WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Going to the NCAA Tournament should never get old. For some of the UNCW players it’s a return trip. For some it’s a first, like Jaylen Fornes it’s a brand new experience. “I feel like we’re ready for anybody” Fornes told WWAY. “We’ll go in with confidence. We are ready to play and we look to win a game and advance.”
UNCW brings a fast-paced, up and down the court tempo to the NCAA Tournament. The Seahawks opponent, Virginia, will be just the opposite. The Cavaliers pride themselves on defense. “I have no idea how we’re going to score,” UNCW head basketball coach Kevin Keatts told WWAY’s John Rendleman on Tuesday. “In practice I’ve tried to sneak seven or eight guys in there on the defensive end. Tony is a great coach. If you look at this Virginia team four weeks ago people were talking about them being a #1 seed and this will be as tough a game as we’ve played all year long.”
UNCW Chancellor Zito Sartarelli attended Tuesday’s sendoff and he understands the importance of the Seahawks being in the Big Dance. “It’s very important to us,” Sartarelli said. “It attracts more students, puts us on the map and we’re also not just a great athletic institution, but a great athletic program.”