5 Mid-Major Players That Must Play In NCAA Tournament

Devontae Cacok, UNC-Wilmington

UNC-Wilmington is 20-2, 9-0 in the Colonial Athletic Conference, and has started receiving votes to be ranked. Plus, UNC-Wilmington is 31st in RPI and 49th in BPI, according to ESPN, so there is a good chance the Seahawks make the NCAA Tournament even without winning their conference.

Either way, Devontae Cacok is the best kept secret in college basketball. After only playing 9.1 minutes per game as a freshman in 2015-16, Cacok is averaging a double-double this year with 12.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 80.3 percent from the field. Plus, he averages 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest.

Cacok is one four players in the nation to average a double-double with at least one steal and block per game this season.

At 6’7″ and 210 pounds, Cacok is a perfect example of a power forward overlooked in the recruiting process because of his size. Still, he’s used his athleticism and post game to become one of the best players in the nation.

In fact, in conference play, Cacok is averaging an insane 12.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He’s a stat stuffer but also has the leaping ability to throw down huge dunks, which are always big highlights in the Tournament.

With how good UNC-Wilmington is, Devontae Cacok could be in line for a breakout Tournament if the Seahawks can string together a couple of wins.

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Along with how good they are, UNC-Wilmington will be able to build on last year’s 93-85 loss to Duke in the first round — Cacok only played seven minutes and fouled out.