WILMINGTON- The UNCW men’s basketball team has recovered from its Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalty and will return to the CAA Tournament next season, UNCW Director of Athletics Jimmy Bass said Thursday.
Two days after the league’s annual media day, Bass said the Seahawks have made significant progress from last spring’s postseason ban by the NCAA and look forward to competing for the CAA’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2013-14.
“The academic improvement plan we implemented has worked well and we’re looking forward to competing for the CAA men’s basketball championship again next season,” said Bass. “It’s unfortunate these young men will not be able to play in the CAA Tournament this year, but they have worked hard and the future is bright for our men’s basketball program.”
NCAA officials denied UNCW’s appeal of last spring’s ruling in June. The postseason ban in 2012-13 is the result of APR scores calculated over a four-year period. UNCW’s four-year average from 2007-08 through 2010-11 was 890, below the NCAA-mandated average of 900 in place to avoid penalties. However, the Seahawks have recorded an APR score of 980 in 2011-12, yielding a multi-year rate of 901 and clearing the way for a return to the postseason next year, Bass said.
“We’re very pleased with this outcome,” said third-year Head Coach Buzz Peterson. “Our players have worked very hard to get back on track. It’s a tribute to their hard work and the diligence of our academic support staff and administration as well.”
