EAST CAROLINA Pirates - 2015-16 Blue Ribbon's Preview
LOCATION Greenville, NC
CONFERENCE American Athletic (AAC)
LAST SEASON 14-19 (.424)
CONFERENCE RECORD 6-12 (t-7th)
STARTERS RETURNING/LOST 3/2
NICKNAME Pirates
CONFERENCE American Athletic (AAC)
LAST SEASON 14-19 (.424)
CONFERENCE RECORD 6-12 (t-7th)
STARTERS RETURNING/LOST 3/2
NICKNAME Pirates
COLORS Purple & Gold
HOMECOURT Williams
Arena at Minges Coliseum (8,000)
COACH Jeff Lebo (North Carolina ’89)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 87-80 (5 years)
COACH Jeff Lebo (North Carolina ’89)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 87-80 (5 years)
CAREER RECORD 298-236 (17 years)
ASSISTANTS
Mike Netti (Syracuse ’02) - Michael Perry
(Richmond ’81) - Ken Potosnak (Randolph-Macon ’90)
WINS (LAST 5 YRS.) 18-15-23-17-14
WINS (LAST 5 YRS.) 18-15-23-17-14
RPI (LAST 5 YRS.) 108-167-67-223-220
2014-15 FINISH Lost in AAC quarter finals.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS:
BACKCOURT C+
Coach Je Lebo has been around college basketball for a long time, from his stint as a starter at North Carolina, through his tenures as head coach at Tennessee Tech, Chattanooga and Auburn, to his current spot on the sidelines at East Carolina. That’s why he wasn’t too surprised by much of what he saw during the Pirates’ first season in the American Athletic Conference. He expected life to be tougher, and he figured it would take some time for his players — and the program in general — to acclimate to ECU’s new home.
After a maiden campaign in the AAC, Lebo and his staff can expect the rest of the Pirate basketball world to be comfortable with the new conference and go about the business of becoming contenders, rather than rookies.
“We as coaches kind of knew what it was going to be like,” coach Lebo said. “We’re veterans. It was what we expected. The biggest transition was for the players. The jump in talent in the new league was dramatic. Playing 18 league games against élite-level teams every night was exciting, but we learned a lot about each other and where we need to grow and how much better we need to get.”
The Pirates won six AAC games, actually one more win in league play than they captured during their final season in Conference USA. There were moments during which ECU looked like it belonged in its new home and times when it was clear the adjustment period was going to take longer than just one season. As East Carolina moves into 2015-16, it does so with a strong idea of what it must do to succeed.
“We had some pockets of success, and that gave us con dence we can compete,” coach Lebo said.
One thing that will help will be good health. The Pirates were without Paris Campbell and Marshall Guilmette for long stretches last year, and that hindered their ability to build the depth necessary to handle stouter competition. If ECU can keep the bulk of its rotation out of the training room this season, it has a chance to make a step forward.
Of course, that means the team will have to improve on its minus-3.1 rebounding margin, prevent teams from shooting 44.5 percent from the field and shoot better than 42.2 percent itself. The newcomers should help the team make strides in those areas, as will a solid collection of holdovers.
One area that must be addressed from the start at is point guard, where Antonio Robinson must be replaced. Not only did Robinson hand out a team-high 3.7 assists per game, he was also the team’s top thief, with 55 steals. The job could go to 6-0 junior college transfer Charles Foster (14.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.4 apg), who helped Vincennes (Ind.) University to a cumulative 67-5 record in his two seasons there. Foster is a combo player who can shoot, handle and distribute and has the ability to run a team.
“He has won everywhere he has been,” coach Lebo said. “He can provide a lot of stability for us and can really defend the ball.”
Lance Tejada (4.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.7 apg) is a 6-2 sophomore who came to Greenville last year hoping to make an immediate impact. While he averaged 13.9 minutes — not bad for a freshman — he wanted more. If he is going to get increased playing time this season, he has some work to do.
“Lance didn’t play as much as he would have liked last year, but he has improved,” coach Lebo said. “His weight is down, and he is shooting better. He has to get more consistent shooting the ball. There were a couple small things we addressed with his shot, and we are expecting him to be a major player for us.”
Pirates fans expected 6-5 senior Prince Williams (1.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg) to make an impact at the point last year, especially after he started in 2013-14, but he lost his job to Robinson and wasn’t able to handle life as a reserve last season.
“Prince never recovered from that,” coach Lebo said. “Part of it was that his confidence was shaken. I hope he can help us as a senior.”
Last year’s leading scorer was 6-3 sophomore B.J. Tyson (12.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 apg), who didn’t start a game and averaged only 24.2 minutes. If he can improve on his .303 shooting mark from 3, he can make a big impact.
“Athletically, he fits into any league in the country,” coach Lebo said. “He’s a special type of athlete. He has speed, toughness and is a leader and a winner. He can drive the ball with force, get to the foul line and jump over you. The big thing is whether he can knock down perimeter shots. He’s a high-risk player, but we put the ball in his hands a lot and tell him to go make something happen. We can isolate him and ask him to make plays.
A lot of people outside the American don’t know about him, but they’ll nd out this year.”
Expect to see a good amount of 6-5 freshman Kentrell Barkley (23.6 ppg, 11.6 rpg), who posted 43 career double-doubles at Northern Durham (N.C.) High. He’s a versatile player who works hard and is used to winning.
“He can do a little bit of everything,” coach Lebo said. “You look at him during the game, and it doesn’t seem like he’s doing that much. Then you see the stat sheet and notice that he has 16 points and 14 rebounds. He has tremendous toughness and great length. He can rebound and has a nose for the ball. The big thing with him is whether he can shoot the ball consistently. But he’s the tough, junkyard dog you need in this league. He’s not shy and not afraid.”
Whereas Tyson must work on his jumper, 6-7 junior Caleb White (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, .409 3PT) has the long-range game down. He has to become a more complete scorer this season to make the Pirates better.
“He’s been really solid and consistent for us, but the big thing for Caleb now is to get the ball to the rim more and get to the free-throw line more,” coach Lebo said. “He relies on his jumper too much.”
Coach Lebo considers 6-8 junior Michel “Ziggy” Ngeze (5.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .616 FG) a “wonderful kid” and one of the team’s hardest workers. Ngeze, a native of Switzerland, can defend, rebound and score close to the basket, but coach Lebo wants him to stretch his shooting range to 15 to 18 feet. If he can add that to his quick-twitch movements and high motor, he can be an interior force.
BACKCOURT C+
FRONTCOURT B-
BENCH/DEPTH C+
INTANGIBLES B
After a maiden campaign in the AAC, Lebo and his staff can expect the rest of the Pirate basketball world to be comfortable with the new conference and go about the business of becoming contenders, rather than rookies.
“We as coaches kind of knew what it was going to be like,” coach Lebo said. “We’re veterans. It was what we expected. The biggest transition was for the players. The jump in talent in the new league was dramatic. Playing 18 league games against élite-level teams every night was exciting, but we learned a lot about each other and where we need to grow and how much better we need to get.”
The Pirates won six AAC games, actually one more win in league play than they captured during their final season in Conference USA. There were moments during which ECU looked like it belonged in its new home and times when it was clear the adjustment period was going to take longer than just one season. As East Carolina moves into 2015-16, it does so with a strong idea of what it must do to succeed.
“We had some pockets of success, and that gave us con dence we can compete,” coach Lebo said.
One thing that will help will be good health. The Pirates were without Paris Campbell and Marshall Guilmette for long stretches last year, and that hindered their ability to build the depth necessary to handle stouter competition. If ECU can keep the bulk of its rotation out of the training room this season, it has a chance to make a step forward.
Of course, that means the team will have to improve on its minus-3.1 rebounding margin, prevent teams from shooting 44.5 percent from the field and shoot better than 42.2 percent itself. The newcomers should help the team make strides in those areas, as will a solid collection of holdovers.
One area that must be addressed from the start at is point guard, where Antonio Robinson must be replaced. Not only did Robinson hand out a team-high 3.7 assists per game, he was also the team’s top thief, with 55 steals. The job could go to 6-0 junior college transfer Charles Foster (14.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.4 apg), who helped Vincennes (Ind.) University to a cumulative 67-5 record in his two seasons there. Foster is a combo player who can shoot, handle and distribute and has the ability to run a team.
“He has won everywhere he has been,” coach Lebo said. “He can provide a lot of stability for us and can really defend the ball.”
Lance Tejada (4.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.7 apg) is a 6-2 sophomore who came to Greenville last year hoping to make an immediate impact. While he averaged 13.9 minutes — not bad for a freshman — he wanted more. If he is going to get increased playing time this season, he has some work to do.
“Lance didn’t play as much as he would have liked last year, but he has improved,” coach Lebo said. “His weight is down, and he is shooting better. He has to get more consistent shooting the ball. There were a couple small things we addressed with his shot, and we are expecting him to be a major player for us.”
Pirates fans expected 6-5 senior Prince Williams (1.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg) to make an impact at the point last year, especially after he started in 2013-14, but he lost his job to Robinson and wasn’t able to handle life as a reserve last season.
“Prince never recovered from that,” coach Lebo said. “Part of it was that his confidence was shaken. I hope he can help us as a senior.”
Last year’s leading scorer was 6-3 sophomore B.J. Tyson (12.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 apg), who didn’t start a game and averaged only 24.2 minutes. If he can improve on his .303 shooting mark from 3, he can make a big impact.
“Athletically, he fits into any league in the country,” coach Lebo said. “He’s a special type of athlete. He has speed, toughness and is a leader and a winner. He can drive the ball with force, get to the foul line and jump over you. The big thing is whether he can knock down perimeter shots. He’s a high-risk player, but we put the ball in his hands a lot and tell him to go make something happen. We can isolate him and ask him to make plays.
A lot of people outside the American don’t know about him, but they’ll nd out this year.”
Expect to see a good amount of 6-5 freshman Kentrell Barkley (23.6 ppg, 11.6 rpg), who posted 43 career double-doubles at Northern Durham (N.C.) High. He’s a versatile player who works hard and is used to winning.
“He can do a little bit of everything,” coach Lebo said. “You look at him during the game, and it doesn’t seem like he’s doing that much. Then you see the stat sheet and notice that he has 16 points and 14 rebounds. He has tremendous toughness and great length. He can rebound and has a nose for the ball. The big thing with him is whether he can shoot the ball consistently. But he’s the tough, junkyard dog you need in this league. He’s not shy and not afraid.”
Whereas Tyson must work on his jumper, 6-7 junior Caleb White (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, .409 3PT) has the long-range game down. He has to become a more complete scorer this season to make the Pirates better.
“He’s been really solid and consistent for us, but the big thing for Caleb now is to get the ball to the rim more and get to the free-throw line more,” coach Lebo said. “He relies on his jumper too much.”
Coach Lebo considers 6-8 junior Michel “Ziggy” Ngeze (5.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .616 FG) a “wonderful kid” and one of the team’s hardest workers. Ngeze, a native of Switzerland, can defend, rebound and score close to the basket, but coach Lebo wants him to stretch his shooting range to 15 to 18 feet. If he can add that to his quick-twitch movements and high motor, he can be an interior force.
That seems to be what 6-8 JUCO import Clarence Williams has the potential to become as well. A Tallahassee, Fla., native, Williams (7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) was an inside fixture for Trinity Valley Community College, the nation’s second-ranked junior-college team, and he’s a fine rebounder with good athletic ability.
“He is really, really talented,” coach Lebo said. “He can run, shoot 3s and is an excellent foul shooter. He can put it on the floor, drive it and get to the line. But he has to get into great shape. As an athlete, he already looks like he belongs in this league.”
Marshall Guilmette (6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg) was waylaid by a host of injuries, including problems with his knee and ankle. But if the 6-11, 250-pound junior can stay healthy, he can be “a key cog for us,” coach Lebo said. Marshall Guilmette can shoot and pass well, and he has a high basketball IQ.
“But he missed so much last year, it hurt his development,” coach Lebo said.
Another big man who can help out is 6-9, 240-pound senior Michael Zangari (2.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), a wide body who is improving and should give the Pirates help inside.
The Pirates are expecting plenty from 6-10, 225-pound freshman Deng Riak, a native of Melbourne, Australia, who arrives from Victory Rose Prep in Florida. The lean big man has myriad skills, and Lebo expects him to grow into a dangerous o ensive player.
“He’s very skilled with a high IQ and can shoot it to 16 feet,” coach Lebo said. “He can pass and dribble it, and he’s physical, even though he’s lean. He’s not a terri c jumper, but he’s athletic and knows how to play. He can catch it on the perimeter and could become a 3-point shooter.”
The final interior player is 6-9, 255-pound senior Kanu Aja (2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), whom coach Lebo considers “a great screener” who can also defend. If Aja commits to his role as a complementary piece, he will be more valuable for the team.
“He is really, really talented,” coach Lebo said. “He can run, shoot 3s and is an excellent foul shooter. He can put it on the floor, drive it and get to the line. But he has to get into great shape. As an athlete, he already looks like he belongs in this league.”
Marshall Guilmette (6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg) was waylaid by a host of injuries, including problems with his knee and ankle. But if the 6-11, 250-pound junior can stay healthy, he can be “a key cog for us,” coach Lebo said. Marshall Guilmette can shoot and pass well, and he has a high basketball IQ.
“But he missed so much last year, it hurt his development,” coach Lebo said.
Another big man who can help out is 6-9, 240-pound senior Michael Zangari (2.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), a wide body who is improving and should give the Pirates help inside.
The Pirates are expecting plenty from 6-10, 225-pound freshman Deng Riak, a native of Melbourne, Australia, who arrives from Victory Rose Prep in Florida. The lean big man has myriad skills, and Lebo expects him to grow into a dangerous o ensive player.
“He’s very skilled with a high IQ and can shoot it to 16 feet,” coach Lebo said. “He can pass and dribble it, and he’s physical, even though he’s lean. He’s not a terri c jumper, but he’s athletic and knows how to play. He can catch it on the perimeter and could become a 3-point shooter.”
The final interior player is 6-9, 255-pound senior Kanu Aja (2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), whom coach Lebo considers “a great screener” who can also defend. If Aja commits to his role as a complementary piece, he will be more valuable for the team.
Last season was an education for the Pirates, who enter 2015-16 with a much better idea of what is necessary to win in the AAC. Whether that knowledge translates into more victories remains to be seen, because knowledge may be power, but it doesn’t always guarantee success on the court.
It’s imperative that ECU’s perimeter situation solidify, and it will help if Charles Foster can team with BJ Tyson in a solid starting combination, with Tejada and Williams in reserve. But the latter duo have to get over disappointments from last year and become consistent contributors.
There are more options up front, and the arrivals of Barkley and Williams will help. It will also be interesting to see what Riak can do. His skill set is exciting.
Caleb White’s outside shooting is strong, and if he is more aggressive o the dribble, he’ll be a more valuable offensive option. There are three solid options inside, but they need to understand their roles and become more able to help ECU win.
There are still plenty of steps ahead for the Pirates to become AAC contenders. But thanks to the experience gained last year, the contributions from the newcomers and the expected development of holdovers, East Carolina will continue to grow into a more formidable — and comfortable — member of the American.
Michael Bradley
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