Kent State vs UNC Wilmington prediction: Patrick Wessler gives UNCW the anchor a remade Kent State lacks
Both rosters were rebuilt in the offseason, but the CAA's preseason player of the year returns to Trask Coliseum while Kent State's interior starts over.
- Expect a feel-out game between two rebuilt preseason favorites, with UNCW leaning on Wessler inside and Kent State hunting threes and transition chances.
- Wessler against Kent State's new frontcourt, led by Eastern Michigan transfer Godslove Nwabude, who blocked 1.6 shots per game last season.
- No spread or total is posted yet; last season's pace gap, 24th for Kent State against 233rd for UNCW, will shape the total.
Wessler and the empty paint
This is a matchup of two preseason favorites, Kent State picked first in the MAC and UNC Wilmington tabbed to win the CAA, and almost nobody on either roster has played together. Kent State brings back just 15.4% of last season's minutes. UNCW returns 23.7%, and the biggest piece of that is the one that matters most on Nov. 11.
Patrick Wessler, named the CAA's preseason player of the year, started all 34 games at center last season and averaged 13.6 points and 9.5 rebounds on 59.9% shooting. Kent State lost the player who would have dealt with him: Delrecco Gillespie, who averaged 17.7 points and 11.2 rebounds, is now at Houston. The answer now falls to transfers. Nwabude shot 65.8% at Eastern Michigan, and Portland transfer Cameron Williams scored 10.6 per game. UNCW's lineup also played bigger last season, at a minutes-weighted 79.2 inches to Kent State's 77.2.
Two speeds, one floor
Last season Kent State played at 71.7 possessions per 40 minutes, 24th fastest in Division I, and scored 84.3 points per game. UNCW sat at 66.6, 233rd, and won by defending: its opponents scored 68.0 per game, 39th nationally. The Golden Flashes beat the Seahawks 86-77 at Kent last November.
The catch is that last season's style numbers belong mostly to players who are gone. Coaching philosophy carries over even when the rosters don't, so the pace gap is still the best guide to who controls this game. UNCW at home will try to keep it in the half court and lean on Wessler.
Shooters against a stingy arc
UNCW's defense held opponents to 29.8% from three last season, ninth in the country. Kent State took threes on 44.7% of its shots, 75th nationally, but its best shooter is gone too: Jahari Williamson, who hit 44.5%, left for Pepperdine.
The returning shooter is Quinn Woidke, who made 40.4% of 166 attempts off the bench last season and posted an offensive rating of 127.3 (points produced per 100 possessions). On the other side, UNCW replaced Nolan Hodge's 92 made threes with Northeastern's William Kermoury, a 40.2% shooter on 184 attempts, and Western Carolina's Tahlan Pettway at 39.4%.
Whistles and misses
Kent State got to the line constantly last season. Its free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) was 42.2%, 22nd in the country. Its defense also fouled a lot, ranking 284th in opponent free throw rate.
That should help UNCW, which drew fouls at a 40.6% rate last season, but only if it converts. The Seahawks made 68.3% of their free throws, 316th nationally, and Wessler shot 55.8% from the line. If Kent State keeps fouling the big man, UNCW's misses at the line could keep the game close.
Who suits up
Kent State's lead guard question is unsettled. Fordham transfer Christian Henry averaged 5.1 assists last season, but his eligibility has not been confirmed. Chansey Willis Jr. arrives from Minnesota, where he played seven games before a season-ending ankle injury. The Flashes lost their exhibition at Xavier 76-70 on Oct. 23.
For UNCW, Gavin Walsh carries an unconfirmed knee tag on the roster listing; he played 15 games last season. Luster, who missed last season with an injury, was back on the court as of Oct. 20. Neither school has named expected starters.
Key players
- Patrick Wessler (UNC Wilmington): Averaged 13.6 points and 9.5 rebounds last season on 59.9% shooting, but made only 55.8% of his free throws.
- William Kermoury (UNC Wilmington): Scored 13.1 points per game at Northeastern last season and hit 40.2% of his threes.
- Tahlan Pettway (UNC Wilmington): Shot 39.4% from three at Western Carolina last season with an offensive rating of 119.
- Quinn Woidke (Kent State): Made 40.4% of his threes last season off the bench, in 19.4 minutes per game.
- Godslove Nwabude (Kent State): Blocked 1.6 shots per game and shot 65.8% at Eastern Michigan last season.
- Cameron Williams (Kent State): Averaged 10.6 points at Portland last season with 28 starts.
Numbers that matter
| Kent State returning minutes | 15.4% | So little returns that last season's Kent State team numbers are a weak guide. |
|---|---|---|
| UNCW opponent 3-point % | 29.8% | Ranked ninth nationally last season, a defense Kent State's three-heavy approach will test. |
| Kent State pace, last season | 71.7 | Ranked 24th fastest, against UNCW's 66.6, which ranked 233rd. |
| UNCW free throw %, last season | 68.3% | Ranked 316th, a weakness against a Kent State defense that fouled often. |
| Last meeting | 86-77 | Kent State beat UNCW at home on Nov. 10, 2025. |
Kent State vs UNC Wilmington: quick answers
When is Kent State vs UNC Wilmington?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.