'Our own journey': 3 things to know about UNCW basketball in 2025-26 season
The buzz of March Madness has faded, but the energy around UNCW basketball hasn't.
The Seahawks team that broke an eight-year March Madness drought last season will look much different this winter, with just three starters returning for 2025.
Last year marked a breakthrough for coach Takayo Siddle . Now entering his sixth season in Wilmington, he says this campaign starts a new era for the program.
"Last year was historic in a lot of ways; We finally got the golden ticket," Siddle said during UNCW's media day on Oct. 2.
After falling just short to Texas Tech in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Siddle re-signed with UNCW through 2027. The 38-year-old added six transfers to his roster this winter, including some familiar faces from around the CAA.
SEE THE SEAHAWKS UNCW basketball wins CAA title to earn March Madness spot
UNCW opens its season Monday, Nov. 3, hosting Mount Olive for the third straight year. The Seahawks will play 18 home games, with conference play beginning Dec. 29.
All Four Years
In an era of constant transfers, it's rare to see players spend their entire careers at one school. But UNCW seniors Noah Ross and Nolan Hodge have done just that. The duo started a combined 24 games last season and return as veteran leaders.
"If I could choose UNCW again and again, I would. I'd choose them 1,000 times over again," Ross said. "I'm a big loyalty guy and the relationship I've built with coach Siddle ... I wouldn't trade that for anything."
Senior guard Greedy Williams is also back after transferring to UNCW last year. He started 22 games and averaged 5.5 points per contest.
New Faces in Trask
Nine of the team's 15 players will suit up for the Seahawks for the first time.
Senior guard CJ Luster II, who averaged 16.8 points last season at Stony Brook, headlines the newcomers and is expected to contribute immediately.
"This is something that I had to be a part of," Luster said of his reason for transferring to UNCW. "I feel like we're going to outcompete and be a super competitive team."
Towson transfer Christian May also has some experience playing inside Trask Coliseum. The 6-foot-5 guard started 27 games for the Tigers last season, averaging 7.6 points per game.
"This is the best fanbase in our conference," May said. "I loved playing here. I love being able to play in front of a packed crowd, especially when they're rooting against you. I love anomossity and negativity."
7-footer Virginia Tech transfer Patrick Wessler joins a Seahawks roster that also added a pair of 6-foot-11 international transfers, Matija Prodanovic (Serbia) and Adam Tokpah (England)
Writing a New Story
Last season's success still echoes in Wilmington, but the Seahawks aren't dwelling on it. The focus is forward.
"Our first team meeting, we made that known, that we're not going to talk about last year because the majority of those guys weren't here," Siddle said.
From Siddle to the players, the message is clear: this winter is a blank canvas. Expectations are high, the faces are new, and, as Siddle puts it, the story will be painted under a different light.
"We're on our own journey. We're gonna do things our way, all the time, but it's going to look a lot different from last season," Siddle said.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Can UNCW basketball repeat as CAA champions?
