UNCW to face Minnesota on Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (UNCW) -– The UNCW men’s basketball team returns to the hardwood this weekend with the middle leg of a three-game road swing when the Seahawks take on Big Ten Conference member and defending NIT champion Minnesota early Saturday at historic Williams Arena.

The Seahawks last faced Campbell on Tuesday in Buies Creek, N.C., falling 69-63 to their longtime state rivals, and will be looking to regain some momentum heading into the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association slate.

UNCW battles the Golden Gophers at 1 p.m. EST and concludes the non-conference portion of the schedule on Tuesday against Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. UNCW Head Coach Kevin Keatts and his club make their 2014-15 conference debut at home on Jan. 3 when Hofstra visits Trask Coliseum.

“We’re obviously excited about getting back on the court,” said Keatts. “Anytime you’re coming off a loss, you want to get back in the gym and play. We were excited about getting the guys back in practice last night and having the opportunity to play again.”

UNCW has played six of its first nine games away from home. Including this two-game jaunt, the team will have played eight of its first 11 on the road going into the CAA opener with the Pride next weekend.

The Seahawks are making their second appearance at Williams Arena, affectionately known in college basketball circles as “The Barn” for its cavernous appearance. The 14,625-seat facility was built in 1928 and resembles an airplane hangar with double arch steel beams across the top of the interior.

In their last game in the fabled venue, UNCW stunned the Golden Gophers, 58-50, on Dec. 4, 2001. The Seahawks trailed, 31-22, at intermission, but rode the hot hand of Ed Williams to outscore the Gophers after the break, 36-19, and shock the hosts. Williams finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds and all-time great Brett Blizzard chipped in 16 for the Seahawks.

Minnesota is in its second season under Richard Pitino, son of Hall of Fame coach and Louisville head coach Rick Pitino. Junior forward Joey King made 8-of-11 shots and scored 19 points as Richard Pitino’s club downed Furman, 86-76, on Monday for its seventh consecutive victory. Senior guard DeAndre Mathieu scored 16 points for the 10-2 Golden Gophers with seven assists and five steals. Nate Mason added 14 points and Maurice Walker had 11 for UofM.

Keatts said: “Minnesota is a good team and Richard Pitino has done a very good job. They won the NIT last year and they’re off to another great start at 10-2. They’re a lot like us in terms of style of play. They like to get out in transition, they like to score and they play multiple defenses. They have some guys who can really put the ball in the hole and that makes them tough because they can score from inside and out.”

The Seahawks have two connections to Minnesota. Keatts worked with the Pitinos three years ago at Louisville and assistant coach Casey Stanley served as video coordinator on Richard Pitino’s staff last season in Minneapolis. Stanley also worked with Pitino at Florida International as video coordinator and assistant coach during the 2012-13 season.

UNCW, 5-4, features three players averaging in double figures, topped by senior guard Freddie Jackson’s 16.0 points per game. Junior guard Craig Ponder is chipping in 11.7 ppg and senior guard Addison Spruill is contributing 11.6 ppg.

Senior guard Andre Hollis (14.1 ppg) paces the Golden Gophers, while junior guard Carlos Morris (12.1 ppg) and senior forward Maurice Walker (11.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) are also off to good starts this season

UNCW owns a 3-9 lifetime mark in games against the BIg Ten Conference, beating Minnesota, Northwestern and Penn State, and has played 10 of the current members of the loop through the years, compiling a 3-13 record against the group. UNCW’s last Big Ten foe was Iowa. The Hawkeyes routed the Seahawks, 82-39, in the 2013-14 season opener on Nov. 8, 2013, in Iowa City.

Sunday’s game can be heard on the Seahawk Digital Network via UNCWsports.com. Fans should click on the “Live Events” button on the top right-hand corner of the main page and follow the prompts for the free broadcast. A 15-minute pregame show kicks off the coverage followed by first-half coverage, a 15-minute halftime show, second-half action and a 15-minute post-game show.

Live-in game updates are also available on Twitter by following @UNCWmenshoops.

Season tickets remain on sale for UNCW’s home schedule and may be purchased at the UNCW Athletics Ticket Office in Trask Coliseum or by visiting UNCWsports.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the UNCW Athletic Ticket Office at 910-962-3233 or 1-800-808-UNCW.