Preview of Saturday’s Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Game

HAMPTON, Va. (Interstat) — A surging UNC Wilmington squad looks to continue its dominant run through the Colonial Athletic Association when it visits the Hampton Pirates on Saturday at the Convocation Center.

The Seahawks (17-2, 6-0 CAA) enter on a nine-game winning streak, the latest a 78-75 home victory over Campbell last Saturday. Their last loss was on Dec. 20. UNC Wilmington’s success has been built on balance and defense, holding opponents to an average of 62.2 points during the streak.

Guard Greedy Williams has been a steady catalyst for the Seahawks, averaging 10.9 points and 5.1 assists in conference play. In the Jan. 3 meeting between these teams, a 49-49 UNC Wilmington win in Wilmington, Williams had 4 points and 3 assists. Patrick Wessler (23 points) and Madison Durr (20 points) provided the scoring punch in the recent win over Campbell.

Hampton (9-10, 3-3) seeks consistency after alternating wins and losses in its last six games. The Pirates are coming off an 82-61 rout of North Carolina A&T on Monday, fueled by a season-high 24 points from guard Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt. Gaines-Wyatt was held scoreless in the first matchup with UNC Wilmington but has averaged 18.8 points over his last four contests, providing a key offensive spark.

The Pirates will need that scoring to counter a Seahawks defense that stifled them three weeks ago. Hampton shot just 30.2% from the field in the 49-45 loss, a season-low in points.

Saturday’s game represents a stark contrast in trajectories. UNC Wilmington aims to protect its perfect conference record and maintain its position atop the league, while Hampton looks to build momentum from its latest win and secure a resume-boosting victory at home.

Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST. Following this game, UNC Wilmington travels to face Towson on Jan. 29, while Hampton begins a two-game road trip at Drexel on the same date.