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January 18 Sheet

Cincinnati at East Carolina (+5.5) - 4:00pm Pacific
The Pirates were on their way to a breakout season starting 7-0 with three road wins (snapped long road losing streak) and a big home win over Ole Miss. They then suffered a big blow losing starting senior point guard Travis Holcomb-Faye (led team in minutes played) to academic suspension and did not know when or if he would return. In his absence they had inexplicable losses vs George Mason at home and at Coastal Carolina by 19. They did however notch a big home win over Marquette. Holcomb-Faye (3rd in scoring at 9.6ppg, 1st in assists at 5.0apg) has since returned three games ago after missing what ended up being five games. They have lost three straight games since his return but many teams will go 0-3 at Charlotte, vs Louisville, and at DePaul. Holcomb-Faye (made first start since return in last game) says he now has his legs under him again.

The Pirates really upgraded their athleticism this season with the addition of two newcomers. JC transfer Derrick Wiley leads the team in scoring at 14.7pg & freshman Belton Rivers checks it at 8.9ppg. Rivers at one point led the team in scoring but struggled a bit when he had to take over the point guard duties. These two have blended nicely with proven returnees forward Gabriel Mukulas (12.8ppg, 6.5rpg), forward Erroyl Bing (8.9ppg, 8.3rpg), center Moussa Badiane (8.3ppg, 2.8 blocks), and point guard Holcomb-Faye.

Cinci comes in amidst a nice win six game win streak but only two of the six were vs winning teams (UT Chatt, DePaul, both at home) and only two of the six were on the road. This is still a team trying to integrate four new starters and replace two time C-USA player of the year Steve Logan. They have played four true road games this season going 2-2, losing at Dayton & Clemson, and winning at TCU & St Louis. Billikens and Horned Frogs (C-USA opponents) have a combined (12-18, 0-8 C-USA games) record and TCU final score is a bit misleading as they led game deep in 2nd half. This will be a much tougher road test and the Bearcats just do not have enough big shotmakers to keep the crowd out of the game.

Pirates come in with a 10-5 record (1-3 in C-USA). They are a very well coached team and are extremely difficult to beat at home. A Louisville assistant coach said he would rather play a game at North Carolina than to play at ECU. The student section here labeled "Minges Maniacs" even has its own website. I look for ECU to return to its early season form and get one in the win column tonight. Take the points.

East Carolina  1 UNIT

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