Less than 24 hours till gametime. I only realized moments ago that JMU, currently riding a 5-game winning streak, hasn't lost since playing.....us. We beat them in Harrisonburg on Feb 4 and they haven't lost since.
http://uncwsports.com/news/2015/2/23/MBB...54200.aspx
![[Image: passthru_imagecredit_seniorsgraphic_copy.jpg]](http://uncwsports.com/images/2015/2/24/passthru_imagecredit_seniorsgraphic_copy.jpg)
Seahawks Salute Seniors In Crucial Home Finale Against Dukes
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Freddie Jackson, Addison Spruill and Cedrick Williams will remember their final home appearance for the UNCW men's basketball team for more than just the obvious reason. Wednesday's key matchup with James Madison is also critical for the Seahawks' title hopes in a surprising season that has produced numerous highlights.
The Seahawks, 16-11 overall and 11-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association, take on another of the CAA's upstart teams in the Dukes, who carry a 18-11 and 11-5 ledger into the 7 p.m. tip-off. A special "Senior Night" ceremony is slated for 6:50 p.m.
With only two outings remaining in the regular season, UNCW has plenty of company at the top of the CAA heap as three other teams – James Madison, Northeastern and William & Mary - share the conference lead at 11-5 in the loop.
"I'm excited for our players and program," said Keatts, who took over the helm of UNCW's cage fortunes on April 1, 2014. "It's been quite a while since UNCW has played a meaningful game in late February. I'm just happy for our seniors to be able to play these games and to be in this position right now."
The Seahawks, who top the CAA in home attendance at 3,902 fans per game, are seeking their fourth conference sweep of the season after taking a pair of games from Charleston, Northeastern and Towson.
"Our three seniors are having the best years of their careers," added Keatts. "They've all improved in scoring and rebounding and with their performances to get the program where it is today."
Jackson, Spruill and Williams have played in a combined 297 games and made 218 starts for the Seahawks, who have fashioned one of the top turnaround seasons in NCAA Division I play. UNCW has already clinched its first winning season in eight years since a 20-13 mark in 2007-08.
Wednesday's matchup will feature three of the CAA's top-10 scorers in UNCW's Spruill (6th-14.3 ppg) and Jackson (8th-13.6 ppg) and JMU's Ron Curry (10th-13.2 ppg).
In UNCW's last appearance, Spruill and durable freshman Jordon Talley combined to go 10-for-10 in the final 39 seconds to lift UNCW past Towson, 73-69, last Saturday in snowy Towson, Md. The Seahawks trailed with four minutes left to play before Spruill, who scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half, caught fire and sparked UNCW to the key road win for a split of a two-game swing to Delaware and Towson.
James Madison, however, had to wait an extra day, but still disposed of the College of Charleston in a 67-61 victory over the Cougars early Sunday at the JMU Convocation Center. Sophomore forward Yohanny Dalembert scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Dukes to their fifth straight win, the longest conference streak for JMU since Jan. 3 through Jan. 15, 2011.
"James Madison is playing great basketball right now," said Keatts. "Give Coach (Matt) Brady a lot of credit. He's done a very good job with their team. They're playing hard and Ron Curry is playing at a high level. It will be a tough challenge because they're the hottest team in the league with five straight wins."
UNCW owns a slight 34-33 edge in the longtime series vs. JMU. UNCW won the inaugural game on Dec. 16, 1979, took 14 straight from Jan. 20, 2001, to Jan. 10, 2008.
The Seahawks are the last team to beat the Dukes. UNCW won the first game in the tightly-contested series, 69-52, on Dec. 16, 1979, and it's been a close series ever since. JMU has had the better of the matchups in recent outings, however, and had a four-game winning streak over UNCW snapped with the early February loss in Harrisonburg.
UNCW stands 18-11 lifetime against JMU at Trask Coliseum, including 9-2 during the month of February at the energized arena. The Dukes have won three in a row in Wilmington, but UNCW has taken six of the last 10 matchups on its home floor. UNCW's last victory over JMU at Trask Coliseum came on Jan. 23, 2010, when the Seahawks won at home in their final season under Benny Moss.
Wednesday's game with the Dukes can be seen 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.
