ESPN Men's Basketball

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(Information in this team report is as of October 1.)

The adjectives historically used to describe UNC Wilmington basketball are changing this season. Gritty and efficient are being replaced by run and shoot, at least on the offensive end of the floor.

It's not that new coach Benny Moss, who spent the last six seasons as an assistant at Charlotte, is going to abandon the defensive prowess and precision offense that has vaulted UNCW to the top of the CAA -- the Seahawks have four championships in the last seven seasons -- he's just instituting a change in emphasis.

"The personnel is here to play an up-tempo brand of basketball," Moss said. "T.J. Carter has improved his skills, John David Gardner excels in that type of game and Temi Soyebo is a good athlete who will be better in that style. Todd Hendley and Dejan Grkovic are big, strong athletes who are mobile."

Still, Moss knows he cannot completely abandon a successful formula. UNCW limited opponents last season to 59.8 points per game, holding four teams below the 50-point mark in last year's CAA championship season.

"The defensive foundation is in place from the previous staff," Moss said. "The main difference will be terminology. The players have to get to know my language."

While the unceremonious departure of highly successful coach Brad Brownell to Wright State will undoubtedly be on the minds and tongues of UNCW faithful, the future remains bright on Wrightsville Beach.

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