What does Kevin Keatts like about this year’s UNCW basketball team?

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The UNCW Seahawks are on a roll. They’re 16-5 overall. They’re tied for first place in the CAA and they’ve won seven games in a row. Comparisons are being made to last year’s team, but let’s be honest. This year’s team seems to be much better. “I think the difference is last year’s team was a drive team,” head coach Kevin Keatts told WWAY on Monday. “This year we are more of a skill team. We have more pieces and more depth to be able to play.”

We caught up with Kevin Keatts just after he found out junior Chris Flemmings was named CAA player of the week for the second time this season. “Certainly he’s earned it. He’s having a great year for us. He’s worked hard and getting better every day with loads of potential.”

UNCW’s next game will be Thursday on the road against Hofstra, the other first place team in the CAA. “We’re playing good basketball, playing unselfish basketball. I think the fans are starting to like the style of basketball we’re playing. When you come to a game there is a lot of energy in the building. I thought the homecoming game we had vs. Charleston was one of the best atmospheres we’ve had in a long time.” If they keep it up Kevin Keatts and the Seahawks might just get Trask Coliseum back to where it was 15 years ago during the Brett Blizzard glory days.

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WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) — Junior guard Chris Flemmings has been named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Player-of-the-Week for the second time this season after a pair of outstanding performances in UNCW’s victories over James Madison and the College of Charleston.

The 6-5, 175-pound Flemmings helped the Seahawks maintain a share of first place in the CAA standings heading into Thursday’s much-anticipated showdown with Hofstra at the Mack Sports Complex. He shared CAA Player-of-the-Week honors during the week of Jan. 18, 2016, with Hofstra’s Rokas Gustys.

“I’m so excited for Chris,” said Kevin Keatts, UNCW’s second-year head coach. “He’s earned this recognition. He’s a self-made guy who gets in the gym and works very hard. He’s also becoming a better defender and rebounder. His success can be traced to all of the hard work he’s putting in each day.”

Flemmings, from Cary, N.C., averaged 24.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in the two games, converting 16-of-30 field goals for 53.3 percent from the floor and making 10-of-12 at the free throw line for 83.3 percent.

In last Thursday’s win at James Madison, Flemmings paced the team with 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. He added a game-high 25 points and five boards in Saturday’s 65-55 decision over Charleston in the annual Homecoming game.

The smooth shooting Flemmings has reached double figures in 19-of-21 contests, with five games over 20 points, including three in a row vs. Drexel, JMU and Charleston. He has led the team in scoring 13 times and averaged 19.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 10 conference games.

UNCW’s 2015-16 CAA Weekly Honorees

Player-of-the-Week
Chris Flemmings, Week of Jan. 18, 2016 (Co)
Chris Flemmings, Week of Feb. 1, 2016

Rookie-of-the-Week
C.J. Bryce, Week of Nov. 30, 2015
C.J. Bryce, Week of Dec. 28, 2015
C.J. Bryce, Week of Jan. 25, 2016