Well, it's official, UNCW is the only team locked into the play in round of the CAA tournament with one game left. We have also secured a record that is WORSE than last year,

We are 2-10 in our last 12 games and will end our season at CofC where we will be projected to lose again. We didn't sweep a single team in the CAA and were swept by Northeastern, Elon, Delaware and will likely be swept by CofC.

If we lose to CofC, McGrath will have a road record of 4-23 since his arrival, with 2 road wins last year and two this year.

We also have one of the top ten WORST defenses in the nation.

CAA Stats:

2018 allowed 80.8 ppg(8th), 2019 80.5 ppg(10th) =
2018 FG% defense .476(7th) 2019 .475(9th) =
2018 3pt% defense .375(7th) 2019 .396(10th) -
2018 steals 5.5(5th) 2019 4.2 (8th) -
2018 Offense 79ppg(3rd) 2019 76.5 ppg(3rd.) -
2018 Scoring Margin -1.9(6th) 2019 -4.0(9th) -
2018 FG% .438(9th) 2019 .446(7th) +
2018 3pt% .375(7th) 2019 .354(6th) -
2018 Reb Margin +4.9(2nd) 2019 +3.5(2nd) -
2018 home attendance 4251(1) 2019 3968 (2nd) -

We've gone from bad to worse. McGrath will be heading into his 3rd. year and will be losing perhaps one of the best post players to put on a UNCW uniform as well as his back up. They will be replaced with an unknown transfer and an unkown freshman and maybe another transfer next year.

Is improvement just a matter of the players we have playing better or is a change in strategy required? With one bad losing season finishing in 6th place, followed by an even worse last place finish, what are the expectations for a HC in his 3rd. year at UNCW?

(02-24-2019 10:16 AM)82hawk Wrote:  Well, it's official. UNCW has now secured last place in the CAA and is the only team locked into the play in round of the CAA tournament with one game left. We have also secured a record that is WORSE than last year,

We are 2-10 in our last 12 games and will end our season at CofC where we will be projected to lose again. We didn't sweep a single team in the CAA and were swept by Elon, Delaware and Drexel and will likely be swept by CofC.

If we lose to CofC, McGrath will have a road record of 4-23 since his arrival, with 2 road wins last year and two this year.

We also have one of the top ten WORST defenses in the nation.

CAA Stats:

2018 allowed 80.8 ppg(8th), 2019 80.5 ppg(10th) =
2018 FG% defense .476(7th) 2019 .475(9th) =
2018 3pt% defense .375(7th) 2019 .396(10th) -
2018 steals 5.5(5th) 2019 4.2 (8th) -
2018 Offense 79ppg(3rd) 2019 76.5 ppg(3rd.) -
2018 Scoring Margin -1.9(6th) 2019 -4.0(9th) -
2018 FG% .438(9th) 2019 .446(7th) +
2018 3pt% .375(7th) 2019 .354(6th) -
2018 Reb Margin +4.9(2nd) 2019 +3.5(2nd) -
2018 home attendance 4251(1) 2019 3968 (2nd) -

We've gone from bad to worse. McGrath will be heading into his 3rd. year and will be losing perhaps one of the best post players to put on a UNCW uniform as well as his back up. They will be replaced with an unknown transfer and an unkown freshman and maybe another transfer next year.

Is improvement just a matter of the players we have playing better or is a change in strategy required? With one bad losing season finishing in 6th place, followed by an even worse last place finish, what are the expectations for a HC in his 3rd. year at UNCW?

Expectations at this point are to put together a winning season. Unfortunately these things should’ve been thought out in the contract talks since we’re still probably two years, at a minimum, from what you’re alluding to.


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I'm not alluding to anything. I know the numbers well and am not suggesting anything.

Year two is really behind us. So, we are heading into year three with a sixth and last place finish in the McGrath era, with the program going in the wrong direction. If we get back to a sixth place finish next year is that progress? Do we have an expectation of being top 4? If we were to miraculously make a run in the CAA tournament this year, would the regular season be moot?

How do we know if we are improving if there is literally no where to go but up?

The expectations at UNCW are to compete for CAA championships in basketball every year. To me that means top 4 finish yearly. As for next year a lot will factor in to what is “improving.” A .500 at minimum finish in the CAA. Then you have to factor in the eye test. Does the team look like they are improving? Look at stats, have we improved our D dramatically?

I hope Jimmy Bass sits down with McGrath and lays out expectations at UNCW after the season and explain to McGrath that if he wants to succeed as a head coach he has got to shake his system up and make some tough personnel decisions.

Anyone that saw the game yesterday, that knows basketball, came away thinking that the defensive effort and defensive execution in the half court was much better. UNCW's offense was terrible yesterday in the first half with a 0.811 ppp. Hawks forced it into the post with Cacok and he had 4 TO's (first half alone/8 overall?!). Cylla also took bad shots outside of offensive flow. Kai had several TO's (4 TO's at the break/6 overall?) that didn't need to occur. The defense again was very good, but couldn't overcome such terrible offense.

In the 2nd half, UNCW finally started to get Sims and Estime 3-ball looks and they came back. The lineup that had Toews, Gadsden, Estime, Sims and Cacok worked on both ends. They came all the way back then forced it to Cacok and failed 2x. Some talk of Cacok as being this great offensive "post up" player and that is absolutely ridiculous. He's a great rebounder and good in a pick and roll. He shouldn't post up and go to work unless he clearly has an advantage which is the case on a lot of nights. He did pass it better yesterday which was badly needed for the team to get easier shots. Points per possession means everything. Should he be out there? Yes, because he was a big part of the best team that UNCW can put out there. Actually his defense was better in half court yesterday, but still got out run by the Tribe big man rim to rim.

I'm willing to be patient and look for improvement. UNCW's young guards and wings look poised to be very good CAA players. Toews and Sims should be All CAA freshmen for example with Kai getting the FOY. Estime and Gadsden are sophomores. The effort was good yesterday, but it can be argued that this kind of effort should have been there all year. This staff can really recruit, but will need to start making strides next year for sure. And, they definitely should have a good shot at that improvement.

(02-24-2019 10:16 AM)82hawk Wrote:  Well, it's official. UNCW has now secured last place in the CAA and is the only team locked into the play in round of the CAA tournament with one game left.

As I just posted in the William & Mary forum, you haven't secured last. You need a win and of these to avoid last:

1. Elon beats Towson
Elon beats JMU
W&M beats Towson
W&M beats JMU
Hofstra finishes ahead of Northeastern
That would make you, JMU, and Towson 6-12. The three-way head-to-head is 2-2 for all, and Towson would be last as the only one who didn't beat Hofstra.

2. Towson beats Elon
Elon beats JMU
W&M beats JMU
W&M finishes ahead of Delaware
You would win tiebreaker over JMU because your third best win would be better than W&M's.

3. Towson beats Elon
Elon beats JMU
W&M beats JMU
W&M finishes tied with Delaware
You finish ahead of JMU in the NET or something because all tiebreakers within the CAA would be tied. Elon would be top in the three-way tie and be 8 with sweeps of you and JMU.

I hope I did that right. It's complicated. You will clinch last if JMU beats Elon on Thursday. Otherwise, you would have hope going into Saturday. It's possible that every game on Saturday could affect if you finish last. You should root for Hofstra both for the sake of Hofstra finishing ahead of Northeastern for Scenario 1 and for W&M finishing ahead of Delaware for Scenario 2. Hofstra ends at Delaware.

I think 82Hawk assumes a loss to Charleston. Otherwise, the Hawks pass Elon if the Phoenix lose both this week.

But, i get it. Uncw has been in the semis or better 5 straight years. I have watched a significant number of UNCW games in the league this year. They have lost a lot of games in the last 2 minutes. They aren't a top 3 team, but they could easily be 5th with better results in close games.

(02-24-2019 05:48 PM)TribePride91 Wrote:  I think 82Hawk assumes a loss to Charleston. Otherwise, the Hawks pass Elon if the Phoenix lose both this week.

I wasn't thinking about that.
Do you have a preference for your first opponent?

On Saturday, Elon at Towson is at 2:00 P.M. with everything else at 4:00 P.M. If Towson beats W&M on Thursday, JMU beats Elon on Thursday, and Elon beats Towson on Saturday, you will clinch last about when your game starts.

UNCW has been to the NCAA's 6 times since 2000, have great support and good history. The fans and alums are used to a winning product on the floor. UNCW is the kind of school that eventually gets it going because of these factors but the problem is that they've had their best coaches leave. And, they both left at the worst possible times as well see 2006 and 2017. That will set you back big with recruiting. This hasn't been the case with the other CAA schools.

If McGrath and staff can keep recruiting at a high level and the nucleus remains, they should eventually be back up there provided that they defend, hustle and share the ball. The kids in the program are terrific young men so I really like that. If you have quality guys, you have a real shot. I see a really young team that doesn't know how to finish games right now. That's why we are losing these games in the last 5 minutes. Identities some time take times.

Bill, who has ever referred to Cacok as a great post player on offense? As far as I know we all agree he’s a phenomenal rebounder and SHOULD be a pick and roll piece on offense.

I think turning him into a post player was started last year by Wolf and carried over with the staff again this year.


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(02-24-2019 05:48 PM)TribePride91 Wrote:  I think 82Hawk assumes a loss to Charleston. Otherwise, the Hawks pass Elon if the Phoenix lose both this week.

I actually missed the fact UNCW and CofC were the only two teams with one game left. Looked to me like the best we could do is tie for last place and then lose all tiebreakers. But, we ARE in the play in round regardless.

(02-24-2019 02:36 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  Anyone that saw the game yesterday, that knows basketball, came away thinking that the defensive effort and defensive execution in the half court was much better. UNCW's offense was terrible yesterday in the first half with a 0.811 ppp. Hawks forced it into the post with Cacok and he had 4 TO's (first half alone/8 overall?!). Cylla also took bad shots outside of offensive flow. Kai had several TO's (4 TO's at the break/6 overall?) that didn't need to occur. The defense again was very good, but couldn't overcome such terrible offense.

In the 2nd half, UNCW finally started to get Sims and Estime 3-ball looks and they came back. The lineup that had Toews, Gadsden, Estime, Sims and Cacok worked on both ends. They came all the way back then forced it to Cacok and failed 2x. Some talk of Cacok as being this great offensive "post up" player and that is absolutely ridiculous. He's a great rebounder and good in a pick and roll. He shouldn't post up and go to work unless he clearly has an advantage which is the case on a lot of nights. He did pass it better yesterday which was badly needed for the team to get easier shots. Points per possession means everything. Should he be out there? Yes, because he was a big part of the best team that UNCW can put out there. Actually his defense was better in half court yesterday, but still got out run by the Tribe big man rim to rim.

I'm willing to be patient and look for improvement. UNCW's young guards and wings look poised to be very good CAA players. Toews and Sims should be All CAA freshmen for example with Kai getting the FOY. Estime and Gadsden are sophomores. The effort was good yesterday, but it can be argued that this kind of effort should have been there all year. This staff can really recruit, but will need to start making strides next year for sure. And, they definitely should have a good shot at that improvement.

Bill while I agree with you when the game was close at the end it once again came down to not getting stops. That’s been the story in most close games all year.


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And, us not answering as well.

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

Sure, you put a lot more pressure it's a trickle effect

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

I’m pretty sure we all know who accountability will fall on, right or wrong, if this thing isn’t anything other than obviously headed in the right direction next year. That being said, young guards in college basketball don’t usually win games consistently. Just a fact.

I’m sort of done over analyzing this situation (for now) and think I’m just going to sit back and see where this goes ON the court next year. I need to see something. I will say the kids’ effort is there. But they don’t know how to win on either side of the court and I don’t think it’s a talent gap. They are in almost every game even with a disastrous defense.

This staff has some major work and self discovery ahead of it. The players do as well.

(02-25-2019 02:27 AM)getmhawks Wrote:  

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

I’m pretty sure we all know who accountability will fall on, right or wrong, if this thing isn’t anything other than obviously headed in the right direction next year. That being said, young guards in college basketball don’t usually win games consistently. Just a fact.

I’m sort of done over analyzing this situation (for now) and think I’m just going to sit back and see where this goes ON the court next year. I need to see something. I will say the kids’ effort is there. But they don’t know how to win on either side of the court and I don’t think it’s a talent gap. They are in almost every game even with a disastrous defense.

This staff has some major work and self discovery ahead of it. The players do as well.

My favorite summation so far of a disastrous season. There is a shelf life on everything in sport. In this case there is another season to play before drastic changes happen, if they do. As hard as it was to stomach the play defensively of this UNCW team, it's year 3 that will put an end to any debate. Recruiting, style of play and in game coaching. We are all here for the ride next year. My guess is that we will see about 6 new players which is a significant roster change. If it goes sour we are likely to wring our hands and wonder WTF is going on. If it starts to turn in the opposite direction many of us will have to admit we were wrong and did not show the requisite amount of patience for a young-ish team.
However, inept is inept when it comes to defense and there is no plausible excuse to be ranked in the bottom 5 teams in D1. That is on the staff to demand players carry out the game plan. EXECUTION. It was not about being great on defense but rather not losing the same way again and again. Incremental improvements in how we defend the 3pt line, reduce turnovers and play with a sense of urgency was all most fans expected. It is reasonable to be demanding and have high expectations as both a fan and a coach or otherwise you may slowly slip into mediocrity. There are still some important games to play. Play to the whistle no matter the circumstances. Go Hawks!

(02-25-2019 06:04 AM)HAWKING Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 02:27 AM)getmhawks Wrote:  

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

I’m pretty sure we all know who accountability will fall on, right or wrong, if this thing isn’t anything other than obviously headed in the right direction next year. That being said, young guards in college basketball don’t usually win games consistently. Just a fact.

I’m sort of done over analyzing this situation (for now) and think I’m just going to sit back and see where this goes ON the court next year. I need to see something. I will say the kids’ effort is there. But they don’t know how to win on either side of the court and I don’t think it’s a talent gap. They are in almost every game even with a disastrous defense.

This staff has some major work and self discovery ahead of it. The players do as well.

My favorite summation so far of a disastrous season. There is a shelf life on everything in sport. In this case there is another season to play before drastic changes happen, if they do. As hard as it was to stomach the play defensively of this UNCW team, it's year 3 that will put an end to any debate. Recruiting, style of play and in game coaching. We are all here for the ride next year. My guess is that we will see about 6 new players which is a significant roster change. If it goes sour we are likely to wring our hands and wonder WTF is going on. If it starts to turn in the opposite direction many of us will have to admit we were wrong and did not show the requisite amount of patience for a young-ish team.
However, inept is inept when it comes to defense and there is no plausible excuse to be ranked in the bottom 5 teams in D1. That is on the staff to demand players carry out the game plan. EXECUTION. It was not about being great on defense but rather not losing the same way again and again. Incremental improvements in how we defend the 3pt line, reduce turnovers and play with a sense of urgency was all most fans expected. It is reasonable to be demanding and have high expectations as both a fan and a coach or otherwise you may slowly slip into mediocrity. There are still some important games to play. Play to the whistle no matter the circumstances. Go Hawks!

Agree with most of this... There will be a lot of roster turnover this offseason, so it's hard to have any real expectations for next season yet. IMO we'll lose 5 Cacok, Kalina, O'Connell, Etoroma (Walk-On), Ty Taylor (expected transfer). So far we've added Boggs and Dodd with 4 open scholarships.

(02-25-2019 10:31 AM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 06:04 AM)HAWKING Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 02:27 AM)getmhawks Wrote:  

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

I’m pretty sure we all know who accountability will fall on, right or wrong, if this thing isn’t anything other than obviously headed in the right direction next year. That being said, young guards in college basketball don’t usually win games consistently. Just a fact.

I’m sort of done over analyzing this situation (for now) and think I’m just going to sit back and see where this goes ON the court next year. I need to see something. I will say the kids’ effort is there. But they don’t know how to win on either side of the court and I don’t think it’s a talent gap. They are in almost every game even with a disastrous defense.

This staff has some major work and self discovery ahead of it. The players do as well.

My favorite summation so far of a disastrous season. There is a shelf life on everything in sport. In this case there is another season to play before drastic changes happen, if they do. As hard as it was to stomach the play defensively of this UNCW team, it's year 3 that will put an end to any debate. Recruiting, style of play and in game coaching. We are all here for the ride next year. My guess is that we will see about 6 new players which is a significant roster change. If it goes sour we are likely to wring our hands and wonder WTF is going on. If it starts to turn in the opposite direction many of us will have to admit we were wrong and did not show the requisite amount of patience for a young-ish team.
However, inept is inept when it comes to defense and there is no plausible excuse to be ranked in the bottom 5 teams in D1. That is on the staff to demand players carry out the game plan. EXECUTION. It was not about being great on defense but rather not losing the same way again and again. Incremental improvements in how we defend the 3pt line, reduce turnovers and play with a sense of urgency was all most fans expected. It is reasonable to be demanding and have high expectations as both a fan and a coach or otherwise you may slowly slip into mediocrity. There are still some important games to play. Play to the whistle no matter the circumstances. Go Hawks!

Agree with most of this... There will be a lot of roster turnover this offseason, so it's hard to have any real expectations for next season yet. IMO we'll lose 5 Cacok, Kalina, O'Connell, Etoroma (Walk-On), Ty Taylor (expected transfer). So far we've added Boggs and Dodd with 4 open scholarships.

you really think Taylor will transfer again, and sit out another year?

(02-25-2019 10:34 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 10:31 AM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 06:04 AM)HAWKING Wrote:  

(02-25-2019 02:27 AM)getmhawks Wrote:  

(02-24-2019 09:20 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  And, us not answering as well.

I’m pretty sure we all know who accountability will fall on, right or wrong, if this thing isn’t anything other than obviously headed in the right direction next year. That being said, young guards in college basketball don’t usually win games consistently. Just a fact.

I’m sort of done over analyzing this situation (for now) and think I’m just going to sit back and see where this goes ON the court next year. I need to see something. I will say the kids’ effort is there. But they don’t know how to win on either side of the court and I don’t think it’s a talent gap. They are in almost every game even with a disastrous defense.

This staff has some major work and self discovery ahead of it. The players do as well.

My favorite summation so far of a disastrous season. There is a shelf life on everything in sport. In this case there is another season to play before drastic changes happen, if they do. As hard as it was to stomach the play defensively of this UNCW team, it's year 3 that will put an end to any debate. Recruiting, style of play and in game coaching. We are all here for the ride next year. My guess is that we will see about 6 new players which is a significant roster change. If it goes sour we are likely to wring our hands and wonder WTF is going on. If it starts to turn in the opposite direction many of us will have to admit we were wrong and did not show the requisite amount of patience for a young-ish team.
However, inept is inept when it comes to defense and there is no plausible excuse to be ranked in the bottom 5 teams in D1. That is on the staff to demand players carry out the game plan. EXECUTION. It was not about being great on defense but rather not losing the same way again and again. Incremental improvements in how we defend the 3pt line, reduce turnovers and play with a sense of urgency was all most fans expected. It is reasonable to be demanding and have high expectations as both a fan and a coach or otherwise you may slowly slip into mediocrity. There are still some important games to play. Play to the whistle no matter the circumstances. Go Hawks!

Agree with most of this... There will be a lot of roster turnover this offseason, so it's hard to have any real expectations for next season yet. IMO we'll lose 5 Cacok, Kalina, O'Connell, Etoroma (Walk-On), Ty Taylor (expected transfer). So far we've added Boggs and Dodd with 4 open scholarships.

you really think Taylor will transfer again, and sit out another year?

He could easily be on track to graduate since this is his 4th year in school.