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Wilmington, NC- UNCW and Delaware have been mainstays in the CAA for over 2 decades. Conference realignment affects all levels of college basketball, but the recipe to move up is simple: win. Delaware has been a member of the CAA since the early 2000s. Combining their recent success in basketball under Head Coach Martin Ingelsby and their football success, they paved the way to the next level. Coach Ingelsby has been at the helm for the Blue Hens for nine seasons and is appreciative of his time in the CAA.
"I have a great appreciation for the CAA and the quality of basketball", said Ingelsby. Unfortunately for the Blue Hens, UNCW would send them to Conference USA, excluding the 2025 postseason, with a 30-point blowout.
The game opened up with a concerted effort by the Seahawks to get Harlan Obioha the ball down low. He has been on a tear to finish the season. UNCW's first 5 points came from back-to-back baskets by Obioha, including a successful and-one. Delaware responded with back-to-back baskets by John Camden. The two teams would go back and forth and with 5:46 left in the first half, the score was knotted up 26-26.
In their game on Thursday, the Seahawks ended the first half poorly, and it allowed Campbell to get back in the game. UNCW Head Coach Takayo Siddle told me his team prides itself on its execution in the final four minutes to end halves. They would close the first half against the Hens on a 10-2 run. I asked him post-game if he was pleased with how they responded:
"I was. This group has matured right in front of our eyes. They realized in those moments they should've handled it differently at Campbell. When it came up today, I didn't even have to say anything. Donovan [Newby] was in the huddle, Noah [Ross] was in the huddle, talking about how we needed to finish the half off. Like I always say, being player-led at this point in the year is extremely important. As a coach, it makes you feel like you're doing something right."
Right before the run that the Seahawks went on to end the half, Delaware called a timeout with 4:24 left in the period. The huddle that Siddle referenced did not include himself or the staff. The players met near halfcourt and when Takayo realized they were getting together, he grabbed his staff and walked away. I asked him about that moment and it further confirmed the trust he has in his group:
"It was a beautiful moment...that's what you want to see. They are the ones out there playing. They are the ones that have to hold each other accountable. It takes a lot of stress off the coaching staff...it means a little more coming from their peers. Those are beautiful moments we really embrace."
UNCW guard Sean Moore backed up Coach Siddle's comments regarding the maturity of this team:
"[We are] building a brother type of relationship more than teammate. When you have a relationship with everyone on the team, everything is connected...it's like a big ole family."
The Seahawks would lead at the break 44-28.
In the first frame of the second half, Delaware would cut the deficit to just 12 on a Cavan Reilly fast break layup. UNCW would respond quickly to pick up where they left off at the end of the first half. The highlight of the day came on a Bo Montgomery steal and 360 dunk in transition that sent the student-less Trask Coliseum into a frenzy.
Bo had a great senior night as he poured in 23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal on an efficient 8-15 from the field, 5-10 from three, and 2-2 from the charity stripe. "This has probably been the most fun I've had in college," Bo said when I asked how much the last year has been playing with this team.
Part of Delaware's inability to make a comeback in the second half was due to UNCW adjusting its defense on Delaware's star freshman Izaiah Pascha. Pascha scored 6 of his 8 points in the first half, using his speed and length in transition to keep Seahawk defenders on their heels. He had 2 points, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers in the second half, but regardless of his final statline, I was impressed with his skillset and I believe he will have a bright future.
UNCW would end the game on an 18-12 run in the final 9:44 to win 88-55.
This was UNCW's final home game of the regular season. That, of course, meant it was senior night. Seniors honored included Jake Murphy, Joshua Corbin, Bo Montgomery, Sean Moore, and Donovan Newby. Among those, Newby is the longest tenured Seahawk. He is one of the most decorated players in program history.
"It is something special here in Wilmington", said Newby.
UNCW locked up their 2nd overall seed in the CAA Tournament prior to this game, earning them a double-bye. They will play the winner of Northeastern and Hampton in the 7 vs 10 matchup on Sunday, March 9th, at 6 p.m. With this result, Delaware secured the 12th overall seed. They will play 13th overall Stony Brook in the opening game of the bracket on Friday, March 7th, at 2 p.m.