Overview:
There were indications early on that UNC-Wilmington
was going to have a very special season. The
Seahawks went out to Laramie and won the season
opening Black Coaches Association Invitational,
beating Butler, host Wyoming and Northwestern en
route to the title. UNC-Wilmington then went on to
share the CAA regular season title and run the table
in the conference tournament, winning all three
games by double digits. That performance in the CAA
Tournament is all the more impressive when you
consider just how tough this league was during the
regular season.
Potential Difference Maker: Point guard John
Goldsberry is a steady senior with the ability to
knock down the 3-pointer if he gets a look. His line
in that game against Butler shows what he's capable
of: 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. He
will leave UNC-Wilmington as one of the program's
most decorated players.
On Offense: They run a lot of what is called
“continuity.” It’s all about motion with the
Seahawks. They are really good screening team and
they like to run clock. They are limited offensively
so they need to grind it out. Todd Hendley gives
them really good size on the interior, but he is not
a real offensive weapon.
On Defense: They are a great position defense
team. They are rarely out of position and they play
a real physical style of basketball.
Strength: It’s about defense, defense and
more defense. That’s what makes them so good.
Weakness: They will struggle to score for
stretches, which means you are never really out of a
game.
Key to Success: They want to play in the 50s.
They don’t want to see a quick tempo. Additionally
they need Goldsberry to knock down some open looks.
How to Beat Them: Make it a high-octane
affair. You don’t have to pick it up in the full
court and trap -- defend and go to force the pace.
Most importantly, stay focused. They can easily
frustrate you.
