DENNY O'BRIEN | ECU hoops on cusp of changing course [bk-040113]

That�s because of the mistaken perception of the CIT as a collection of basketball castoffs mercilessly extending their season. In actuality, it�s a young tournament filled with quality teams, most of which possess the capability to knock off many of those that made the Field of 68.

For a program like East Carolina with an underwhelming hoops history, winning it would represent a milestone on multiple levels:

� It would net something tangible to hang in the sparsely-populated rafters of Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

� It would cure the malaise within a long-suffering program that has struggled for attention and respect in a state with a pair of hardwood heavyweights.

� It would mark a crossroads that, down the road, we can all potentially refer to as the point where the corner was turned in ECU�s basketball history.

For years, I�ve often pondered the source of the Pirates� basketball plight. Is it as simple as the school's and fans� football first mentality? Is it the overall lack of funding and commitment to basketball?

Or is it the unfortunate location in a state where Duke and North Carolina command so much of the national spotlight and N.C. State and Wake Forest fight for leftover attention?

The truth likely lies within a combination of the three. But now East Carolina has the opportunity to right its basketball course, regardless of the result Tuesday night.

Some of the underpinnings of a brighter hoops future are already being put into place.

The construction of a new basketball practice facility was a necessary step to demonstrate commitment. No program with a fighting chance should have to compete with other sports for practice time.

If Saturday�s attendance numbers are an indication, another key element of the foundation could be showing signs that it has been sturdily reinforced. The past has shown that Minges Coliseum can be a significant talent equalizer when traditional national powers come to town.

That was certainly the case for Dwyane Wade and Tom Crean when they were in the national Top 10 at Marquette. Ditto for Rick Pitino early in his Louisville tenure and for N.C. State not too many years ago.

Several other top programs barely escaped less talented ECU teams that were propelled by a vocal sixth man.

If East Carolina can replicate that same atmosphere on a nightly basis, it could go a long way towards elevating the program.

It won�t be easy.

With the Pirates set to join the soon-to-be-renamed Big East in the summer of 2014, the competitive bar will be raised. Adding Cincinnati, Connecticut and Temple to Memphis will create an in-conference gauntlet nearly as challenging as when ECU first joined Conference USA.

Better talent and a stronger all-around commitment will be paramount to the Pirates� long-term success. ECU coach Jeff Lebo will need a bigger recruiting budget and the administration�s okay to take a few calculated recruiting risks � in terms of academics, international players or additional transfers � to compete.

For much of East Carolina�s athletics existence, its hoops program has largely been a punch line. After 22 wins, a top four finish in a respectable league, and a postseason championship on the line tomorrow night, we could be in the middle of a major shift.

Win or lose, East Carolina basketball has commanded some respect this season. Considering its history, that is a huge step in the right direction.