Basketball Gameday: vs. James Madison
December 12, 2014 | Men's Basketball
 vs.  |
| East Carolina vs. James Madison Dec. 13, 2014 | 5 p.m. EST Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum | Greenville, N.C.. |
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THE ESSENTIALS
? East Carolina will look to snap a two-game losing streak Saturday when it host former CAA rival James Madison at 5 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. It's the Pirates' first home game in 14 days.
? ECU is coming off a 108-64 loss to No. 12 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Sunday. JMU enters the game on the heels of a 51-46 victory at home over Richmond.
? The Pirates have a 3-1 record at home this season, while James Madison will be playing just its second road game of the year Saturday. The Dukes lost their only previous road game at Ohio State, 73-56.
? James Madison represents the first of two consecutive games against CAA opponents. The Pirates will take on UNCW on Dec. 20.
? The Pirates will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Dukes. ECU's last win over James Madison was Jan. 7, 1998 in Harrisonburg, 90-60.
Operation Santa Claus
? The Salvation Army along with Operation Santa Claus will be collecting toys outside the Smith-Williams Entrance as well as Gate 2 and Gate 3.
?Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to the game. The toys will be given to children that have been selected by The Salvation Army.
What To Watch For
? East Carolina has had four different players lead them in scoring each of the last four games (B.J. Tyson, Michel Nzege, Caleb White, Terry Whisnant).
? B.J. Tyson has scored more than 37 percent of his points at the free throw line this season with 53 made foul shots. He ranks eighth among all Division I players in free throws made.
? Caleb White is already ahead of his scoring pace from a year ago. As freshman he netted 113 points in the first 10 games and has scored 126 points through nine games this season.
? B.J. Tyson is only player to have scored double figures in all four home games this season, while Nzege, Lance Tejada, Whisnant and White each scored double digits in three of the four contests.
? ECU is undefeated when leading at halftime this season (4-0), but is winless when trailing after the first 20 minutes of play (0-5).
?Since going 12-of-25 at the free throw line against Virginia-Lynchburg, ECU is shooting nearly 73 percent (.729) at the charity stripe, making 86 of its 118 attempts the last six games.
? B.J. Tyson and Caleb White are the third-highest scoring tandem in The American this season. The duo has averaged 29.7 points per game through the first nine games, ranking behind UConn's duo of Ryan Boatwright and Daniel Hamilton (30.7 ppg) and USF's Corey Allen and Chris Perry (29.7).
? The Pirates' seven newcomers have accounted for more than 63 percent of their points (413 of 651) this season. Freshman B.J. Tyson and junior Terry Whisnant have each scored over 100 points through the first nine games.
? Since the 2010-11 campaign, East Carolina has compiled a 34-7 non-conference record inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. The Pirates are 3-1 at home this season with wins over N.C. Wesleyan, Virginia-Lynchburg and Central Connecticut.
? More than 79 percent of the Pirates' field goals have come inside the arc (178 of 225). A year ago, only 64 percent of its makes inside arc (520 of 809), while more than 35 percent of its made field shots came from 3-point land (289 of 809).
?Terry Whisnant (17) and Caleb White (16) have accounted for 33 of the Pirates' 47 made 3-pointers this season. Both rank among the top 11 in the league in 3s per game. Freshmen Lance Tejada (8) and B.J. Tyson (4) have combined to make 12 of the remaining 14 3s.
?Freshman B.J. Tyson ranks second in the conference and eighth nationally in free throws attempted with 64. Will Cummings of Temple leads The American with 69 free throw attempts. Lance Tejada (36)and Caleb White (28), who rank second and third on the team in foul shots, have combined for 64 free attempts.
Scouting James Madison
? James Madison is on the road for the second time in four games after opening the year with four consecutive home games an a pair of neutral site contests. The Dukes are 6-2 this year with both their losses coming to ranked foes, No. 9 Virginia and No. 16 Ohio State.
? JMU has three players averaging double figures led by Jackson Kent and Andre Nation at 12.0 ppg. Yohanny Dalembert is averaging 10.9 ppg.
? The Dukes have scored and have allowed the exact same number of points this season, 533. JMU and its opponents are each averaging approximately 66 ppg.
? James Madison has yet to surrender more than 79 points in a game this season, but has allowed between 71-79 points five times. The Dukes were held under 60 in each of their tow losses.
? The Dukes average a mere 14.8 fouls per game, whistled for just 118 fouls through eight games.
? James Madison has seven players on its roster listed at 6-foot-7 or taller.
Series History
? East Carolina is 11-33 all-time against James Madison. As charter members of the CAA, the two met twice each season from 1986-2001.
? The first meeting between ECU and James Madison nearly 45 years to the day that the 45 matchup will take place. The Pirates posted a 61-58 win in Greenville on Dec. 15, 1979.
? East Carolina defeated James Madison to win its lone CAA Championship in 1993 with a 54-49 win in the tournament's title game.
? The Pirates are only 7-14 against the Dukes all-time in Greenville.
? Saturday's game marks the first matchup between coaches Jeff Lebo and Matt Brady. It's also the first meeting between each school's coach and his opponent.
Connections
? East Carolina Director of Athletics Jeff Compher is a 1980 graduate of James Madison, where he was a football student-athlete.
? ECU sophomore Caleb White grew up in Buckingham, Va., approximately 90 miles south of the JMU campus.
? JMU Athletic Trainer Cal Hall is 2009 graduate of East Carolina.
