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NCAA Profile: UNC-WIlmington Seahawks

Can the aggressive defense take out the 4th seeded Duke Blue Devils? And shouldn't this game be played in the Carolinas instead of in Providence?

By Norman Rose
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Team: UNC-Wilmington Seahawks

Conference: Colonial Athletic Association

Coach: Kevin Keatts

Record: 25-7 overall, 14-4 in conference.

KenPom Rank: 74

Good wins: at Hofstra.

Impact Players: Chris Flemmings (16 points/ game, six rebounds); Denzel Ingram (13 points/ game, three assists per contest); Jordan Talley (nine points, four assists per game).

How did they get in?: The Seahawks won the CAA Tournament in a tough overtime game over Hofstra; the seven point margin in OT was more than the margin they won their previous two CAA Tournament games by COMBINED. Still, it's hard to discount a team that won 11 in a row at one point, and battled through three tough games to win their conference tournament.

How far can this team go in the NCAA Tournament?: It's hard to imagine a team that fouls his much (second highest ratio of free throws given up to field goals in the country) getting very far against major conference teams. But the Seahawks are aggressive in looking for turnovers from opponents, and that could make them Sweet Sixteen squad.

Last time in the NCAA Tournament: 2006, under current Clemson coach Brad Brownell.

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