Aaaaaaaand we are back! It's the most wonderful time of the year again and my least productive month/s of the year at work. I just realized I haven't done one of these since the Wyoming game, which feels like it was years ago, and for that I apologize. Life has been life-ing and while I still consume an insane amount of CBB and CBB related content I haven't felt like writing much. So, shout out to the great @Rolf C for keeping up his spectacular work while dealing with the musings of @redraider2007 , @carterforsale and I outside of the threads 
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On a more hoops centric note.... Tech finds themselves back in the tournament for the second consecutive year as a 3 seed and after one of the best regular seasons in school history. Their first round opponent will be the Seahawks of UNC-Wilmington coached by Takayo Siddle. Not only does he have a cool name but he is one of the most underrated Mid-Major coaches in the country. In 5 seasons he has finished in the top 3 of the conference 4 times to go along with 4 20+win seasons. Siddle is a long time Kevin Keatts disciple (NC State coach from last year) and has kept the train rolling for UNCW and finally broke thru to the tournament this year. No matter what the level winning nearly 70% of your games is damn impressive.
While UNCW is a 14 seed for a reason they look quite different than your typical low to MM squad 14 seed squad. They are deep and will roll out 6 guys over 6'5 and 5 guys 6'7 and over. No matter what the level they are a very big team. And especially on the wings. With this size they make a living in the paint, offensive glass and post-up looks. UNCW plays thru the post at a top 10 rate nationally and is top 20 nationally in efficiency on those looks (credit 3 Man Weave for that stat). All that being said they do not have a ton of shooting and struggle to stop the 3 ball defensively. Both good things for Tech. They say styles make fights and this should make for an interesting game.
UNC-Wilmington by the Numbers:
.On a more hoops centric note.... Tech finds themselves back in the tournament for the second consecutive year as a 3 seed and after one of the best regular seasons in school history. Their first round opponent will be the Seahawks of UNC-Wilmington coached by Takayo Siddle. Not only does he have a cool name but he is one of the most underrated Mid-Major coaches in the country. In 5 seasons he has finished in the top 3 of the conference 4 times to go along with 4 20+win seasons. Siddle is a long time Kevin Keatts disciple (NC State coach from last year) and has kept the train rolling for UNCW and finally broke thru to the tournament this year. No matter what the level winning nearly 70% of your games is damn impressive.
While UNCW is a 14 seed for a reason they look quite different than your typical low to MM squad 14 seed squad. They are deep and will roll out 6 guys over 6'5 and 5 guys 6'7 and over. No matter what the level they are a very big team. And especially on the wings. With this size they make a living in the paint, offensive glass and post-up looks. UNCW plays thru the post at a top 10 rate nationally and is top 20 nationally in efficiency on those looks (credit 3 Man Weave for that stat). All that being said they do not have a ton of shooting and struggle to stop the 3 ball defensively. Both good things for Tech. They say styles make fights and this should make for an interesting game.
UNC-Wilmington by the Numbers:
- 105th per Kenpom
- 84th on offense
- 184th on defense
- 109th per T Rank
- 76th on offense
- 184th on defense
- 122nd per Haslamtrics
- 85th on offense
- 170th on defense
- 29th in the country in OR%
- 50th in the country in FT rate (shoot 75%)
- 251st in the country in 3 pt rate
- 209th in 3p%
- 61st in the country in near-proximity FG%
- 299th in the country in 3P attempt rate allowed
- Donovan Newby- 6'1, 185 - Stocky lead guard and second team All-CAA. After watching him I would compare him as a Dollar-General version of WVU's Javon Small. Newby isn't a freak athlete but is strong and utilizes change of pace/speed well to get to his spots. He is the engine of the UNCW offense and the only guy who will consistently work in ball screens. Loves the pull up and creates space off of contact / getting into the body of the defender. Also shoots a high volume of 3's at a 36+% clip. Can get them off the bounce or the catch. Generates a ton of FT attempts and doesn't miss at the line (89%). UNCW's best player. Averaging 14.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.5 apg.
- Khamari McGriff - 6'9, 210 - Slightly undersized, long and wiry post. Lefty. Doesn't start but probably UNCW's best interior player. Highest usage rate on team and extremely productive in modest minutes. Gives up position easily while defending the post but is a good help side shot blocker. Pounds the glass and has a high motor. Works over both shoulders in the post but really wants to get to his jump hook. Good leaper and can run. Averaging 11.6 ppg, 4 rpg, .7 apg, 1.2 bpg.
- Harlan Obioha - 7'0, 280 - Enormous post player at any level. Not a stiff but doesn't have the quickest feet. Establishes position extremely well and hard to move. Not a deep bag but is effective on post ups w/ good touch. Crashes the boards hard and is a good offensive rebounder. Solid shot blocker and gets to the line at a high clip. Struggles defending in space. UNCW will play zone to protect him at times. Averaging 9.3 ppg, 5.9 apg, .9 apg, 1.2 bpg.
- Bo Montgomery- 6'5, 205 - Lanky / twitchy wing, their version of KO. Solid shooter - mostly CnS - with a pretty shot. Probably their second-best guard after Newby. Has some shot creation flashes and will attack closeouts hard. Another solid rebounder. Gets lost off the ball quite often on defense. Averaging 9.1` ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg.
- Sean Moore- 6'7, 190 - former FDU player on the squad that upset Purdue (he dropped 17). Yet another long/lean guard. Wired to score first and foremost. Attack oriented but can get a little too jumper happy. Below average shooter from distance but that doesn't stop him from taking them. Has some shake to his game but is loose with the ball. Very good rebounder. Averaging 8.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.3 apg.
- Noah Ross - 6'7, 210 - Big wing who comes off the bench. The form looks solid but not a great shooter. Great on the glass and efficient inside the arc - good cutter/uses body well attacking and is a plus finisher. Limited laterally on defense in space but bodies up well. Averaging 8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg.
- Nolan Hodge- 6'7, 190 - Another long guard / wing, more of a shooter than driver. Has nice looking stroke (38% from deep) and is a solid rebounder. Thin framed but a fluid athlete who will run off screens and handle occasionally in screens on ball. Averaging 7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg.
- Greedy Williams - 6'5, 190 - Nominal starter who is more defensive oriented. Will bring the ball up and initiate some offense. Big frame for a guard but very limited offensively. Non-shooter but is an okay passer. 5.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg.
- 3's are worth more - Captain Obvious here I know... Hit your dang threes. Tech will get the looks from the perimeter, UNCW might be solid inside, but they aren't keeping pace with a Tech team that hits 10+ threes. If that happens Tech will cover here.
- Hang on the glass - UNCW makes a living off of the boards on the offensive end. And they will have a size advantage for the most part, but Tech has the athletes to keep pace on the glass here. Do that and the offense will sputter.
- Fede rolling - Tech will need Fede to take the heat off of Toppin with UNCW's two headed monster at center. And staying out of foul trouble is a must.
- Battle of the PGs - Super simple, Hawkins needs to outplay Newby for Tech to win comfortably. Not necessarily outscore but hound him on defense and by running the offense at his playmaking best.
