East Carolina at NC Wilmington

NC Wilmington is off a 25-win season, and recieved a #9 seed in the tournament last year. They expected to be a contender in the tough Colonial Conference, and may well be, but they are not the team perhaps they will be at midseason. Wilmington has discovered just how stabilizing PG John Goldsberry was to this team. This year, the offense has been hampered by sloppy ball handling, and not running nearly as smooth. They have turned the ball over an average of 21.2 times a game in their last 5, and it is reflected in their 2-4 start. There is another missing piece to the puzzle, as TJ Carter (13.6ppg 4.1rpg), was expected to be a 20 point scorer this season, but he is still recovering from groin surgery. E. Carolina coach Ricky Stokes, cleaned house after an 8-20 season, and it looks like the pirates are better for it. The leftovers from that team, have combined with some newcomers to make this team much improved from a year ago. It starts with JUCO transfer Darrell Jenkins. he has instantly given this team a leader, scorer, and someone to direct the offense. Jenkins is averaging 14.5 ppg 3.3 rpg, and 7 apg. He has better than a 2.5 to 1 TO/A ratio. Two others, FR. John Fields is averaging 9.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg, and they have gotten another FR. that is tough on the glass in Gabe Blair (7.5ppg 8.3rpg). He has made a difference on a team that was killed off the glass last year, to one that is +3. 5rpg this year. We think E. Carolina is catching Wilmington at the right time, before their offense is flowing, and without its best player in Carter.