https://uncwsports.com/news/2018/12/11/furman.aspx
Seahawks Back On Floor Vs. No. 23 Furman
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The UNCW men's basketball team ventures out of the state of North Carolina for the first time this season when the Seahawks take on 23rd-ranked Furman early Saturday at intimate Timmons Arena in Greenville, S.C.
The Seahawks, 4-6, face a tall task in the Paladins, who stand a perfect 11-0 and remain one of nine unbeatens in all of NCAA Division I hoops. The 11-0 mark includes three wins in overtime that featured a combined 45 lead changes. On top of that, opposing clubs must overcome tight surroundings in the on-campus venue.
UNCW Head Coach C.B. McGrath and his club stand 2-3 away from Trask Coliseum this season, but have only played a pair of true road games at North Carolina and Campbell. Saturday's clash with the Paladins is the second of four consecutive pre-Christmas road tilts to conclude the non-conference schedule for the Seahawks.
Saturday's 4 p.m. matchup promises to be a high scoring affair. The Seahawks are averaging 80.7 points per game and the Paladins are collecting a robust 82.8 points each outing.
"Furman is playing great as a team," said McGrath. "The entire country knows about Furman basketball because they're being successful. They play as a team. When I watch them, not one single kid cares about how many points he scores. They care about helping their team win a game. It's worked out well for them.
"They run good stuff offensively. They try to get out on transition and score. If not, they have guys around the perimeter who can make three's. It's not going to be a different system that we have to get ready for."
Live Seahawk Digital Network (SDN) coverage of the UNCW-FU contest starts at 3:45 p.m. with Mike Vaccaro, the "Voice of the Seahawks," on the call. Visit UNCWsports.com/SDN for live audio coverage.
A radio broadcast of the game may be heard on 95.9 FM "The Breeze" | WKXB HD 2 – 95.9 FM and 99.9 HD2 and live stats are available at UNCWStats.com.
THE STORYLINES
UNBLEMISHED AT THE TOP: Joining Furman in the ranks of the unbeaten are Buffalo, Houston, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, St. John's, Texas Tech and Virginia. The group includes teams from eight different conferences.
TIMMONS TIME: The Paladins have not lost on their home floor this season in six tries. Furman's average home attendance is 1,519 fans.
THE SERIES: The Seahawks and Paladins have only met twice, splitting the two contests at Trask Coliseum. The two clubs played for the first time on Dec. 30, 2011, and the Seahawks earned a 72-61 verdict. Furman turned the tables last season with a 90-84 decision on Dec. 17, 2017, in Wilmington.
SEAHAWKS VS. SoCON: The Seahawks have played eight of the current 10 members of the Southern Conference and compiled a 21-18 record against the group. UNCW fell, 82-61, to UNCG in the third game of the new season in its lone battle with a SoCon opponent.
IN THE BOOKS: The Seahawks are returning to action following a 10-day hiatus for end-of-the-semester exams. UNCW last played on Dec. 5 at nationally-ranked North Carolina.
BATTLE OF THE BIGS: Saturday's tip features two talented inside players in UNCW's Devontae Cacok and Furman's Matt Rafferty. Cacok is averaging a double-double of 14.9 points and 11.7 rebounds, while Rafferty counters with 17.5 points and 9.5 boards. Cacok ranks fourth nationally in rebounding with his 11.7 per game clip.
NEXT UP: The Seahawks continue their non-conference schedule with a pair of games in Georgia next week, visiting former CAA rival Georgia State on Wednesday, Dec. 19, in Atlanta before moving down to Macon for a Friday, Dec. 21, matchup at Mercer.
EVERYTHING SEAHAWKS: 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).