GAMEDAY: Pirates Host Primetime Matchup With No. 5 Wichita State

Game 15: vs. Wichita State
Date:	Thursday, Jan. 11
Time:	9 p.m. (ET)
Location:	Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum)
Tickets & Parking:	Game Tickets \| Parking Information
Live Game Coverage:	TV: ESPN2 Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM \| TuneIn Radio Online Video Stream: WatchESPN
Internet Options:	Live Stats
Game Notes:	ECU \| Wichita State \| The American

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- ECU takes the floor inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for the first time in 2018 Thursday night against American Athletic Conference newcomer Wichita State at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.

The Shockers enter the game with a No. 5 national ranking in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll, riding a five-game winning streak and an unblemished mark of 3-0 in The American.

Wichita State is just the second AP Top-5 opponent to enter the gates at Minges Coliseum, joining Memphis who also sported a No. 5 ranking in 2006.

"They're No. 5 in the country for a reason and probably on the rise," ECU Interim Head Coach Michael Perry said. "They're a terrific team, well coached and play extremely hard; one of the best teams to come into our arena since I've been around."

The Shockers lead The American in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounding margin, assists, and 3-point field goals made while ranking second or third in seven additional categories.

"We're going to have to do a good job of trying to find some scoring opportunities in transition," Perry said. "We're going to have to be creative in terms of finding ways to score. We've got be able to handle their full court pressure as well.

"On the defensive end, we've got to get back in transition and we've got to be prepare to guard those guys in multiple ways."

Sophomore Landry Shamet is one of four players averaging double figures for the Shockers with 16.1 points per game followed by Shaquille Morris (12.2 ppg), Conner Frankamp (11.8 ppg) and Darral Willis (11.6 ppg).

Willis (6.9 rpg) and frontcourt mate Rashard Kelly (7.4 rpg) are highest rebounding duo in the conference with a combined 14.3 boards per game.

The Pirates have a trio of double figures scorers themselves led by senior B.J. Tyson (15.7 ppg), who has topped the 20-point mark twice in the last five games and is on pace to become The American's all-time leading scorer.

Junior Kentrell Barkley (12.4 ppg) and Isaac Fleming (12.7 ppg) are each averaging over 12 points per game with Fleming leading the conference with 4.8 assists per game and Barkley ranking 11^th in rebounding with 6.4 boards per night.

Each member of the trio averages better than 31 minutes per game.

GAMEDAY: Pirates Host Primetime Matchup With No. 5 Wichita State

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Players Mentioned

Isaac Fleming

B.J. Tyson

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