UNC Wilmington Seahawks
CAA (25-7, 14-4)
Last year Coach Kevin Keatts took over a talented UNC Wilmington squad that was just not winning. He was able to win with them and the team reached the CIT and competed in the Colonial. That was the first time the Seahawks had a winning record in eight years. But with three big time scorers gone, the expectations were pretty low heading into the 2015-2016 campaign. The experts expected to see UNC Wilmington again in a couple of years once Coach Keatts had some time to bring in more players and develop some talent. Instead, the Seahawks tied for the CAA title and reached the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 1/16 William & Mary (97-94), 1/28 at James Madison (78-73), 2/4 at Hofstra (70-67)
Bad Losses: 12/16 at East Carolina (73-78), 12/19 at Radford (67-69), 1/7 at Towson (60-76)
Coach: Kevin Keatts
Why They Can Surprise:
There was no question this team was going to be backcourt heavy and there are five very talented guards to lead the way. Point guard Denzel Ingram is also the most prolific three-point shooter on the team. Because of his outside shooting ability, and because UNCW has a great point guard sitting on the bench in Jordon Talley, Ingram will spend quite a bit of time off of the ball. That helps this high scoring offense remain under control with two point guards on the floor. It helps that one of them is a great shooter. Senior Craig Ponder is the leader of the backcourt and an all-around solid player. He did not turn into the team’s top scorer like most expected. But Chris Flemmings, a transfer from Barton, was eligible to play in 2015-2016 and came out on fire. He leads the team with 16.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. C.J. Bryce is the other dangerous guard on the team. He fell just short of averaging ten points per game during the regular season, but he is aggressive attacking the basket and is very useful on the glass as well.
Why They Can Disappoint:
But somebody has to rebound and that is where this team can easily get beat. C.J. Gettys is a big 7-0 center, but only averages 15.7 minutes per game. When in the game he is a solid rebounder and a good shot blocker. The good news is that Coach Keatts has big bodies. Marcus Bryan is a 6-7, 225 pound sophomore who averages 4.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Devontae Cacok is an emerging freshman who averages 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in under ten minutes per game. And Dylan Sherwood is an experienced 6-9, 215 pound senior who can stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability. This team does not have to play small, but they do since their five most productive players are guards. Against a bigger, tougher team in the NCAA Tournament, expect more minutes from Bryan, Cacok and Sherwood. For UNC Wilmington to win, they need to be productive minutes.
Probable Starters:
Denzel Ingram, Junior, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 1.5 spg
Craig Ponder, Senior, Guard, 11.1 ppg, 2.3 apg
C.J. Bryce, Freshman, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Chris Flemmings, Junior, Guard, 16.1 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.9 rpg
C.J. Gettys, Junior, Center, 5.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Marcus Bryan, Sophomore, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Devontae Cacok, Freshman, Forward, 3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Dylan Sherwood, Senior, Forward, 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Jordon Talley, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 4.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.2 (42nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.4 (166, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.6 (95, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (90, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.9 (181, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.6 (225, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.0 (164, 3)
Rebound Margin: 1.0 (156, 7)
Assists Per Game: 13.5 (156, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.5 (66, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 CIT First Round loss to Sam Houston State
*all team stats through 3/6
