The Niners have been here before, actually a few weeks ago.  It is time once again to face our in-state brethren.  No, not the mother ship, or even N.C. State, just one of the few in-state schools who will actually play us, East Carolina.  Since we last saw the Pirates, they have gone 3-0 with wins against USC-Upstate (for 7th place in Charleston), Lenoir-Rhyne (a Division II school), and UNC Greensboro (81-53).  So presumably, momentum is in their favor.  Also, Minges Coliseum has not been the kindest place to Niner fans in the past (my memory draws a blank when I try to think of January 29th, 2005…  Moussa who?).  Factor in the thought that Charlotte will once again be playing without Shamari Spears (suspension), Charles Dewhurst (injured), and K.J. Sherrill (injured), and this could be a potential trap for the Niners.  With Spears, the Niners dispatched ECU a few weeks ago by a count of 74-63 in a neutral setting, and now must do the same in hostile territory without the power forward, or his biting words from the “Twitterverse”.

Greenville's #1 Fan... (Space) Pirates... not so much

There will be a familiarity between these two and one is sure the Pirates’ will be out for revenge, have plenty of game tape to go off of, and home-court advantage (and hot distracting Co-Eds) to pull off the victory.  Despite all this, it is not going to happen.  At the end of the day, this is basketball, and we’re talking about ECU.  We cannot lose to them, largely because of family members who attended the university and the abundant text messages that will be received if they win, but also because Greenville is where basketball goes to die (along with just about every other organic body).

Predictions:

McFly: Niners 76, Pirates 70.  That isn’t scurvy, just two losses to the Niners for the Pirates in two weeks

C-Pip: Charlotte 65 East Carolina 60.  Their big man is an absolute scrub and slow, Braswell and Phil will do what needs to be done.

The Legendary HP49er: Cannons fired over ECU’s bow as the Niners take #2 from the Pirates,80-69.

NLP: Niners hit the jackpot in G-vegas, leave with a 73-67 win over the Pirates.

J Felt: Charlotte 71, ECU 59. Braswell continues this new “play with intensity” thing and dominates again, Phil Jones records 7 blocks.

2k: Charlotte 71, ECU 66. StillJonesing? Nope, StillLosing to Charlotte.

49ers

Charlotte travels to Greenville tomorrow for a trio of two’s, the 2nd true road game, the 2nd game versus the East Carolina Pirates, and the 2nd game into Senior Forward Shamari Spears’ indefinite suspension.  With the suspension of Spears and the return of East Carolina’s Senior Guard Brock Young to the starting line-up, this game is not expected to resemble the game in Charleston in many ways except, hopefully, for the Niners walking off the court victors.

In Charlotte’s 74-63 win, all 5 starters for Charlotte scored in double figures, with Phil Jones adding 8 more off the bench.  G-F Jamar Abrams had the duty of guarding Spears, who scored 15 points on 5-11shooting, while big man Darrius Morrow had the challenge of guarding Chris Braswell and Phil Jones with help from Chad Wynn and Darius Morales.  The Pirates 3 big men won the scoring battle 24-19, but lost the rebounding edge to our duo 18-15.  Reserves Wynn and Morales only saw 15 minutes of action and committed 2 fouls apiece and as a team, ECU recorded only 1 block , which came from Guard Corvonn Gaines.  With the way Braswell and Jones dominated inside against Radford(14-15 FG, 34 pts), expect the same strategy from the 49ers tomorrow night. The 49ers have a size and talent advantage inside, and could look to get Morrow, who had 4 fouls in 29 minutes the first game, int0 early foul trouble.  Another strategy Charlotte has available would be having Braswell and Jones on the floor together, which would exploit the severely undersized G-F Abrams, and  could also produce many trips to the free throw line.

Pirates

Nothing should be different in the match-up of guards this time, Deuce and Derrio efficiently combined for 26 points on 21 shots. Both starting guards could have some pressure relieved by the improvement of Gokhan Sirin, who saw 1 minute of playing time in the first game, but exploded for 14 points, shooting 4/7 3-pointers, in Saturdays win against Radford.  His defense and confidence was much improved in that game, although that could be a product of the opponent rather than Gokhan, so we can’t hold our breath for a similar performance in Greenville.  Javarris Barnett is good for 1 or 2 jumpers a game, and 5 or 6 quality rebounds, but shouldn’t have a lot of pressure on him while he is starting in place of Shamari.  An’Juan should be expected to be An’Juan again, scoring by driving to the hoop and off offensive rebounds along with his defensive skill set on the other end of the court.  It is an unknown if Charles Dewhurst will be available, but his presence would only help rest our overworked back court more efficiently than Colby Lewis could,  even though Colby has impressed(for a walk-on) by not “blowing it” on defense, Dewhurst would be a great improvement in the rotation.

Coach Lebo does have game tape of the 49ers and homecourt advantage on his side, but the tape he has is that with Shamari on the court, so its use to him could be limited, but still expect a close game at East Carolina.  Charlotte still has better talent, its up to the players to win it for The Niner Nation