UNCW opens NCAA Tournament with Duke

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW found out its dance partner Sunday, and it’s an in-state foe the Seahawks haven’t faced in 34 years.

The Seahawks enter the NCAA tournament as a 13th seed in the West region. They head to Providence, RI, where they will take on 4th-seeded Duke at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday. The winner takes on the winner of #5 Baylor and #12 Yale Saturday.

The Seahawks and Blue Devils have played only once in their history. Duke beat UNCW 67-57 in overtime in Durham on Feb. 8, 1982.

It’s the first time UNCW has played in the NCAA since they were a 9th seed in 2006. They lost to 8th seed George Washington 88-85 in a first-round overtime loss in Greensboro that year.

The Seahawks have an overall record of 1-4 in four previous NCAA appearances. Their lone win was in 2002, when they beat Southern Cal 93-89 in overtime in the first round. UNCW also made the Big Dance in 2000 and 2003.

This is UNCW’s first tournament trip under head coach Kevin Keatts, who led the Seahawks to this year’s CAA title in his second year.