Analysis

In her first year as the UNCW women’s head basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has led her team to unprecedented success so far this season. The Seahawks are led by senior forward Brittany Blackwell, who has led the team in scoring, rebounds and minutes played the past two seasons.

With only a few marginal exceptions, UNCW has improved in every statistical category.

Defense has been a large improvement from last season, as the Seahawks have more than doubled their blocking percentage per game as well as shown significant progress in steals. Senior center Martha White has continued to be a formidable presence in the paint, showing strong performances on both side of the ball with scoring, blocking and rebounding.

Despite a recent upset loss against Georgia State, UNCW has shown many reasons to still be confident this season. They established a new season record for three-point field goals made as eight were poured in against the Panthers.

In addition, in 14 of the games in the 2010-11 season, the Seahawks have shot above 40 percent from the floor. Fans are noticing the improved play, as attendance averages in Trask Coliseum have nearly doubled.

Projected to finish eighth in the CAA, the Seahawks are without a doubt playing some of the best basketball the women’s program has ever seen. The women are currently ranked second in the conference.