One problem plaguing UNCW athletics has been the lack of regional competition.

But the men’s basketball team alleviated that dilemma to a small degree with its exhibition game against nearby Mount Olive College Nov. 4.

The Seahawks won 72-63, but found itself challenged by the Division II school.

UNCW head coach Brad Brownell found the game challenging, which is what he and MOC head coach Bill Clingham wanted.

“This summer, coach Clingham approached me about the possibility of playing,” Brownell said. “A game after practicing for three weeks against a team that plays defenses, plays zone (defense) and makes you prepare.

“It was good for their people. It’s a name people will recognize around here and with the talent going through there, it was a bit of a challenge for us.”

Midterm grade: Brownell assessed his team halfway through the preseason.

“(It’s) as I expected it,” Brownell, who feels he has a deep team, said. “Every day we mix the teams up and by the end of the day, no matter the teams … every game is close.”

Brownell found few surprises in the first weeks in practice. One player that did turn some heads was freshman T.J. Carter, who scored 13 points against Mount Olive.

“He’s worked extremely hard physically … put on a little strength. We knew he could score, but as a freshman it’s a pleasant surprise he could put the ball in the basket.”

Getting their points: UNCW’s women’s team earned seven votes, 48th highest, in the USA Today preseason basketball poll.

“It’s a bit of a surprise. A pleasant surprise,” head coach Ann Hancock said. “It means we’re recognized and were going in the right direction. We need to use it as motivation to work harder. To live up to it.”Off and running: Last year, the women’s squad started the season with a relatively easy schedule.

That’s not the case this year.

The Seahawks opened the season with a an exhibition game against Premier Players (UNCW lost to the squad which featured former WNBA players, 88-74), and faces highly regarded Loyola Marymount and Ohio State in the first two regular-season games Nov. 23 and 25, respectively.

“We purposefully scheduled an exhibition that would prepare us for a Loyola Marymount, an Ohio State, an Old Dominion,” Hancock said. “We don’t need someone to build our confidence. … We need someone to expose our weaknesses right now.”

Preseason blues: And that “weakness” exposed was the squad’s defense.

The Seahawks, which have built up a reputation for its tough man-to-man defense were No. 7 in the nation in defense last season.

But against Premier Players, the visitors scored 88 points, including a 48-point second half in which UNCW lost the lead.

“No one stood up and said ‘We need a defensive stop and we’re not going to let them beat us’,” Hancock said. “In the past, someone would say let’s get this together.”

Playoff time: Mission accomplished – for now.

UNCW men’s soccer squad, picked to finish 9th in the preseason CAA coaches’ poll, finished No. 6 and earned a berth in the conference tournament.

“From 9th to 6th, it’s progress,” UNCW head coach Aidan Heaney said. “I told the kids, ‘Let’s not be happy just to be there now.'”

The Seahawks traveled to No. 1 George Mason Nov. 11. UNCW played a number of highly regarded teams closely, leaving more than just the hope of an upset in the team’s minds.

“The beauty of this is the winner takes all. It’s do or die,” Heaney said. “And I think the kids will relish that.”