http://uncwsports.com/news/2017/2/8/mens...e-set.aspx
Seahawks Put Finishing Touches On Three-Game Set
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – With the stretch run of the 2016-17 campaign officially here, the UNCW men's basketball team wraps up a key three-game homestand on Thursday with a Colonial Athletic Association rematch against James Madison's Dukes at Trask Coliseum.
The Seahawks (21-4, 10-2) are looking to nail down their third series sweep of the season after taking the first matchup with the Dukes, 87-76, two weeks ago in Harrisonburg, Va. UNCW and JMU (7-18, 5-7) tip off at 7 p.m. and Kevin Keatts' club is seeking its 11th victory in 12 home appearances on the season.
UNCW remains in a first-place tie in the CAA standings with the College of Charleston (19-6, 10-2). Elon (15-10, 7-5), Towson (15-10, 7-5) and William & Mary (13-10, 7-5) trail the frontrunners.
Live Seahawk Digital Network (SDN) coverage of the UNCW-JMU contest begins with Mike Vaccaro providing the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. Visit UNCWsports.com/SDN for live audio coverage. In addition, a radio broadcast of the game can be heard on WLSG 94.1 FM and 1340 AM (Wilmington) and WSME 97.1 FM and 1120 AM (Jacksonville).
UNCW, 1-1 on the homestand, is trying to build some momentum heading into a rugged three-game road trip that begins Saturday at Elon. The Seahawks will then travel to the frigid Northeast to battle Northeastern and Hofstra before closing out the regular season at home against the Huskies and Towson at the end of the month.
"I think we've had a good week of practice," said third-year UNCW Head Coach Kevin Keatts told a media contingent late Wednesday. "I can't tell you that we're shooting the ball well enough to make 21 three-pointers again, but we've made some shots."
Four players continue to average in double figures for the Seahawks and five are reaching double digits in CAA tilts. Sophomore guard C.J. Bryce (16.5), senior guard Chris Flemmings (15.6), senior guard Denzel Ingram (14.7) and sophomore forward Devontae Cacok (13.6) pace the club in scoring.
The versatile Flemmings was the catalyst for the Seahawks in the first meeting between the two teams on Jan. 26 at the JMU Convocation Center. The Cary, N.C, product anchored six players in double figures with 18 points as the Seahawks registered back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2002-03.
UNCW unleashed a deadly long range attack in the Shenandoah Valley, draining a JMU Convo record 16 three-pointers in the victory. Cacok collected his ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Seahawks, who converted 65.5 percent from the field in the second half to pull away.
JMU's top two scorers, senior guard Jackson Kent (14.4 ppg) and junior guard Joey McLean (9.4 ppg), are both from the Tar Heel state. Kent hails from High Point and McLean calls Greensboro home. Kent has faced the Seahawks seven times - making five starts - and has averaged 7.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg, while shooting 36.5 percent (19-of-52) from the floor and 13.6 percent (3-of-22) behind the arc.
"Lou's dong a very good job with this team," Keatts added. "This game will be totally different than the first game. Every time you play someone for the second time, it will be a different type of game.
"James Madison has great size and a lot of experience. They're probably the biggest team we'll play against at the 2-3-4 and 5 positions - they are a matchup problem. They're a very good defensive team, so it's a challenge trying to find a way to score against them."
UNCW owns a 38-33 advantage in the 71-game series with JMU, including five consecutive wins over the Dukes. Keatts has never lost to JMU since taking over the Seahawk program in the summer of 2014.
For more information on the UNCW men's basketball team, visit UNCWsports.com and click on the Men's Basketball button. Additional information is also available on UNCW's social media channels: Facebook (UNCW Men's Basketball), Twitter (@UNCWmenshoops), Instagram (UNCWBasketball).