East Carolina Ready To Embark On New Campaign
October 11, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Expectations will be much higher when coach Bill Herrion's fifth ECU basketball team gathers for its initial full squad practice of the season Saturday afternoon.
"I think expectations are going to be higher and if we're doing the right things in this program, then they should get higher," said Herrion. "I'm extremely pleased with were we are right now. We've finally turned the corner as far as our kids understanding the true value of competition, commitment to the game and hard work. I think we are noticeably a lot stronger and more physically advanced than last year."
The Pirates return seven lettermen and four starters from a year ago, led by senior point guard Travis Holcomb-Faye, giving ECU its first team of exclusively recruited Herrion players. Junior forwards Erroyl Bing and Gabriel Mikulas return along the frontline along with sophomore center Moussa Badiane.
ECU also hopes to benefit from the return of guards Jonathan Moore and Devin Boddie, along with three junior college transfers: Garth Grindley, Luke MacKay and Derrick Wiley. MacKay and Wiley each helped their team into the National Junior College Tournament last season. Add to that a pair of freshman and the Pirates may have the pieces in place to exceed last place predictions once again.
"I think we have enough veterans back that have been through the wars here the last couple of years and a group of kids that are really excited about starting practice and getting going with the season."
