Iowa State

Last season, the Cyclones were one shot away from advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.  This year, they will be looking to replace four of their top six scorers, but fourth year head coach Fred Hoiberg has made it a habit to reload his squad with transfer talent each season.  The top incoming transfer this year is DeAndre Kane from Marshall, a former All-Conference USA guard who is one of two players in Division I basketball to average at least 15 points per game in his first three seasons.  Just two days after facing Iowa, UNCW will face another challenging test against the Cyclones in Hilton Coliseum. 

Charleston Southern

The Charleston Southern Buccaneers are coming off their first regular-season conference title in 26 years, but fell to Liberty in the conference tournament and Southern Mississippi in the first round of the NIT.  The Buccaneers are led by junior guards Saah Nimley and Arlon Harper, who both averaged over 15 points per game last season.  UNCW will need to limit this backcourt duo’s scoring to come out of CSU Field House with a victory on November 13^th.

Wingate

Wingate is coming off their second straight 20-win season and second straight trip to the NCAA Division II regional semifinals.  The Bulldogs lost five seniors and three starters from last year’s squad, with seven incoming freshmen this season.  Much like UNCW, Wingate will be looking to replace starters quickly.  The Seahawks will have a talent advantage across the board, and should be able to handle the Bulldogs November 16 in Trask Coliseum.

Liberty

Despite having a regular season conference record of 6-10, the Flames won the Big South tournament and received an automatic NCAA tournament bid.  Although their regular season record was unimpressive last year, they have proven that when they’re hot they can win any given night.  UNCW’s chances November 17 in the Vines Center come down to which Liberty team shows up.

Western Kentucky

For the second season in a row the Hilltoppers made an impressive run in the Sun Belt tournament and received an automatic NCAA tournament bid despite their 10-10 conference record.  This season, don’t be surprised to see them back in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, as they return plenty of talent and four starters from last year’s team.  The Seahawks may struggle matching their opponent’s talent and depth when they travel to E.A. Diddle Arena November 21^st.

Marshall

The Thundering Herd are coming off a disappointing 2012 season with a 13-19 record.  To make things worse, they lost their best player, DeAndre Kane, transferring to Iowa State.  They will have to replace four starters, the only returning starter being senior forward Elijah Pittman.  UNCW should be able to take advantage of Marshall’s transition into a new starting lineup and leave the Cam Henderson Center with a victory November 23^rd.

Campbellsville

The Campbellsville Tigers will have a completely new look this year, as they only return three players from last year’s team.  They have brought in four freshmen and three Division 1 transfers to fill the roles of their departed players. With so many new faces, the Tigers will have to gel quickly, as they face two Division 1 opponents before they take on UNCW.  The Seahawks should look to expose Campbellsville’s inexperience to walk out of Trask Coliseum with a victory November 26^th.

Stephen F. Austin

The Lumberjacks are coming off a school-record 27-win season in 2012, with new head coach Brad Underwood taking over.  Although they enjoyed great success last season, they will have to quickly find new on-court leadership as they lost three senior starters from last year’s squad.  UNCW should be able to match them talent-wise, especially in the frontcourt, and have a good shot at grabbing a great non-conference win November 29^th in Trask Coliseum.

East Carolina

Much like Stephen F. Austin, the Pirates are coming off a successful 23-win season, but are facing a starting lineup overhaul.  They will have to replace four starters, including Robert Sampson, their leading rebounder and shot-blocker, who transferred to Georgia Tech.  If UNCW can score in the post and control the glass, they can grab another great nonconference victory December 1^st in Minges Coliseum. 

Campbell

The Camels are losing their three leading scorers from last year’s team, but have four players returning that started at least 18 games last season.  This will be coach Kevin McGeehan’s first year as a head coach after spending eight years as an assistant at Richmond.  If UNCW can play up to their potential and talent level, they should be able to leave Trask Coliseum with a quality win over another in-state opponent December 6^th.

Manhattan

The Manhattan Jaspers were picked to win the conference in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll.  They return leading scorer and rebounder, senior Forward Rhamel Brown, and senior guards Mike Alvarado and George Beamon.  This will be a tough test for UNCW, as the Jaspers are very experienced and talented across the floor.  This game on December 15^th in Trask Coliseum will give us a good indication of just how good the Seahawks will be heading into conference play.

Old Dominion

The Monarchs finished with a 5-25 record last season, the worst in their team’s history.  This will be their first season competing in Conference USA after leaving the CAA, and have a new head coach in Jeff Jones, who has coached at Virginia and American.  The Seahawks will have the edge in experience and size, and should be able to handle this game well December 21^st in Trask Coliseum.

UNC Asheville

The Bulldogs will have nine new faces on the team last year after finished last season an even 16-16.  Don’t sleep on this team though, as they’ll be able to match UNCW in size and speed.  They will also be able to gain valuable big-game experience early on as they face preseason No. 1 Kentucky and No. 4 Duke in two of their first four games this season.  This will be an interesting game for the Seahawks on December 28^th in Kimmel Arena, three days before they take on the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. Making the trip even more intriguing is new UNCW assistant Eddie Biedenbach’s return to UNCA, where he coached for 17 seasons.

UNC Chapel Hill

The Tar Heels enter the season as the preseason #12 team in the country with a roster loaded with talent, highlighted by junior Forwards P.J. Hairston and James Michael McAdoo.  The Seahawks will be outmatched at every position, but will be given the chance to knock off one of the nation’s basketball giants on New Years Eve in the Dean Smith Center.