Attention, Tim Slavin: You ask. We deliver. Brett Friedlander's column today addresses the topic. — Danny Whitford, Editor

I would like to hear all of you give your opinions on the new AAC tv contract and how it impacts ECU in the long run? Thank you, Tim Slavin

Yes! There were about 10 Pirate fans and 10,000 JMU fans because they were the #1 seed and we were seeded somewhat lower. Nobody gave us a chance against that Lefty Driesell team. After the nets were cut down we happened by a room FULL of food & drink for the winning team, coaches (obviously expecting a huge crowd of JMU people). We cruised right in. Hung out for a couple of hours with the team and coaches. I can remember center Ike Copeland hanging out, eating and drinking with fans, with one of the nets around his neck. Although my favorite ECU sporting event was beating top ten Houston at The Fick for our second conference title this win in basketball was right up there. It was a LOT of fun! I'll be a season ticket holder next year because I think in a couple of years seats at Minges may be hard to get (I hope!).

1993 was a long time ago but myself and a couple of buddies went to Richmond for the CAA Championship game, what a blast it was and living here in Winston-Salem, it was great to see the Bucs face-off against UNC. Lester Lyons had 27 points on 11 shots from the field that night against the Heels. We'll get back there more sooner than later. Good points though out your article. Go Pirates!

I couldn't agree more! I also liked your emphasis on the word PHYSICAL after the way his JMU team (and others) completely pushed us all over the field.

So happy to see Houston and his staff take the wheel. The video of him walking through the football facility was refreshing. Can't wait to see the overhaul there. But, more importantly, I've heard now several times these men use the words that I missed for the past several years. Blocking, Tackling, Effort, Discipline, Intensity, PHYSICAL, the things that are football. Yeah, it's not rocket science, it's a game of emotion and effort - blocking and tackling! Doing those things over and over produce great results. John Madden type coaching. It's proven, it works, it's football!

Hey, Moon, Thanks. Send info to [email protected]

Al, good article as always- WHS '79, need to share upcoming Pam Pack reunion info with you

Again,., UConn was a Power 5 program when the Big East was the old Big East

"Gonzaga and Butler are non-Power 5 in name alone and are perennially ranked among the nation’s top 25". That is what ECU needs to strive for, and anything else is a defeatist attitude.

The UCONN men have won 4 national titles (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014) in the last 20 years and have been one of the top programs in the country during that period. Gonzaga played for the title two years ago...so thinking non-power 5 teams cannot reach the top of the heap is just not true.

So you're saying that ECU is in that same category? UConn was a member of the Big East when it won its national titles. Memphis cheated to get Derek Rose in its Final Four year and both Gonzaga and Butler are non-Power 5 in name alone and are perennially ranked among the nation's top 25. For schools like Loyola-Chicago, VCU and George Mason (and yes, ECU), the odds of catching lightning in a bottole and getting to the F4 are still astronomical.

I disagree that non power 5 schools cannot reach the final four in college basketball. There are many examples of teams like Butler, Gonzaga, Memphis, UConn, and Loyola-Chicago making the final four. Also I think the AAC can eventually become apart of the mix in college football if it keeps competing at a high level. Remember there is a big tv contract being renegotiated right now between the AAC and ESPN.

I know about red shirts and gray shirts but what is a "blue shirt"?

Sammy, great snapshop of current squad at offense and potential signings. Good job!!