It was possibly the most exciting day of this college basketball season. Starting with Kansas’s 72-68 loss to lowly Missouri, a Sunday spectacular was underway. Illinois was outscored by 12 points in the second half and missed a shot at the end of regulation, losing 65-64 to Ohio State.

Similar to a NCAA tournament preview, immediately following the Illinois game, the Kentucky finish appeared on the television. And once again, another underdog triumphed as Florida defeated Kentucky, for the first time since 2001, 53-52. The first three games were opening acts, main staged by another legendary Duke vs. UNC battle. The Tar Heels overcame a late second half deficit, defeating the Blue Devils 75-73.

The day then fittingly ended with another come back as Wake Forest scored the games final five points, including a heroic game winning shot by Chris Paul, propelling Wake Forest past N.C. State 55-53.

Sunday was especially exhilarating for basketball fans all over the state of North Carolina, except those rooting for UNC-Wilmington. Amidst the amazing finishes and upsets throughout the day, was a disappointing and surprising collapse by the Seahawks.

The game was low scoring but appeared likely to match the rest of the day’s madness as it was tied 21-21 at halftime. With eight minutes remaining, the Seahawks looked in control and on its way to pull out another late game victory. UNCW led 38-33 fresh off a 6-0 run, seemingly gaining momentum as Aaron Coombs put back an offensive rebound. 

Sadly, it would be the last points of Coombs’ CAA career as the Seahawks began an eight-minute drought of sloppy basketball. Between poor field goal and free throw shooting, errant and fumbled passes, and mistimed fouls, UNCW was outscored 15-2 in the next six minutes of play. The Seahawks missed six straight free throws and four field goals, committed three turnovers, and three fouls in that stretch, putting UNCW down by eight points with two minutes to play. The deficit was too much to overcome as VCU made seven of its final eight free throws, closing out the Seahawks 55-46.

UNCW returned home from Richmond on Monday knowing that barring an improbable NIT tournament bid, its season was over. But the Seahawks should not be judged by that last game.

As a team, the Seahawks overachieved this season, winning close game after close game and losing only one home conference game. The team won 19 games and finished tied for second place in the CAA despite having only one All-conference player, John Goldsberry. The Seahawks showed marked improvement from last season, winning many of its games with shear determination and a suffocating full-court press.

The Seahawks were exciting to watch at Trask Coliseum this season. With the drastic improvement of Coombs in the paint, combined with Goldsberry’s obvious offensive confidence boost, added to Halston Lane’s emergence from injuries, the Seahawks surprised everyone, giving the fans in Wilmington something of which to be proud.