PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY THURSDAY SHOCKER >> 3-0 SWEEP Tuesday w/ Kansas St!
(NCAAB) UNC Wilmington vs. Virginia,
Point Spread: 7.50 | -110.00 UNC Wilmington (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 7.50 | -110.00 UNC Wilmington (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: 22-10 Virginia out of the ACC is a No. 5 seed and 29-5 UNC-Wilmington, the CAA's regular season and postseason champ, comes in as a No. 12 seed. The teams square off in a first round game from Orlando, Fl. (East Region) with an early tip (12:40 ET). The Cavaliers are the nation's stingiest team, allowing just 55.6 PPG, while Seahawks average 85.2 PPG, which ranks 10th in the nation.
UNC-Wilmington: The Seahawks have a trio of guards averaging in double figures, with Bryce (17.6 & 5.5) being joined on the perimeter by Flemmings (15.8 & 5.5) and PG Ingram (14.5 & 5.4 APG). The Seahawks like to push the pace and shoot threes (326 three-pointers was good for 14th in the country). However, the Seahawks lack size and often count 6-7 sophomore forward Devontae Cacok as the tallest player on the floor surrounded by guards that push the tempo. However, Cook is an effective player, averaging 12.3 PPG and a team-high 9.6 RPG.
Virginia: Naturally, the Cavaliers will try do everything they can to control the tempo, while trying desperately to score some points of their own. Senior PG London Perrantes (12.5 & 3.8 APG) is the only Cav averaging in double figures and he was held to three points on 1-of-9 shooting in the loss to Notre Dame that knocked Virginia out of the ACC tourney. Virginia doesn't have much size either, as its best frontcourt player is the 6-7 Wilkins (7.0 & 6.2) and he's dealing with an illness and his availability against Wilmington is in question. Bottom line is, Virginia averages only 66.6 PPG (313th).
The pick: OK, the Virginia defense led the nation in points allowed and held six different opponents under 45 points, as defense has been the calling card for the Cavaliers under head coach Tony Bennett. However, UNC-Wilmington averages 85.2 points and reached 100 seven times during the season. The Cavaliers lost four straight games in February (12th-20th), as their offense sputtered. Can they do enough on that end of the floor to make a deep tournament run? How about, can they do enough to even get past Wilmington? Remember, the Seahawks (with pretty much the same team) scared fourth-seeded Duke last spring, before falling 93-85. As for Virginia, the Cavaliers have lost to a team seeded three or more slots lower than them in each of their last three Big Dance appearances. UNC-Wilmington is an 8* play.
UNC-Wilmington: The Seahawks have a trio of guards averaging in double figures, with Bryce (17.6 & 5.5) being joined on the perimeter by Flemmings (15.8 & 5.5) and PG Ingram (14.5 & 5.4 APG). The Seahawks like to push the pace and shoot threes (326 three-pointers was good for 14th in the country). However, the Seahawks lack size and often count 6-7 sophomore forward Devontae Cacok as the tallest player on the floor surrounded by guards that push the tempo. However, Cook is an effective player, averaging 12.3 PPG and a team-high 9.6 RPG.
Virginia: Naturally, the Cavaliers will try do everything they can to control the tempo, while trying desperately to score some points of their own. Senior PG London Perrantes (12.5 & 3.8 APG) is the only Cav averaging in double figures and he was held to three points on 1-of-9 shooting in the loss to Notre Dame that knocked Virginia out of the ACC tourney. Virginia doesn't have much size either, as its best frontcourt player is the 6-7 Wilkins (7.0 & 6.2) and he's dealing with an illness and his availability against Wilmington is in question. Bottom line is, Virginia averages only 66.6 PPG (313th).
The pick: OK, the Virginia defense led the nation in points allowed and held six different opponents under 45 points, as defense has been the calling card for the Cavaliers under head coach Tony Bennett. However, UNC-Wilmington averages 85.2 points and reached 100 seven times during the season. The Cavaliers lost four straight games in February (12th-20th), as their offense sputtered. Can they do enough on that end of the floor to make a deep tournament run? How about, can they do enough to even get past Wilmington? Remember, the Seahawks (with pretty much the same team) scared fourth-seeded Duke last spring, before falling 93-85. As for Virginia, the Cavaliers have lost to a team seeded three or more slots lower than them in each of their last three Big Dance appearances. UNC-Wilmington is an 8* play.
