Competitive wing depth with size.

    📊 By the Numbers (Opening-Day context)

    • 2024–25: 25–10 overall, 11–7 SoCon (5th), NIT bid
    • Starters returning: 3 of 5
    • Program trend: six top-100-ish seasons in the Richey era, brief dip, quick rebound
    • SoCon outlook: Tier-1 contender with one of the league’s highest ceiling/floor profiles

    🧩 Coaching Breakdown: Bob Richey (8th year HC; 14th at Furman)

    Richey’s “Further the Man” ethos fuels identity-driven recruiting and daily skill work (“365”). He toggles between DHO chains, pistol, delay, split-cuts, and constant attack-the-catch principles while reinforcing defensive accountability. Recent staff additions have sharpened player development (notably with Bowser) and added defensive structure.

    🏀 Matchup Outlook vs. High Point

    • Transition vs. Floor Balance: Furman spaces five to the arc, so missed shots can spring HPU if the first rebound is secured and outlets are decisive.
    • DHO Chains & Cuts: Expect strings of handoffs into slips/back-cuts. Weak-side communication for tags is essential; Rob Martin and Conrad Martinez must navigate DHOs without overhelp behind them.
    • Stretch Frontcourt: Bowser/Johnston stress closeouts; HPU bigs need to close under control and sit on drives while denying the pop three.
    • HPU Pressure Points: Point-of-attack shot creation, downhill rim pressure, and bench depth. Forcing Furman’s newer ballhandlers to guard in space and stacking fouls on bigs tilts the minutes.
    • Furman Counters: Early drag DHOs, quick leak-outs, and corner threes for House/Thomas if help collapses.

    Keys for HPU

    1. Win the glass to limit second chances and trigger tempo.
    2. No back-cut layups — top-lock + talk.
    3. Paint touches early → kick threes late.
    4. Bench pop to own minutes 25–40.

    🔮 Toothsayer’s Take

    Furman is polished and connected, but the ballhandling hierarchy is still settling. If House/Thomas are kept quiet and Bowser is managed on the offensive glass, High Point’s guard creation and depth should separate late on a neutral court.

    Prediction: High Point 78, Furman 73

  • 🐾 Panther’s Toothsayer: North Carolina A&T Aggies

    📍 History Between the Programs

    High Point and North Carolina A&T may be neighbors, separated by just 18 miles, but they’ve rarely crossed paths. The Panthers are 4–1 all-time against the Aggies and have won the last three meetings in this US-29 Derby. 

    After more than 15 years without a matchup, the rivalry reignited in 2021–22 when A&T joined the Big South for a cup of coffee before moving on to the CAA. While this game won’t count towards the official record I think we can all agree that the winner gets to claim Wet N Wild Emerald Pointe (located almost dead center between these campuses).

    🔍 Overview

    The Aggies enter the 2025–26 season looking to shake off a brutal stretch that’s seen back-to-back 7–25 campaigns and a pair of last-place finishes in the Coastal Athletic Association. Head coach Monté Ross is now in year three of a complete rebuild, hoping a revamped roster and newfound size will finally bring progress in Greensboro.

    Last season was defined by adversity — injuries, midseason dismissals, and depth issues forced A&T to finish the year with a six-man rotation. But despite that, the Aggies never folded. Ross called this offseason a “reset,” emphasizing toughness, character, and size in his recruiting. For the first time in years, the Aggies have real frontcourt depth and positional balance.

    ⚙️ Team Identity: Reset, Rebuild, and Reinforce

    Ross’ 2025–26 squad looks far different — bigger, deeper, and more disciplined. His priority this offseason was defense and interior presence. The Aggies finished last year 334th in offensive efficiency and 345th in shooting percentage, often settling for bad shots without the size to rebound misses.

    Now, the emphasis is on establishing an identity built on accountability, rebounding, and defensive energy. Expect A&T to play with pace but rely on effort and physicality more than pure skill. They project as one of the nation’s youngest teams, but Ross insists this group has “a real competitive edge” — something missing from previous versions of the Aggies.

    🧩 Key Returners

    Bryson Ogletree (Jr., 6’4″) – The heart of this team. Reliable, tough, and consistent. Averaged 7.3 PPG and 3.7 RPG last year, and his work ethic has made him the vocal leader of the program.
    Efstratios Kalliontzis (So., 6’11”) – Showed flashes as a freshman, hitting 56% from the field while logging heavy minutes. Brings length and a steady interior presence.
    Will Felton (Sr., 6’8″) – Former Arizona State forward who’s battled injuries. When healthy, he’s a force — physical, strong, and efficient near the rim.
    Jalal McKie (Jr., 6’5″) – Wing defender and energy guy who contributes across the board. Needs to improve his outside shooting to stay in the mix.
    Uchenna Kellman-Nicholes (So., 6’5″) – Missed last year with injury but brings defensive versatility and effort.

    🧠 New Faces to Know

    Trent Middleton Jr. (Jr., 6’3″) – Transfer from Delaware who will run the show. Veteran guard with strong instincts, defensive grit, and the ability to control pace.
    Lureon Walker (Sr., 6’5″) – A Division II standout from Mount Olive (a school High Point fans and Dr. Qubein know very well) who averaged 17.5 PPG. Athletic wing who can finish at the rim and stretch the floor.
    Lewis Walker (Fr., 6’6″) – Former UMass signee with a smooth midrange game and potential to contribute early.
    KJ Debrick (Sr., 6’9″) – Cleveland State transfer and physical big who provides scoring punch and toughness inside. Ross calls him “the best inside guy we’ve had here.”
    Amadou Doumbia (So., 6’11”) – UMass transfer with elite shot-blocking instincts. Should finally give the Aggies a real rim protector.
    Zamoku Weluche-Ume (So., 6’8″) – Former George Washington forward. Long, athletic, and versatile — can guard multiple positions and finish above the rim.

    📊 By the Numbers

    CategoryStatRank
    Offensive Efficiency95.8337th
    Defensive Efficiency111.2339th
    Adjusted Tempo72.375th
    Projected Record8–2113th in CAA
    Returning Starters1 of 5—
    Effective FG% (2024–25)45.0%345th
    Points per Game69.212th in CAA

    🧩 Coaching Breakdown: Monté Ross (3rd Year)

    Ross — a seasoned coach with roots at Delaware, Temple, and Saint Joseph’s — is trying to bring credibility back to Aggie basketball. Known for his structure and patience, Ross has weathered two chaotic seasons and enters Year 3 with his most complete roster yet.

    He’s surrounded by a veteran staff featuring Jeff Rafferty, Dorian Long, and Ricky Moore — a UConn national champion who adds defensive pedigree. Their focus: build a foundation, defend the paint, and finally establish a consistent identity.

    🏀 Matchup Outlook vs. High Point

    The second North Carolina-based CAA opponent in as many weeks — but on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of projected finish. Whereas UNCW came in second and narrowly missed the preseason favorite tag, the Aggies were picked 13th (out of 13) in the Colonial.

    High Point and North Carolina A&T may only be separated by 18 miles, but the gap between their programs right now is far wider. The Aggies are 14-50 over the last two years, while the Panthers have gone 56-15, one of the best records in all of college basketball.

    The Aggies will test HPU’s front and backcourt with legit size — especially Debrick, Doumbia, and Felton — but the Panthers’ speed and spacing should present serious problems for an A&T defense still learning to communicate.

    Expect Monté Ross to slow the tempo, crash the boards, and grind possessions, while High Point tries to impose its pace and perimeter rhythm. If the Panthers can control the glass and stay disciplined defensively, they should be able to pull away in the second half.

    One thing to really keep an eye on will be how HPU’s guards hold up on the defensive end. Rob Martin and Conrad Martinez both showed out versus Wilmington, but the Aggies’ length across all positions will be another test. Coach Clayman and his crew have preached team defense throughout the offseason, and this will be a nice physical barometer for the group.

    High Point looks to continue its trend as one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Ross and A&T will likely try to drag that attack into the mud — slowing tempo and limiting transition looks. Can the Panthers survive and thrive through that adversity when things get uncomfortable? Saturday’s matinee could provide an answer.

    🔮 Toothsayer’s Take

    This one feels like a clash of two programs with completely different starting points. High Point is building off its best two-year run and showcasing themselves as a powerhouse in the Mid-Major ranks while A&T is still finding its footing after years of instability.

    Monté Ross’ new roster has length and character, but not the same talent level as what Coach Flynn can send out. The Aggies will fight, but High Point’s shooting, tempo, guard play, and overall talent should prove decisive.

    This should serve as a valuable tune-up before the season begins in earnest. A&T is a solid second exhibition opponent: no player under 6-4, mirroring the size and physicality the Panthers will see from Furman, whose shortest rotation player is 6-4.

    Ross’ teams have shown resilience, and this year’s Aggies finally have the size and depth they’ve lacked. They may muck things up early and keep it close in a choppy grind-it-out first half but unlike the battle down in Wilmington, I expect High Point to build a substantial second-half lead and open the bench late.

    Prediction: High Point 87, North Carolina A&T 53

  • Panther’s Toothsayer: UNC Wilmington Seahawks

    🔍 Overview

    The reigning CAA Tournament Champions, UNC Wilmington enters 2025–26 fresh off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. Head coach Takayo Siddle, now in his sixth season, has built a culture centered on relentless tempo, discipline, and unselfish play. His 106–47 record (.693) and 2022 CAA Coach of the Year honor underline one of the most consistent programs in the mid-major landscape.

    Last season, the Seahawks went 27–8 (14–4 CAA) and ranked first in the league in points per game (79.2), field goal percentage (47%), and rebounding margin (+7.1) — all trademarks of Siddle’s attack-minded system.

    ⚙️ Team Identity: Fast, Fearless, and Fluid

    Siddle’s Seahawks are known for their up-tempo offense and inside-out philosophy. They ranked among the top 25 nationally in offensive efficiency and top 20 in offensive rebounding rate, thriving on second-chance points and rim attacks.

    UNCW doesn’t rely on one star — instead, they share the ball at an elite rate (15.2 assists per game) while keeping turnovers low (10.4 per game).

    Defensively, the Seahawks apply constant pressure, using length and athleticism to disrupt passing lanes. Expect a switch-heavy scheme anchored by Christian May and Madison Durr, two of their best on-ball defenders.

    🧩 Key Returners

    Noah Ross (Sr., 6’7″) – Top returning scorer (8.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG). Stretch forward with touch, rebounding, and toughness. Named to the 2025 CAA All-Tournament Team.
    Nolan Hodge (Sr., 6’7″) – Versatile wing who can score at all three levels. Dropped a team-high 18 points in UNCW’s NCAA Tournament game vs. Texas Tech.
    Greedy Williams (Sr., 6’5″) – Vocal leader and two-way threat. Brings energy, defensive presence, and experience.
    Makoi Mabor Makoi (So., 6’11”) – Developing rim protector who adds length and rebounding off the bench.

    🧠 New Faces to Know

    CJ Luster II (Sr., 6’3″) – The headline transfer from Stony Brook (16.8 PPG, 42% from deep). A smooth scorer and preseason All-CAA First Team pick.
    Patrick Wessler (R-Jr., 7’0″) – Former Virginia Tech big man and Charlotte native. True seven-footer with a 250-pound frame — will test HPU’s new-look frontcourt.
    Jahnathan Lamothe (Jr., 6’4″) – Ex-Maryland guard who brings defensive toughness and backcourt depth.
    Christian May (Sr., 6’5″) – Towson transfer with defensive bite and driving ability.
    Madison Durr (Sr., 6’5″) – Monmouth transfer praised as one of the most consistent performers in preseason workouts.

    📊 By the Numbers

    CategoryStatRank
    Points per Game79.21st in CAA
    FG%47.0%1st in CAA
    2P%53.7%Top 100
    Offensive Efficiency116.2Top 25
    Offensive Rebounding %34.4%Top 20
    Free Throw %75.0%3rd in CAA
    Assists per Game15.2Top 75
    Turnovers per Game10.4Top 50
    Rebounding Margin+7.12nd in CAA

    🧩 Coaching Breakdown: Takayo Siddle (6th Year)

    A former Kevin Keatts protege, Siddle has implemented a modernized “Keatts-style” system at UNCW — fast, positionless, and built on effort. His teams consistently rank among the CAA’s most efficient on both ends, and his recruiting strategy emphasizes experienced, multi-positional transfers who fit his demanding style.

    Under Siddle:

    • CAA Tournament Champion (2025)
    • CAA Regular Season Champion (2022)
    • CBI Champion (2022)
    • Career Record: 106–47 (.693)

    🗣 Practice Intel

    Reports out of Wilmington highlight Noah Ross, Nolan Hodge, and CJ Luster as the most consistent performers this preseason. Christian May and Madison Durr have earned praise for their defensive intensity.

    Meanwhile, Patrick Wessler has been labeled the “Biggest Surprise” of camp — a huge seven-footer who adds interior scoring and rim protection. Wessler garnered multiple high-major offers out of high school before ending up in the ACC at Virginia Tech. 

    During a recent practice visit, Jon Rothstein described Luster as “sensational” and pegged the Luster–Williams backcourt as one of the best in the mid-majors.

    🏀 Matchup Outlook vs. High Point

    For High Point, the key will be limiting UNCW’s paint touches and second-chance points. The Seahawks thrive when dictating tempo — they love to push after defensive rebounds and wear teams down with rim pressure.

    HPU’s deep backcourt will be tested early against a veteran unit featuring five senior guards 6’3″ or taller. Containing Wessler inside and forcing contested jump shots could tilt momentum. The 7-footer’s size against the Panthers’ new look front court sans Juslin Bodo Bodo will definitely be interesting. Him against Aquino in particular will be a must watch matchup. 

    If the Panthers can control tempo, limit turnovers, and match UNCW’s rebounding effort, they’ll have a real chance to neutralize the defending champs’ rhythm and make an early statement.

    🔮 Projection

    UNCW projects as a Top 120 team nationally and clear CAA title favorite, with a projected 22–9 overall record. The Seahawks’ experienced backcourt and improved front line make them a dangerous out for anyone.

    For High Point, this matchup is the perfect litmus test before Furman and later Radford — programs built on similar athleticism and tempo. Facing Patrick Wessler’s size and CJ Luster’s scoring will prepare HPU for its Big South slate, including showdowns with Preseason Player of the Year Toyaz Solomon of Asheville and Radford’s lauded new backcourt.

    This will be a high-level physical battle between two mid-major behemoths in the Old North State. Ultimately, I think the continuity of Wilmington’s returning players and coach along with homecourt advantage wins out in a game that won’t count towards the standings but will make each team better before the regular season tips off and will give this new iteration of the Panthers a great measuring stick before a tough season-opener against Furman down in Rock Hill.


    Prediction: UNCW 72, HPU 63

About Me

Sometimes the hardest part of finding success is gathering the courage to get started. The most successful people don’t look back to see who’s watching. Look for opportunities to lift others up along the way.

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“Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in few.” – Pythagoras