Tyler Heffernan | Sea Devil Sports Journalist

Usually when a team with high expectations starts a season and loses six games out of its first 10, goals are adjusted. But, not many teams challenge themselves with three games against national top-15 opponents, including a 2,500-mile trip to play the defending national champions.

The Cape Fear Community College men's basketball team has reason to be optimistic. There are 20 games remaining, and the Sea Devils' starting center Jairus King continues his recovery from a forearm injury.

"Going into the year, if you were to say we're 4-6, I'd say you're crazy," head coach Ryan Mantlo said. "But going into it, I knew the most important thing to come out of it is that we learn each other. It's certainly not where we want to be, but it's somewhere where we can get out of. "The goals and the vision of this team have not changed at all."

CFCC must improve its defense, as the Sea Devils are allowing an average of 78.4 points per game. In order to reduce that number, it will take efforts on both sides of the ball. Smarter decisions on offense can stop opponents from having easy fast-break opportunities. "We give up so many points off turnovers and off bad shots, and if we cut those in half, then we're going to be at that 65 (points per game) where we aim," Mantlo said.

CFCC has three games in five days in Raleigh before taking a much-needed break for the holidays. The Sea Devils returned from Twin Falls, Idaho after playing Western Nebraska Community College and the College of Southern Idaho—a program that has six NJCAA national championship appearances and three titles, including last season's crown.

For some players, it was their first time on a plane. Faronte Drakeford, the team leader in rebounds (6.7 rpg), found the experience exciting and a little nerve-wracking. "I was anxious. I ain't gonna lie, I was scared at first," the 6-foot-7-inch forward said. "After that first flight to Atlanta and we landed, the second flight wasn't so bad."

Despite falling short in both contests, the Sea Devils gained an understanding for the setting of the national championships in Hutchinson, Kan. "Getting on the plane, traveling long hours and stepping off the plane with that high caliber of competition, it just mimics what the national tournament is all about," Mantlo said.

The former Liberty University standout can relate to what his players felt like during that trip. "It's exciting. I can remember when I was playing and the first trip we took at Liberty," he said. "Traveling in a bus and then going to an airport as a team and seeing everybody stare at you, I think it's a cool feeling…I don't think it's something these guys will ever forget."

What happened in November won't be remembered at the end of the season. December, January and February will all be distant memories too. It's what happens in March—the Region 10 tournament and the NJCAA National Tournament—that will be remembered. "I still believe this team can win a national title," Mantlo said without hesitation. "I think it's built for March."