ECU looks for road win No. 2

[Brad]

ECU looks for road win No. 2

By Brock Letchworth, The Daily Reflector

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Life on the road never seemed so sweet for the East Carolina men's basketball team.

Three days after earning its most significant Conference USA road win ever with a 67-64 victory over UAB on Wednesday night, the team's spirits couldn't be any higher and the confidence that has emerged couldn't be any more evident. Tonight, the Pirates look to win consecutive C-USA road games for the first time since joining the league three seasons ago with a trip to South Florida.

Most importantly, ECU (8-16, 3-9 C-USA) is looking to take another step toward earning a spot in the C-USA postseason tournament against the Bulls, who the Pirates are currently tied with for the 12th and final spot available in the tournament. Tulane, which ECU faces March 5 in New Orleans, is also in the mix with three conference wins.

"I think right now everyone feels good about themselves and there's a good (feeling of confidence) with this basketball team right now," ECU coach Bill Herrion said. "But we also understand that we've got a big game and a tough game against South Florida coming up."

Tipoff for tonight's game is set for 7 inside the USF Sun Dome.

A win against USF would put the Pirates in the driver's seat entering the final three games of the season, and ECU has the schedule in its favor. Considering two of its final three games after tonight are at home (Southern Miss and Houston), and the trio of opponents have a combined 11-24 record in C-USA play, the Pirates seem primed to earn their third tournament bid in four years.

"The kids understand the deal, but our approach is to control our own destiny and take care of our own business by winning games," Herrion said. "We're playing well right now, but I think other teams are aware of that and people are going to be ready to play against us."

The two teams battling with ECU for the final tournament spot, Tulane and USF, have a much tougher road during the final stretch. The Green Wave hosts Charlotte (18-4, 9-2 C-USA) tonight and TCU (16-9, 6-5 C-USA) Wednesday before traveling to UAB (16-8, 6-5 C-USA) and Cincinnati (19-6, 7-4 C-USA). USF travels to DePaul (16-6, 8-3 C-USA) and TCU after tonight, and closes out the season at home against Charlotte.

ECU's leading scorer, sophomore guard Mike Cook (14.8 ppg), is expected to return tonight after leaving Wednesday's game against the Blazers with a deep gash over his right eye. Cook was taken to a Birmingham hospital and received five stitches for the wound. ECU will also need another productive effort from junior forward Corey Rouse, who earned his conference-best ninth double-double against UAB by netting 12 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

The Pirates recorded their first C-USA road win last season at USF, a 59-57 triumph, but dropped a game to the Bulls for the first time ever this season in a 72-71 home loss Jan. 5.

"Obviously we let a good opportunity slip away with that loss at home," Herrion said. "But right now this is just the next game on the schedule. While the other night was a big win for us, this one might be bigger. We're going to find out how good our basketball team is in this game against South Florida."

Brock Letchworth can be reached at 329-9592 or kletchworth@coxnews.com

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