UNCW Set to Play Duke in 1st Round of NCAA Tournament

WILMINGTON, NC - Selection Sunday proved to be an excellent day for the UNC Wilmington’s men’s basketball team as it determined what the beginning of the rest of the season was going to look like. It ended in a furious roar of a cheer of the crowd and the team celebrating like never before.
At Trask Coliseum, an event was held to watch selection sunday but also served as a recognition time of this year’s team and the accomplishment of winning of the CAA Championship the weekend of March 4th-7th as the trophy and cut off net were present. The event included some contests for the audience to enjoy, a gallery of when the team was warmly greeted when they returned to Wilmington Tuesday. March 8th, a recognition of all the players and coaches, and a slideshow of all the memories of the season thus far - good and bad - that led up to this point that has made the season for the ages. The dance team, the cheerleaders, and the pep band led some entertainment as they had all season long to make what the games are for the fans. It was a great commemorative event held for the team and fans as a whole.

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This selection sunday was made possible by the season of the ages has ensued behind the 11-game winning streak that led to tieing the most wins in team history at 22 and also winning the CAA Championship behind great team play and particularly Chris Flemmings individual play to make the current record at 25-7. The winning of the CAA Championship automatically put a bid for the NCAA Tourney in place. Sunday served as the time to determine what the first round of this tourney will look like for the Seahawks. 
About 40 minutes into the event, UNC Wilmington found out it’s fate for the 1st round. The choice made for their opponent was met with ultimate praise and celebration from the crowd and team. A couple of projections before the actual selection was made Sunday stated Miami (FL) and Maryland as possible opponents for the Seahawks in the first round positioning UNCW at the No. 15 then the No. 14 seeds. Events happened in Championship week in the Seahawks favor and ultimately moved up the Seahawks to the No. 13 seed. 
UNC Wilmington was chosen as the No. 13 seed to play No. 4 Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Providence, Rhode Island Thursday. March 17th at 12:15 pm. Duke is the defending national champions as the Blue Devils won the 2015 National Championship. Knowing that Duke is a fellow North Carolinian team, UNC Wilmington looks to make the most of their opportunity against Duke and will play to the best of their ability. This is what led to the roar of cheers and celebration. It is because of the unexpectancy of this matchup that was chosen and now the opportunity to show the country what they are made of against a National opponent in Duke. Another Fellow North Carolinian team in North Carolina at Chapel Hill was chosen as a No. 1 seed as well as Virginia, Oregon, and Kansas. 

The UNC Wilmington Seahawk Men’s basketball team will look to make history as they travel up to Providence, Rhode island this week to take on the Blue Devils Thursday. March 17th at 12:15 p.m. to continue the season of the ages.