East Carolina Basketball Preview: Pirates to set sail at home against Saints

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Last season, East Carolina defeated Limestone, 80-54, when current Pirate assistant coach Larry Epperly was at the helm of the Saints’ program.

Returning senior point guard Darrell Jenkins led the Pirates with his double-double effort—17 points and 10 assists—in that match-up. Returners John Fields and Gabe Blair also reached double figures, as they scored 13 and 10 points, respectively. Fields also swatted seven shots in the contest.

After Epperly departed for Greenville, his assistant Brandon Scott was given the keys to the Limestone program in early October. Scott, who played for the Saints from 1995-99, spent eight years in high school coaching—primarily in Florida—before returning to his alma mater prior to last season.

Scott takes over a program that returns two starters and eight lettermen from last year’s 20-9 club.

The Saints, who lost an 86-81 overtime decision to Kazakhstan in an exhibition game on November 1, are led by a couple of sharp shooting veteran guards in senior Marques Williams (5-10, 160) and junior Andre Coleman (6-4, 170). Williams scored 22 points in the exhibition loss and reached double figures in scoring 13 times a season ago. He shot 85 percent from the charity stripe, 44 from behind the arc and was second on the squad with 56 assists. Coleman, who also ranked in the top 30 of Division II three-point shooters with his 43.6 mark, scored in double figures in 16 games—including a game versus Coker that featured him connecting on all eight of his attempts from three-point range. He finished with 14 points and six boards in the exhibition game.

On the interior, Limestone lacks size and East Carolina should be able to exploit that. The Saints do return seniors F/C John Prioleau (6-3, 205) and F Kenny White (6-3, 222). Prioleau led the team in offensive rebounds (56) and blocks (18) last year. White, who scored in double figures four times in ‘06-’07, had 13 points in the loss to Kazakhstan. Significant contributions down low should also be received from junior college transfer Roderick Wilson (6-6, 190). Wilson averaged 10.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks last year at Wallace Community College in Jacksonville, FL. He posted 10 points, eight boards and two blocked shots in his first action as a Saint.

As for the Pirates, the game should feature six players—Chad Wynn, James Legan, Jontae Sherrod, Jamar Abrams, DaQuan Joyner and Brock Young—receiving their first playing time in an East Carolina uniform. Sam Hinnant, who missed the final half of last season with an injury, will also be making his return.

Keys to Victory for ECU

1. SLAM SAINTS EARLY - You always want to get off to a strong start, but particularly when you’re facing an opponent that you should beat. East Carolina needs to slam the Saints to the mat early and extinguish any hope of an upset.
2. DOMINATE DOWN LOW - The Pirates have a distinct size advantage on the interior, as should be the case against a Division II opponent. Wynn, Fields, Blair and company should have a field day in this one.
3. DEFEND THE ARC - The three-point shot is often an equalizer. Limestone features two of the nation’s top three-point threats from a season ago in Williams and Coleman. East Carolina must prevent this duo from getting hot from behind the arc.
   

Final ECU Prediction & Analysis

East Carolina will win this one going away. The Saints could keep it close for awhile if they are hot from long range, but the Pirates will have far too much size and depth for lower division Limestone. Expect every ECU player that dresses to see playing time.

East Carolina 92 - Limestone 60