East Carolina opens the 2025-26 basketball season against Georgia Southern in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ESPN+). The Pirates are coming off a 19-14 season, but lost primary scorers R.J. Felton, who averaged 18.8 points, and C.J. Walker (16.7). Jordan Riley (14.5) is the top returning scorer for ECU. Pirates coach Mike Schwartz put a premium … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTHoops just around the corner
East Carolina was picked 10th among 13 teams in the American Conference preseason coaches' poll. It's not where you start, of course, but where you finish up and there is reason to believe the Pirates could finish higher. ECU was 10-8 in league play in 2024-25 and tied for fifth in the standings with Florida Atlantic. The primary losses are R.J. Felton and C.J. Hunter, who … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTWill bigger be better for 2025-26 hoops?
East Carolina went 19-14 overall last year for its first winning season since 2014. The Pirates were 10-8 in the American Conference for their best record since joining the league in 2014-15 although former conference powers Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston have moved to the Big 12. Still, last season was an accomplishment, but it was last season, and ECU will be … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates embark on post-House settlement era
Revenue sharing with athletes in selected sports and the removal of scholarship limits are elements of a new era at East Carolina as the Pirates look to stay current with the realities of the House settlement. Athletic director Jon Gilbert has seen the changes coming and ECU has been involved in preparations for months. Institutions may share up to $20.5 million with … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates in midst of another hoops rebuild
Athletic director Jon Gilbert recently expressed his confidence in basketball coach Mike Schwartz with a 1-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season. The move followed East Carolina's first winning season since 2012-13 when the Pirates were 23-12 and won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. ECU went 19-14 in 2024-25 after losing a core of talent that included … [Read more...]