'Our guys fought': UNCW basketball remains confident after falling in March Madness
After an eight-year March Madness hiatus, UNCW basketball wasn't ready to go out easily in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday night.
The No. 14-seeded Seahawks were fighting for their lives as they converted an early 16-point deficit into a two-point lead to start the second half against No. 3-seeded Texas Tech.
The lead created a sense of hope for all UNCW fans watching nearly 1,400 miles away.
But as the clock pushed well past midnight in Port City, UNCW (27-8) couldn't find the answers, allowing 13 3-pointers as the Red Raiders (26-8) pulled away 82-72 in the final moments of Thursday's March Madness matchup in Wichita, Kansas.
While the loss keeps UNCW's NCAA Tournament losing spell alive, it also caps off one of the Seahawk's best seasons in head coach Takayo Siddle's five-year tenure.
"I thought our guys fought. I'm so proud of every last one of them," Siddle said after the loss. "We fell short, but Texas Tech had a lot to do with it. We're not going to hang our head. I'm definitely not going to hang my head. I'm so proud of these guys."
UNCW basketball closes an era
With the pressure of reaching the NCAA Tournament finally off their backs, UNCW basketball is closing an era.
Winning a program-best 27 games, UNCW relied on breakout performances from veteran players like Donovan Newby, who led the team as he averaged 14.6 points per game this winter.
Newby paired up with fellow graduate students Bo Montgomery and Sean Moore to create a culture of loyalty that's become the staple of UNCW basketball in recent years.
"In today's era, it's so easy to just put your name in the transfer portal, but I feel like when you have a staff like coach Siddle and the staff he has brought here, they really care. It's really bigger than basketball," Newby said.
After falling in two Coastal Athletic Association tournament finals in the last five years, the Seahawks finally punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by winning the tournament this winter.
That moment may be regarded as UNCW's most significant victory this season, but for Siddle, it's the moments he's shared with his players that shine brightest.
"This group right here, you could see it very quick that they were gonna be extremely connected with each other," Siddle said. "The last month of the season, you could really start to see how close they were."
What's next for UNCW basketball coach Takayo Siddle?
UNCW basketball coach Takayo Siddle has undoubtedly built an impressive resume in his five years as the Seahawk's lead man.
Guiding the team to a 106-47 record since taking over in 2021, Siddle, 38, is under contract with UNCW through the 2027-28 season after signing an extension in 2023.
The Eden, N.C., native didn't touch on his future after UNCW's loss but did emphasize his eagerness to return to the NCAA Tournament.
"One of my dreams is to win a national championship, and it wasn't going to stop coming into this tournament this time," Siddle said. "We fell short. We get back here next year. It's going to be the same thing. We're gonna try and make a deep run."
Siddle made at least an additional $75,000 this season as the Seahawks earned more than 25 wins, won the CAA tournament and played in an NCAA Tournament competition. With a base pay of $300,000 and the ability to earn up to an additional $300,000 in supplemental pay, the former NC State assistant has had one of his most financially successful seasons.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: After 2025 March Madness loss, UNCW basketball remains confident
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