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November 22 Sheet

East Carolina (+3) at MTSU - 5:00pm Pacific
Pirates did not embarrass themselves at all in their first season as a member of Conference USA. They notched 5 conference wins including a victory over then #9 Marquette as part of a 4-3 stretch to end the season.

ECU could have had an even better year if not for two early season suspensions to key players. Junior Gabriel Mikulas had to sit out the first 13 games of the season after being penalized by the NCAA for games played overseas. This really threw off his game as well as the teams chemistry even when he did return. Mikulas finished the season second on the team in just about every category: scoring (11.8ppg), rebounding (6.1rpg), blocks, and assists. He led the team in free throw shooting percentage. Clearly an important member of the team. Meanwhile, French import Moussa Badiane, a 6-10 shotblocking machine, was suspended the first 5 games. Badiane came on to rank in the top five nationally in blocked shots at 3.7 per game.

These two are back and ready to play from start to finish this year. They are joined by junior forward Erroyl Bing (12.6ppg, 8.7rpg last year) giving them 3 returning starters in a strong frontcourt that is competitive with if not better than most C-USA teams.

Senior point guard Travis Holcomb-Faye is back as a starter and is on track to break the school's all time assist record. One of ECU's weaknesses last year was inconsistent scoring from the backcourt. They brought in two newcomers to help fill the void. JC transfer Derrick Wiley, an athletic 6-4 shooting guard started both exhibition games. He averaged 12.5 points per game, while taking more shots and playing more minutes than anyone else on the team. Word is the guy can really play. Freshman guard Belton Rivers also comes with a reputation as a scorer. He has played so well that head coach Bill Herrion is considering starting him in a 3 guard lineup that would move Gabe Mikulas to a 6th man role. All indications are that the shooting guard position has been upgraded.

MTSU comes in sporting a new head coach in Kermit Davis (last was an assistant at LSU). He was the school's second choice after Colorado coach Ricardo Patton had a last minute change of heart. Davis has not had a very productive preseason trying to implement his style of play. Both starting forward William Pippen and key reserve guard John Humphrey have missed significant practice time. Projected starting center Napoleon Rhodes has not practiced at all and his play is expected to be limited to 15 to 18 minutes. Athletic reserve guard Derek Glasper (severe ankle sprain) will miss 2-3 weeks. Coach Davis quote: "I'm not trying to harp on the injuries, but for a first-year program, its really hurt us. We've just got to hold this team together and, hopefully, we'll be playing our best basketball at the end of February and the first of March."

East Carolina won last years meeting between these two teams 81-71 in Greenville. The game was played before Gabe Mikulas became eligible. Pirates led by double digits almost the entire second half in a comfortable win. ECU won 5 C-USA games last year, MTSU won just 6 in the much inferior Sun Belt. ECU returns their top four starters from last year, MTSU returns four as well but lost their best player, leading scorer & rebounder, Lee Nosse. The Blue Raiders are expected to start three JC transfers tonight, all of who will be making their Division 1 debuts. Friday night high school football is expected to take away attendance making it less of a home court advantage for MTSU.

ECU has a 17 game road losing streak that they are very eager to end. With four starters back and a senior point guard they should be a much better road team this year. They did go 2-1 in neutral court games and had two road losses by 3 points or less last season. Pirates coach Bill Herrion quote: "We've got to do two things early this year. We've got to win non-conference games and we have to have the ability to go on the road and win." Pirates leading scorer and rebounder, Erroyl Bing quote: "Our goal is postseason play -- To do that we've got to be able to win on the road." Pirates get the road monkey off their back tonight.

East Carolina  1 UNIT

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