Oct. 24, 2005

GREENVILLE, N.C.-- Fans can get a look at the 2005-06 East Carolina men's basketball team Saturday, Oct. 29 - at no charge - as the Pirates will hold their annual Purple-Gold intrasquad scrimmage game inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, prior to the Homecoming football game with UCF at 2 o'clock.

The Pirates are scheduled to take the floor at 11 a.m. with the game slated to begin at approximately 11:45 a.m. The gates will open at 10:30 a.m. to allow fans to catch a brief intrasquad game by the Lady Pirates. Parking lots will open at 10 a.m.

First-year head coach Ricky Stokes inherited eight lettermen, including three starters from last year's team, led by seniors Corey Rouse and Mike Castro. Rouse was recently tabbed preseason all-conference by Street & Smith's after leading Conference USA in rebounding a year ago with 10.2 rebounds per game.

Japhet McNeil, the Pirates' single season record-holder for assists, returns for his junior campaign, while sophomores Tom Hammonds, Jonathan Hart, and Josh King are back to don the purple and gold for a second season.

Junior college transfers Tyronne Beale and Courtney Captain join freshmen Quinton Goods and Sam Hinnant on the roster, along with non-scholarship walk-ons Taylor Gagnon, Nick Mattone, Will O'Neil and Jeff Robinson. ECU will also have the services of LaSalle transfer David Bell when the season tips-off against North Carolina A&T on Friday, Nov. 18 and then welcome Wake Forest transfer and Kinston, N.C. native Jeremy Ingram into the mix at the conclusion of the 2005 fall semester.

The Pirates host North Carolina Central in their lone exhibition game of the season at home on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.