Back to the letters.

Michael,
Thanks for your comments and observations about our thoughts concerning rebounding. You do not have to be big to be a great rebounder. One of the greatest rebounders in NBA history was a 6-4 Charles Barkley. We have to do it as a team and each individual has to take it upon himself to block-out and pursue the basketball. We can get this done.

C-Bass,
Like I said above, hopefully the schedule is being released along with the letters. We will make a decision about tryouts on September the 15. At that time we will announce if, when and where the tryouts would occur. Thanks for being so loyal and passionate.

Hector,
I appreciate your question about our staff. I wouldn't trade our staff for any in C-USA. Darryl LaBarrie was the first one hired and is a former ACC player at Georgia Tech. He played for Coach Cremmins and Coach Hewitt, and learned a lot from both of them. His youth and playing experience help him with his relationship with our players. He is knowledgeable and extremely organized and coordinates our recruiting. During the season he works with the perimeter players and you can judge his success from the performance of our point guards and wings last season. Mike Perry came to ECU last August. Having been a successful head coach is a valuable to the entire staff. Not only was Mike an outstanding player in a very good program at the University of Richmond, but he also assisted three Hall Of Fame coaches in Dick Tarrant at Richmond, Dave Robbins at Virginia Union and Lefty Driesell at Georgia State. He works with our post players during the season. I should also mention that all three of our assistants share the responsibility for scouting opponents. A week before practice started last season, Larry Epperly joined our staff. He left a head coaching and athletics director's position to come to ECU. He was a head coach for 24 years at the Division II level after stints as an assistant in Division I at Ohio University, James Madison, Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth. That experience is really helpful to the entire staff and me in particular. Finally, we hired John Moseley this spring. John and his wife are both ECU graduates. John worked in the program for Coach Dooley and Coach Herrion. He was also a high school coach in the state as well as an assistant at Delaware, Wright State and Winston Salem State. He has been a great addition and is already making a positive impact on a program. You can see why I went on and on and on about our staff--they are outstanding.

Jane,
We are trying to sign the best three players available. We are involved with some high level prospects. We do lack size and that is being addressed in this process, and we continue to seek talented offensive players, too. Sam and James are outstanding senior shooters. Clearly we need to address that loss with this class.

Bully,
Thanks for your comments and compliments about the schedule. You can see where I addressed many of your observations at the beginning of the "letters". I appreciate your being such a huge fan of Pirate Basketball.

We will continue to answers questions about the first of each month during the season. I know everyone enjoyed football's great win over Virginia Tech. Now, let's rock Dowdy-Ficklen like never before on Saturday! Go Pirates!

Mack

ECU Men's Basketball

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