Pick me out a limb and I'll step right on it. That would be the most
appropriate position for my next bold prediction.
This time next year, expect East Carolina to hit its stride in full
pursuit of a postseason berth. Even after the Conference USA tournament,
look for the Pirates to receive a bid — NCAA or NIT — that will extend their
season past the second week of March.
No doubt a gutsy call given ECU's
current residence in the conference cellar.
But at the same time, plenty of evidence suggests the Pirates will make a
significant climb up the league standings next year.
Much of my logic is married to the Pirates' last three performances,
consecutive losses to Charlotte, Memphis, and UAB by a combined 15 points.
Though not wins, ECU traded blows with a trio of NCAA tournament locks and
was in excellent position to pull the upset in all three games.
By far, it was the best stretch of basketball the Pirates have played in
C-USA.
"We're putting ourselves in much (better) position to win games this year
than we ever have since we've been in this league," Pirates coach Bill
Herrion said last week. "I don't know what my bosses are thinking, but to me
that's progress.
"We're not there yet. Don't take this the wrong way, but we're not
getting the same players that (Calipari) is getting."
But the gap is closing.
Unlike the past two seasons, East Carolina isn't losing games by
embarrassing margins. The number of match-up problems that previously
existed for the Pirates in league games has decreased significantly.
Matter of fact, Herrion has upgraded recruiting to the point that ECU now
has the advantage at times at a couple of positions, regardless of the
opponent.
In freshman guard Mike Cook, the Pirates have an ulcer-in-the-making for
rival coaches. With the strength of a power forward and finesse of a point
guard, Cook is a one-of-a-kind specimen in a talent-rich league.
Combine that with his commitment to play within the flow of the game and
overall court savvy, and the sky is the limit for ECU's brawny diaper dandy.
The steady improvement of center Moussa Badiane over the past few weeks
is another sign of changing tides. Despite little help in the low post, the
rangy rejecter has managed to avoid foul trouble for much of the second half
of the season, providing the Pirates with an intimidating presence at both
ends of the floor.
With a triumvirate of impressive frontcourt horses — Keith Foster, Mike
Castro, and Charles Bronson — set to join the Pirates next season, Badiane
will be given the green light to play with more aggression, as his foul
status will become less of an issue with a deeper bench.
No doubt, there will be losses for which ECU must compensate in order to
make a postseason run. Though Derrick Wiley has a tendency to launch his
share of ill-advised shots, he has been the Bucs' most consistent scoring
threat the past two seasons. And while Erroyl Bing is turnover prone and
inconsistent with his shot, his hustle and fierce attack on the boards is
unmatched.
That goes without mentioning several key areas in which the Pirates'
returnees must improve.
Freshman Japhet McNeil must get stronger during the off-season and
re-establish himself at the point. That would enable Cook to slide over to
his more natural position, and with Frank Robinson or Belton Rivers also in
the game, creates a dangerous three-guard look.
A consistent three-point shooter also is needed for East Carolina to
become a legitimate late-season threat. Given Rivers' streaky nature,
Robinson is the more obvious candidate, but he must become more assertive on
offense.
Additional help from the recruiting trail would provide much needed
insurance, not to mention a crucial piece of the points-when-needed puzzle
that has been missing for the past three years.
If Herrion can answer a few of those lingering questions, the Pirates
could explode next season and be the surprise of C-USA.
Based on his knack for molding a team around its strengths, the
prediction here is that he will.
Calipari shows support
Mike Krzyzewski isn't shy about defending fellow brothers in the coaching
fraternity. Just last week, the legendary Duke coach caused quite a stir
when he spoke angrily and openly in support of N.C. State coach Herb Sendek,
a perennial sniper target of a clique of out-of-touch-with-reality fans.
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AUDIO ARCHIVE:
Denny O'Brien captured the remarks of Memphis
coach John Calipari after last week's
ECU-Memphis game:
Select clip... |
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Well, it appears Coach K isn't alone. Following East Carolina's 79-73
loss to C-USA juggernaut Memphis, Tigers coach John Calipari pulled no
punches in voicing his support for Herrion.
"This team is so much better than last year," Calipari said. "You can
just see where they are going.
"Athletically, the toughness of their team. Now they've got to have a
breakthrough win. I will tell you this. If they just played us and Charlotte
the way they played us two, you watch what happens as they finish out. You
watch. I don't know their schedule, but I would be stunned if they don't hit
.500 the rest of these games going out. Come on, we're a pretty good team.
They took it right at us."
Not that he was surprised.
In fact, Calipari said he fully expected a fight to the finish from the
underdog Pirates.
"I was scared to death," Calipari said. "One, we've never played in this
building, and I know everybody has trouble here. Two, my team is coming off
some emotional games, and I knew this would be about intensity and desire.
"They are very physical. They hurt us inside. They must have blocked 12
shots. Those things change the complexion of the game. I was just hoping
they wouldn't make shots."
The Pirates didn't make the shots they needed against the Tigers, but
that didn't change Calipari's impression of the team.
"If that's how they're playing, they're winning games in this league,"
Calipari said. "I know they've lost right now, but I watched the Charlotte
game. Were you all here? How they lost... that was their game. This game
here, they easily could have won.
"...All this team has to do is keep playing winning basketball and you
watch what happens. They're going to get a break. I'm not saying anything
about anything else, though. No. You're not going to get me to say it. I'm
not saying it."
You already did, coach.