The Seahawk

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jamie Moncrief/UNCW

Media Credit: Jason Barnette Junior transfer Ahmad Grant will see time at guard due to Chad Tomko's injury.

The UNCW Men's Basketball program has experienced a great deal of success in this decade. They have been crowned Colonial Athletic Association champions four times and recorded 19 or more wins six times. But last year was not one of those seasons. Last season the Seahawks finished at the bottom of the CAA with a record of 7-25. 15 of the 25 loses came by 20 points or more, and the Seahawks allowed opponents to shoot 50 percent from the floor.

Injuries were undoubtedly the primary concern for the Seahawks. From the early signing period in 2007 to the 2009 season, head coach Benny Moss lost six of his post players due to injury. Last season Dominique Lacy, a 6-foot-7-inch tall sophomore was forced to play center and was no match for the bigger forwards in the conference. Even more ridiculous was the fact that 6-foot-4-inch Josh Sheets had to play power forward for several games. Due to their lack of size, the Seahawks were forced to become a perimeter-oriented team and finished ninth in the country in three-point attempts. Moss even termed last year's team "The Donut" because there was "nothing in the middle."

But the good news for UNCW hoops fans is that this year's squad looks nothing like it did last season. The Seahawks bring in two new post players who will make an immediate impact on the team. 6-foot-8-inch redshirt freshman Will Ohuaregbe is a physical left-handed power forward who will provide steady rebounding and low post scoring. 6-foot-9-inch East Carolina University transfer John Fields is also a proficient low post scorer, but is an even better shot blocker. In two seasons with the Pirates, Fields recorded 104 blocked shots (the Seahawks were last in the CAA last season in blocks). But possibly the most important thing Ohuaregbe and Fields bring to the team is the opportunity for other players to move back to their original positions. "It's really exciting to have everyone playing their true positions," Moss said. "We finally have all the pieces in place. Now we just have to mesh seven knew personalities."

No one will be happier about the Seahawks newfound size than 6-foot-5-inch senior Montez Downey. Naturally a guard, Downey was forced to play deep in the post several times last season against much larger players. "It's a big relief," he said. "Having to guard them and then go down to the offensive end and try to make something happen there too is tough. Having [Ohuaregbe and Fields] is a big plus."

The Seahawks' frontcourt isn't the only place fans will see new personalities. Starting point guard Chad Tomko had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot and is expected to miss two to six weeks. Senior Johnny Wolf will take over the majority of the ball handling and newcomer Ahmad Grant will fill in as the two-guard. Grant is a junior transfer from Olney College and will provide the Seahawks with range and athleticism.

Although there are capable backups for Tomko during his absence, the success of the team ultimately relies on his health. Tomko was a preseason second-team All-CAA selection and led the team in scoring, assists, steals, minutes and three-point field goals last season.

"Obviously, it's never good when a player goes down," Moss said. "Fortunately, we've detected it early enough that we can get him back in a timely fashion."

Moss and the Seahawks learned their lesson last year when Downey let a stress fracture in his foot go untreated. Downey spent his days walking around campus in a medical boot, and then took it off when game time rolled around. With the roster as depleted as it was, benching the junior guard was not an option.

According to Moss, the timetable for Tomko's return depends mainly on his tolerance for pain. That's good news considering Tomko is as tough as they come. A source close to the team said that Tomko was on the stationary bike the day after his surgery and has already begun limited work in practice. It's not crazy to predict that the Seahawk floor general could make his return for the home opener Nov. 15 against George Washington. UNCW last faced George Washington in the first round of the 2006 NCAA tournament where the Seahawks lost an epic overtime battle 88-85.

Until Tomko is ready to return to action, the Seahawks will have a capable deputy point guard in senior Johnny Wolf. Wolf spent most of last season as a two-guard, constantly looking for a shot. With Tomko out, Wolf will take over most of the ball handling and will look to distribute more. "Right now I have to kind of direct and keep us in control," he said. "Once we get the offense running smoother, [my shot] will come."

One area the Seahawks will desperately need improvement in this year will be on the defensive end. The Seahawks allowed the most points in the CAA last season as well as the highest opponent field goal percentage. As one of the team's main leaders, Wolf is quick to point out how vital defensive performances will be this season. "Last year we struggled defensively," he said. "We know the only way we're going to be a great team is defense. Scoring is going to be in and out, but we can always be good at defense."

Wolf also points to the Seahawks' larger frontcourt playing an integral role in producing stops this season. "Defensively, we can pressure more because we know we have backside help," he said.

The Seahawks start conference play Dec. 5 in Trask Coliseum against George Mason. The 2009-2010 schedule features some difficult games, including Penn State, Virginia, and at home against in-state foe Wake Forest. The Seahawks play 17 games away games, which could be troublesome considering UNCW won only two contests outside Trask last season.

The Seahawks have been picked to finish last in the CAA, but Moss believes that is because of the uncertainty that comes with adding seven new players to the roster.

"When you bring in as many new players as we have, there is going to be some uncertainty," he said. "But with the new pieces we have added, the future looks bright."

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