Pirates look to get back on track in CUSA opener against Green Wave

Tulane holds a 7-1 lead in the all-time series with East Carolina

Following a fast 8-1 start, the East Carolina men’s basketball team has found the going much tougher in recent weeks as its level of competition has increased. However, it is hoping that its current skid—which features three losses against ACC foes—has prepared it for the rigors of Conference USA play, which begins tonight when Tulane visits Williams Arena-Minges Coliseum for a 7 p.m. tip.

The Pirates suffered their fourth straight loss on Saturday at Clemson, but head coach Mack McCarthy was encouraged with the way his undermanned club played against the 16 th ranked and undefeated Tigers on their homecourt. Despite the defeat, ECU put forth a more consistent 40-minute effort and its second-year coach knows that’s a necessity for it to be successful—particularly given its lack of size and depth. Look no further than the Pirates’ 63-55 loss at Coastal Carolina to see what will almost assuredly occur if the Pirates don’t deliver such an effort.

After shooting less than 40 percent in its previous three contests, ECU (8-5) shot the ball better against Clemson—particularly from three-point range. The Pirates knocked down 41.7 percent of their attempts from deep—finishing the contest 10-of-24 from behind the arc.

ECU scored 93 points or more four times during their 8-1 start, but it has failed to top 55 points twice during its four-game tailspin. That decrease in scoring production has been partially because of the struggles of its senior backcourt of Sam Hinnant and James Legan. The Pirates have been heavily dependent on the duo, which has taken nearly 40 percent of the team’s shots and led the club in scoring in 10 of its 13 games. Hinnant has failed to reach double figures in the last three games while Legan had scored seven points or less in three straight contests prior to his 21-point effort against Clemson. The sharpshooter sunk five-of-ten three-pointers versus the Tigers.

Hinnant, the team’s only fourth year player, plays a team-high 35.5 minutes each time out and the Pirates’ McCarthy feels that his shooting slump is probably a derivative of that. He is only shooting 35 percent from the floor—including a disappointing 30 from deep. However, he still leads the team with 15.5 points per game.

“He plays a lot of minutes and we may just have to give him a little more rest,” McCarthy stated.

Increased production from sophomore Jontae Sherrod and freshman Chris Turner could allow McCarthy the liberty to find more time to rest his senior. Sherrod has hit 12-of-26 three-point attempts while playing just under 14 minutes per game.

Point guard Brock Young continues to have a stellar sophomore campaign. The Pirates’ point guard posted his fourth double-double via the points-assists route when he tallied 11 points and ten assists versus Clemson—becoming the first player in ECU history to do so in a single season.

Another bright spot against the Tigers was the play of sophomore center Chad Wynn, who was a hoop shy of double-double. The Pirates 6’10” big man finished with eight points and 12 rebounds. His effort on the glass was a much-needed improvement, as it was only his second double-digit rebounding game of the year.

ECU will face a Tulane team that has also found the going tough of late. The Green Wave started 4-2, but currently sits at 6-7 after dropping five of seven.

Dave Dickerson’s club suffered a 78-53 setback the last time out at Auburn. It trailed only 48-43 with just over 15 minutes remaining, but the Tigers outscored Tulane 30-10 from that point on. The Green Wave’s fourth-year coach was proud of his team’s effort, but its shooting woes were just too severe to overcome.

Those offensive troubles have been more the norm than the exception. Tulane averages 64.8 points and shoots slightly above a 40 percent clip on the season.

Junior point guard Kevin Sims is the only Green Wave player averaging in double figures with 12.2 points per contest. Sims, who stands 5’11”, has made a team-high 22 three’s and also tops the team with nearly four assists.

Starting shooting guard Kris Richard (6’5, 180) is third on the team in scoring (9 ppg), but he’s only converted 34.9 percent of his team-high 126 shot attempts. Richard ranks first on the team with 23 steals.

On the interior, Tulane isn’t extremely tall, but it possesses some bulk and experience.

Robinson Louisme, the team’s 6’7”, 248-pound senior center, averages 9.5 points and a team-high 6.8 boards. He has also swatted a team-high 21 shots.

Against Auburn, the Green Wave was led in scoring by junior forward Asim McQueen (6’7”, 240). McQueen, who has become more assertive offensively in recent games, averages 8.2 points and 5.4 boards. Fellow forward Daniel Puckett, a 6’7, 215-pound senior, has produced 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds while starting all 13 games.

Eric Vianney and Johnny Mayhane are the top two options off the bench in the backcourt. Vianney has made 13 trifectas—second most on the team—while also dishing out the third most assists (20).

David Booker (6’7”, 235), a sophomore, has been the primary bench option along the frontline.

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Final ECU v Tulane Analysis and Prediction

Both East Carolina and Tulane have fallen on tough times in recent weeks. The Pirates have lost four straight while the Green Wave has fallen in five of their last seven.

After disappointing conclusions to their non-conference seasons, each club will attempt to open league play on a high note and gain some much-needed momentum.

This match-up features a contrast of styles. East Carolina prefers a more up-tempo, high-scoring game while Tulane tends to grind it out. The Pirates average 76.5 points while Tulane only surrenders 64.2. Conversely, the Pirates have allowed 85 points or more four times.

ECU will need to receive significant scoring production from either Legan or Hinnant while keeping the poor shooting Green Wave on the perimeter offensively.

Expect the Pirates, who are 6-2 at home, to produce a winning effort after suffering the worst loss ever at Minges Coliseum in its last contest there versus No. 6 Wake Forest.

ECU shoots it better and will have a little too much offense for the Green Wave.

East Carolina 73 - Tulane 65