The East Carolina basketball team averted a soul-crushing loss Wednesday when it held on to beat Tulsa 69-66 after nearly squandering a double-digit second half lead. Whether the victory ends up being a turning point that catapults the team to a strong finish under interim coach Michael Perry or just a temporary respite from a season that is slowly and painfully setting in … [Read more...]
Insights from BrettPirates get a jump on rebuilding project
Recruiting is an inexact science, a reality that was graphically illustrated on national television during Monday’s college football national championship game. Amid all the former five-star prospects that dotted the rosters of both teams, it was Hunter Renfrow — a former walkon who didn’t receive a single Division I offer out of high school — that scored the game-winning … [Read more...]
Insights from BrettECU faces ‘head-banging’ dilemma
East Carolina athletic director Jeff Compher may or may not be the kind of guy that makes a lot of New Year’s resolutions this time each year. But just in case he is, here’s a suggestion: Be it resolved that 2017 will be the year in which the school’s athletic administration decides exactly how serious it wants to be about having a competitive men’s basketball program. To … [Read more...]
Insights from BrettBiletnikoff Award selection process strains credibility
Donald Trump was right. The election was rigged. No, not that election. I learned a long time ago that it’s not a good idea to discuss politics or religion in a sports column. And I’m not going to start doing it now. The election to which I’m referring is the recent balloting for the Biletnikoff Award. It’s an honor that, according to the Tallahassee Quarterback … [Read more...]
Insights from BrettReal tests lie ahead for Lebo & Co.
This may or may not be a make-or-break season for East Carolina basketball coach Jeff Lebo. That all depends on the commitment athletic director Jeff Compher has for the sport that has always been something of a redheaded stepchild to the Pirates’ football program. Regardless of the level of urgency attached to it — and disregarding Tuesday’s 76-53 loss at Virginia as an … [Read more...]