GETTING INSIDE

   Pirates coach Mack McCarthy knows he has a young team going into this third season at the helm. Building chemistry within the locker room could go a long way to finding success on the court for a team that figures to be overmatched against many of the top programs in Conference USA.

   “Chemistry is an elusive and volatile factor in every team,” McCarthy said on his blog. “Basically, if the goal of team success is common to the group you will have good chemistry. Unselfishness and work ethic are the backbone of teams with good chemistry.

   “This is exactly why we are constantly preaching, ‘play hard and play together.’ For such a young and inexperienced team like we have this year, these traits would facilitate our goal of improving over the course of the season.”

   The strength of the team figures to be the inside. Chad Wynn and Darrius Morrow started a combined 35 games last season. DaQuan Joyner is back after missing the last 25 games of last season. McCarthy said each of those frontcourt players has returned bigger, stronger and improved.

   Jamar Abrams is the team’s most consistent outside threat. He should get help from returnees Brock Young, Jontae Sherrod and Chris Turner, plus freshmen Erin Straughn and Wakefield Ellison.

   “We still have to deal with a young team, but we have enough returnees to have increased expectations,” McCarthy said on his blog. “That’s new. We don’t have the proven shooters of the past, so even with more offensive weapons this is a new challenge for us.

   “I’m not sure we have an identity yet with this group. We are trying hard to be mentally and physically tougher and a better defensive team. We certainly have a more cerebral group and I think this will pay dividends as we continue to build this program.” 

NOTES, QUOTES

 

  —Junior G/F Jamar Abrams was the only player in C-USA to rank among both the league leaders in scoring (11.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) during conference play last year, but not among the overall C-USA leaders.  

  —Junior G Brock Young will look to lead C-USA in assists for the second straight season. He averaged 7.6 assists per game a year ago and ranked second in the nation that category. 

  —Underclassmen dominated the roster. The Pirates currently have no scholarship seniors. On the flip side, nine on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores.   

Last Year:   13-17 overall, 5-11 in C-USA.   

Head Coach:   Mack McCarthy (career 333-218); Third year at East Carolina (24-36).  

  QUOTE TO NOTE: “Opening the season with seven of eight games away from the friendly confines of Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum will be difficult, but will help prepare us for the rigors of conference play. Conference USA continues to improve every year.”—Coach Mack McCarthy on the start of the season.   

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

  

Scouting The Newcomers:   Four freshman—Corvonn Gaines, Darius Morales, Wakefield Ellison and Erin Straughn—are among the five newcomers in the program. The 6-foot-4 Gaines, the younger brother of former Louisville All-America selection and first-round NBA draft pick Reece Gaines, is billed by McCarthy as a “long multi-position athlete who can play anywhere on the perimeter.” Morales (6- 9, 210) is “a long, athletic shot blocker who has a tremendous upside,” according to McCarthy.   

Key Early-season Games:   ECU meets NCAA Tournament entry Tennessee in the first round of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Nov. 20. A second-round date against Northern Iowa or DePaul follows. Clemson visits ECU on Dec. 16 with George Washington also coming Dec. 22. Two games are slated for Greensboro Coliseum—Wake Forest on Nov. 15 and UNC Greensboro on Nov. 28.    PROGRAM DIRECTION: Nine letter winners return, including three starters. McCarthy in his third season steering the Pirates’ ship, and ECU has increased its win total and place in the C-USA standings each year under McCarthy.   

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Brock Young, SG Jamar Abrams, C Chad Wynn, SF DaQuan Joyner, PF Darrius Morrow.   

Roster Report:    

• Sophomore F DaQuan Joyner was granted a medical hardship after missing the final 25 games of last season with an injury. He averaged 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in five games played in 2008-09.  

• Freshman G Corvonn Gaines is the brother of former Louisville All-America Reece Gaines.  

• Junior C Chad Wynn is recovering from a foot injury. He isn’t expected to miss any practice time.