Carter enjoying last stand

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Senior's playmaking key to Seahawks' rise


T.J. Carter took his turn at the microphone last Saturday during UNC-Wilmington's senior night ceremony.

He thanked God, family, coaches and teammates, the fans seated on the south side of Trask Coliseum.

Then, he turned toward the north bleachers and the 500 students who hung around for half an hour following an 11-point loss. He issued a parting message to those who frequently chanted "Tee-Jay-Car-ter, Tee-Jay-Car-ter" the past five years.

"We're not done here. We've got a championship to bring home."

A loud roar followed. At this time last season, a similar statement would've likely elicited more laughs than cheers. But Carter's return, along with the development of the other three seniors, has given the Seahawks hope as February turns to March.

"We've had a successful season to this point," Carter said. "I expected to come in and make an impact on my team, all across the board."

He has. Carter is the only player in the Colonial Athletic Association in the top 12 in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (5.7) and assists (4.4). He's second in free-throw percentage (84.9).

UNCW coach Benny Moss knows the value of Carter's presence. He watched his team fall short time after time during a seven-win 2006-07 season, especially late in games. Carter sat on the sidelines, recuperating from a preseason pelvic floor repair procedure.

This season, Carter has emerged as the team's closer, a sneaker-wearing version of the Yankees' Mariano Rivera. The Seahawks' formula for success: keep it close for 35 minutes, then give the ball to Carter and watch him work.

His ability to penetrate and attack the basket creates open 3-pointers for Daniel Fountain and Chad Tomko. It makes opponents think twice about double-teaming center Vlad Kuljanin.

Carter delivered winning shots at Old Dominion and George Mason. He scored the final seven points as UNCW beat Hofstra in early January. All together, Moss said Carter has been worth "eight or nine" victories this season.

Subtract eight or nine victories from UNCW's total of 18 and this season resembles last season. Trask Coliseum would have been half-empty again, not near-capacity as it was for three games. The Seahawks would be holed up in the CAA

cellar, not holding an outside chance for a share of the regular-season title.

Carter said it felt good for his coach to make that statement, but, always humble, he deflected the credit.

"After sitting out last year, we had a goal and a mission to turn things around," Carter said. "Not that I took the responsibility for those wins. It means that I've had enough impact on our guys playing now that we could turn things around, they are having better years."

Still, early on Carter struggled to find his role. His first three seasons, playing alongside John Goldsberry, it was Carter's job to score when he caught the ball. Now, Moss was asking him to create opportunities for teammates.

In November and December, he often forced shots or tried plays outside the context of the offense. When teams made runs at UNCW, Carter felt he had to hoist the team on his back. Finally, he started trusting his teammates. He learned to make the easy play - feeding a bounce pass to Kuljanin in the post, pulling up for a jumper in the lane - instead of the spectacular.

"He did not get a chance to play in the system and learn it like Vlad and Todd (Hendley) and Daniel did," Moss said. "I think coming off the 7-22 record, with some people looking at him as being the savior, I think maybe he forced a little bit early on. He wasn't relaxing and letting the game come to him. As the year has progressed, he's really found his comfort zone."

Carter, sixth on the UNCW career scoring list, is pleased with his progress as a playmaker. He's glad the program is held in high regard again. He's looking forward to tonight, when he'll likely go head-to-head with VCU guard Eric Maynor, a strong candidate for CAA player of the year.

After the ceremony Saturday, the four UNCW seniors remained on the court. Fans wanted one last minute with each one. Some wished to meet and greet the players' parents, others wanted to snap a photograph.

The largest crowd, the longest line, formed around Carter.

One nervous teenage girl was the spokesperson not only for her family, but also for anyone who follows the Seahawks.

"I just want to tell you how much we've enjoyed watching you play," she said. "We're going to miss you so much."

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Next-to-last regular season game is critical for both teams in the CAA race. League leader VCU can clinch the top seed in the tournament with a victory, while UNCW can lock up a first-round bye. Seahawks coach Benny Moss was ejected early in the first meeting, won by VCU 72-57. The Rams lead the nation in
3-point field goal defense (27.3) and are top 10 nationally in points allowed and field-goal defense.

 

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First Look at VCU

The UNCW - VCU game on Wednesday night is a classic matchup of good offense vs. good defense.

The Seahawks are one of the nation's most efficient offensive teams. The five starters can score from virtually every corner of the court. Daniel Fountain is the CAA's top 3-point shooter (43.9). Vlad Kuljanin is 2nd in the nation in field goal percentage (66.7 percent). All together, UNCW has impressive numbers nationally in several offensive categories:

1.06 points per possession (56th)

48 percent field goal shooting (22nd)

53.9 percent 2-point shooting (15th)

36.9 percent 3-point shooting (94th)

Meanwhile, VCU is a suffocating defensive team. Using a 10-man rotation loaded with long, fast, athletes, the Rams challenge every pass. They try to disrupt everything a team wants to do. They pressure fullcourt, which creates turnovers or forces teams to burn eight or nine seconds getting across halfcourt and into their offense. They make wings catch the ball 28 feet from the basket, where they can't shoot or make an entry pass to the paint. That pushes post players out to 12-14 feet, out of their comfort zone. They can gamble, because freakish wing-span freshman Larry Sanders is waiting at the rim to swat shots. He blocked nine of Akron's Saturday.

Their defensive numbers (and national ranks) are subsequently, ridiculously good.

.872 points per possession (8th)

38.7 percent field goal shooting (7th)

42.6 percent 2-point shooting (15th)

27.3 percent 3-points shooting (1st)

Of course, UNCW's offensive weakness is turnovers. Though the Seahawks have improved in this department, they still cough the ball up on 21.9 percent of their possessions (237th in the nation). And the Rams thrive on - you guessed it - turnovers. They force them on 23.6 percent of their opponents' possessions (46th).

UNCW committed turnovers on 26 percent of its possessions and scored just 0.83 ppp during the teams' first meeting, a 72-57 VCU victory.

VCU's style of play on the offensive end also factors into its success. The Rams play slow. They average only 66.4 possessions per game (259th in the nation). Sure, when they make a steal, they'll try and quickly convert it into points. But if not, they are content to work the ball, milk the clock until Eric Maynor or Jamal Shuler - who take more than half the team's shots - find an opening. This helps wear opponents down. Not only do teams have to work extremely hard on offense to get a good shot against the pressure, they are also forced to guard the Rams for 25-30 seconds at a time as Maynor patiently waits to strike.

Here's UNCW coach Benny Moss keys to the game: "Handling the pressure, not turning it over in the backcourt, get good quality shots in the halfcourt, run your stuff, do a much better job of containing Maynor, keep him out of the paint."

Maynor lived in the paint in the second half of the first game.