| Game Two: vs. Radford | |
| Date: | Wednesday, Nov. 15 |
| Time: | 7 p.m. (ET) |
| Location: | Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum) |
| Tickets & Parking: | Game Tickets | Parking Information |
| Live Game Coverage: | Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM | TuneIn Radio Online Video Stream: ESPN3 |
| Internet Options: | Live Stats |
| Game Notes: | ECU (PDF) | Radford | The American |
GREENVILLE, N.C. - After taking a mandatory day off Monday, ECU returned to the practice court Tuesday with just a single practice session to prepare for its next opponent, Radford, who will visit Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Lebo will then have just one day to prepare his team for its next game on Friday against Central Connecticut State.
"Sometimes it's hard to fit the games in," ECU Head Coach Jeff Lebo said. "Our finals go over a weekend here and go from midweek to midweek, so when you can't play for an extended period of time, trying to find a place to put games is difficult. We put them where we can when the other team can play them too."
The Pirates used the preparation time they did have to construct a season-opening 76-50 victory over Coppin State on Sunday, holding the Eagles to a mere 18.5 percent shooting performance and only 18 points in the first half as they built a 22-point halftime lead. ECU limited Coppin State to just 24.6 percent shooting overall, forcing the Eagles into a 9-of-39 (.231) 3-point shooting display.
"I feel like we were dialed in defensively," Lebo said. "We knew coming into the game [Coppin State] was going to be small and was going to shoot a lot of 3s. I thought we defended very well. They didn't get a lot of clean looks at the basket from 3 and we limited them to one shot.
"I thought on the defensive end we did a lot of nice things. We got good play defensively from our freshmen which was nice to see."
ECU's seven newcomers, which includes Hawaii transfer Isaac Fleming and redshirt freshmen Shawn Williams, combined for 48 points and 28 rebounds. Williams came off the bench to score 14 points, while Fleming added 12.
Freshman Justin Whatley scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench, playing a team-best 28 minutes.
"His work habits and his basketball IQ are as good as anybody I have had as a freshman, Lebo explained. "He was calm and under control. He looked like a seasoned senior out there."
Junior Kentrell Barkley also scored 14 points and secured a game-high seven rebounds despite being limited to 20 minutes of action.
The Pirates' attention now turns to Radford, who lost by 10 at Ohio State Sunday after opening the season with a resounding victory over Georgia Southwestern Friday.
The Highlanders are led by junior forward Ed Polite, who was tabbed preseason Second-Team All-Big South after leading the conference in rebounding (9.5 rpg) and double-doubles (14) a year ago. Redshirt freshman Carlik Jones has scored 34 points through two games and has made 6-of-9 shots from outside the arc.
Donald Hicks has made 4-of-7 3-point attempts and Caleb Tanner has knocked down 4-of-8 for the Highlanders, who are shooting a 38.3 percent clip beyond the arc this season.
ECU leads the overall series 5-3 and has won three straight in the series which is being renewed for the first time since 2003.
