Chants Take Short Trip to Myrtle Beach For East Carolina Tilt
The Coastal Carolina University men’s basketball team (4-7) returns from Christmas break and heads to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to face East Carolina (8-3) Sunday, Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. The game can be heard on THE TEAM 93.9 FM in Myrtle Beach with Matt Hogue on the call. The Chants are coming off a 69-52 win at Georgia State last Saturday, a win that snapped its 32-game non-conference road losing streak.
A Coastal Carolina Win Would...
- Give the Chants a second-straight win for the second time this season.
- Give Head Coach Cliff Ellis his 630th career win and his 18th with the Chanticleers.
- Give Head Coach Cliff Ellis his first win over the Pirates in his career. He is 0-1 against ECU after last year’s 89-64 loss.
- Give Head Coach Cliff Ellis a 1-1 record against East Carolina head coach Mack McCarthy. Last year’s meeting was the first with the two as head coaches.
- Give Coastal Carolina its second straight win at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The Chants defeated Georgia State 79-68 Dec. 22, 2007.
- Give Coastal Carolina its second-ever win over the Pirates.
Storylines
- Head Coach Cliff Ellis and East Carolina head coach Mack McCarthy both coached at Auburn. Ellis was the head coach from 1994-2004 while McCarthy was an assistant from 1978-85 before taking over the head coaching job at Chattanooga.
- Senior Steven Sexton will reach a milestone today as he will play in his 100th game at Coastal Carolina. Sexton has 516 points and 106 three-pointers in his career in the Teal and Black. Senior Mario Sisinni is not far behind as he plays in his 98th game today.
- East Carolina is the only Conference USA team the Chants are playing this season. Coastal Carolina is 4-5 against current C-USA members, including a 3-0 record against UCF.
- Coastal Carolina is playing on the off day of the Beach Ball Classic. The Beach Ball Classic is one of the best holiday high school tournaments in the country and features 16 teams from around the nation. The tournament ends on Dec. 31.
- Coastal Carolina will have a mix of youth and experience this season as the Chanticleers have six players in their fourth year of school and eight juniors and seniors. Coastal Carolina also has seven newcomers, including five freshmen, on the roster.
Scouting East Carolina
The Pirates fell to 8-3 on the year with a 95-54 loss to sixth-ranked Wake Forest Dec. 22 in Greenville, N.C. Darrius Morrow led ECU with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Pirates won eight of their first nine games, including a 93-90 overtime win over VCU, but have fallen to back-to-back ACC opponents (N.C. State and Wake Forest). Sam Hinnant leads the Pirates with a 16.7 scoring average, while Morrow is bringing down 8.5 rebounds a contest. The two teams have one commom opponent in Coker. The Chants fell to Coker 80-59 while ECU defeated the Cobras 71-56.
Series vs. East Carolina
East Carolina leads the all-time series 4-1, including an 89-64 win over the Chants Jan. 2, 2008 in Greenville. Jack Leasure led the Chants with 16 points. Coastal Carolina is 1-1 against the Pirates in South Carolina, including a 90-71 win Dec. 23, 2002.
Rebounding a Big Key In Georgia State Win
Coastal Carolina outrebounded Georgia State 38-27 in the 69-52 win over the Panthers Dec. 20. The Chants limited Georgia State to just three offensive rebounds in the first half, while sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) led the Chants with nine caroms. Coastal Carolina is second in the Big South with a +3.7 rebounding margin and lead the League in defensive rebounds per game.
Sisinni Goes for a Career High in Georgia State Win
Senior Mario Sisinni (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) scored a career-high 17 points in the 69-52 win over Georgia State Dec. 20. He hit three three-pointers and was 4-of-5 from the free-throw line in the win over the Panthers. He also had a season high with five field goals and upped his season average to 6.5 points per game.
Chants Start Hot, End Cold vs. C of C
Coastal Carolina made eight of its first 11 shots against the College of Charleston to take an eight-point lead on three occasions in the first half. The Chants then went just 13-of-46 (28.3 percent) the rest of the way to fall 73-58 Dec. 17. On the year, Coastal Carolina is shooting 48.6 percent from the floor in the first half and 42.6 percent in the second.
Edwards Perfect on Weekend
In Coastal Carolina’s two wins over Southern Virginia and Virginia-Wise, junior Mario Edwards (Massillon, Ohio/Chipola J.C.) was a perfect 11-of-11 from the field. This included going 7-of-7 from three-point range. Edwards had 23 points in the Virginia-Wise win and added seven rebounds and three assists. He is averaging 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds a game.
Harris Hosts Block Party
Redshirt junior Joseph Harris (Lejeune, N.C./Lejeune) is now second in career blocked shots in Coastal Carolina history. Harris has 92 blocks in his career after having a block at Georgia State. The blocked shots record is 112, set by DeWayne Cheatam from 1987-91. Harris also is eighth in career rebounds with 567.
Pack on Track
Redshirt freshman Jon Pack (Dallas, Ga./East Paulding) was 6-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-5 from the line for a career-high 15 points in the 90-51 win over Virginia-Wise Dec. 14. Pack also had six rebounds on the game after grabbing a career-high nine against Southern Virginia. Pack is averaging 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds a contest.
Sexton Hits Threes and Dishes Rock in SVU Win
Senior Steven Sexton (Monticello, Ky./Wayne County) scored a career-high 18 points and tied a career-high with six assists in the 89-59 win over Southern Virginia Dec. 13. Sexton was 5-of-9 from three-point range and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line in 27 minutes of action. He also dished out six assists, which was a team high. Sexton is now averaging 8.3 points and 1.9 rebounds a game.
Chants on Fire in Southern Virginia Game
The Chanticleers shot 58.2 percent from the floor and 52.2 percent from three-point range in the 89-59 win over Southern Virginia Dec. 13. Coastal Carolina was 12-of-23 from beyond the arc. while sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) was 8-of-10 from the floor. This is the highest field-goal percentage since shooting 60.7 percent in a 99-97 win over VMI Jan. 15, 2007.
Everyone in the Scorebook in the Southern Virginia Win
All 12 players that dressed scored in the 89-59 win over Southern Virginia Dec. 13. This included three’s from junior Marshawn Martin (Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast), senior Ashton Lawrence (Greer, S.C./Riverside) and freshman Dexter Moore (Bluefield, W. Va./Hargrave Military) in the final minute of action.
Bench Vital to Chants This Season
Coastal Carolina’s bench has outscored its opponents’ bench 286-188 after eight games this season, including scoring 40 points in the 56-53 overtime loss to Presbyterian Dec. 3. Sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) had 18 points off the bench, while junior Mario Edwards (Massillon, Ohio/Chipola J.C.) added seven points. Coastal Carolina is averaging 26.0 points per game off the bench.
Chants Go in Extra Time For Second Time
Coastal Carolina is now 1-1 in overtime games this season after falling to Presbyterian 56-53. Earlier in the year, Coastal Carolina defeated Western Illinois 69-60 in overtime. Coastal Carolina is 2-1 in overtime under Head Coach Cliff Ellis and is 23-18 in school history in extra frames.
Breeze Goes Global
Sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Global Sports Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Breeze averaged 12.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in the four tournament games. He scored nine points in the last 2:14 of regulation and overtime of the 69-60 win over Western Illinois. His tip-in with two seconds left sent the game into overtime against the Leathernecks. Breeze led the Chanticleers with 15 points against North Carolina A&T. Florida State’s Toney Douglas was named the Most Valuable Player of the Global Sports Classic.
Harris Stuffs Stat Sheet in Western Illinois Win
Redshirt junior Joseph Harris (Lejeune, N.C./Lejeune) had a season-high 27 points and made it a double-double with 13 rebounds in the 69-60 overtime win over Western Illinois Nov. 28. Harris was 12-of-16 from the floor and had three steals and two blocked shots on the night. Sixteen of Harris’ 27 came in the first half as he helped the Chants to a then-season high 55.8 percent from the field in the win. His third rebound of the game also earned Harris his 500th career rebound, becoming just the 49th player in Big South history to pull down 500 career caroms.
Comeback Kids
Coastal Carolina was trailing by 10 points with 7:06 remaining in regulation against Western Illinois, but the Chants hit 6-of-9 field goals in those last seven minutes and sent the game into overtime, where the Chants would take the 69-60 win. A big reason for the comeback was sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville), who had nine of his 14 points in the last 2:14 of regulation and in overtime. His tip-in with two seconds left sent the game into overtime, and he scored five points in the extra session.
Chants Off to Good Starts in Global Sports Classic
Coastal Carolina has had good starts in its losses to Florida State and Cincinnati. Against the Seminoles, Coastal Caroilna built a 15-point lead at the 8:35 mark of the first half and led most of the first half. Coastal Carolina shot 51.7 percent in the first half against FSU. Then against Cincinnati, Coastal Caroilna had a six-point lead eight minutes in and shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
Coastal Carolina Shows Range In FSU Game
The Chanticleers shot 11-of-22 from three-point range in the 82-70 loss to Florida State Nov. 22. Junior Mario Edwards (Massillon, Ohio/Chipola J.C.) and freshman Dexter Moore (Bluefield, W. Va./Hargrave Military) had four three-pointers apiece, while senior Mario Sisinni (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) had two triples for the Chants. Coastal Carolina now is shooting 36.4 percent from behind the arc this year.
Harris Goes for the Daily Double in Savannah State Game
Redshirt junior Joseph Harris (Lejeune, N.C./Lejeune) recorded his 12th career double-double in the 66-65 loss to Savannah State Nov. 18, scoring 16 points and adding 14 rebounds. His rebounding total was just two away from a career high, while he tied a career high with four blocked shots. Harris is second in the Big South with a 9.4 rebounding average after getting 11 caroms in the 82-70 loss to Florida State.
Harris Returns to the Court
Redshirt junior Joseph Harris (Lejeune, N.C./Lejeune) played in his first game since Dec. 9, 2007 in the loss to Coker Nov. 15. Harris missed the last 20 games of the 2007-08 season due to a thumb injury suffered in the 80-68 loss to UNC Wilmington. The Lejeune, N.C., native had 13 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots against the Cobras.
Welcome to Chant Basketball for Seven Players
There are seven players on the roster who are newcomers on the 2008-09 squad. Redshirt freshman Jon Pack (Dallas, Ga./East Paulding) redshirted last season and has had a year of pracitce in Coach Ellis’ system. Junior Mario Edwards (Massillon, Ohio/Washington (Chipola J.C.)) helped Chipola Junior College to a 68-5 record in his two years with the Indians. Freshmen Dexter Moore (Bluefield, W. Va./Bluefield (Hargrave Military)) and Darius Steger (Guntersville, Ala./Guntersville) will both vie tor time at point guard. Moore helped Hargrave to a Post-Graduate National Championship, while Steger was a Class 4A All-State First Team in Alabama. Freshman Sam McLaurin (Havana, Fla./East Gadsden) was the Big Bend Player of the Year last season for East Gadsden High School. Freshman Marcus Macellari (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph’s) was a First Team selection by the South Bend Tribune. Junior Marshawn Martin (Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast) made the team after walking on in the fall and will also see time at point guard.
Breeze Comes Back from All-Freshman Performance
Sophomore Anthony Breeze (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) returns to the lineup this season after averaging 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in his rookie campaign for the Chanticleers. He was named to the All-Freshman Team for his efforts, becoming the 11th player in Coastal Carolina history to be named to the All-Freshman Team. Breeze was a two-time Freshman of the Week honoree and had a season-high 25 points against Cincinnati Nov. 16.
Chants Picked Eighth in Big South Preseason Poll
The Coastal Carolina University men’s basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Big South Conference in 2008-2009, the League announced Oct. 14 in its annual Basketball Media Day in Concord, N.C. The poll was voted on by the Big South’s head coaches and a media panel.
The Chanticleers earned 107 points in the poll. Coastal Carolina had one second-place vote and 12 votes in the top-five of the conference. The parity of the league in 2008-2009 was shown in the poll, as Winthrop, last year’s Big South Tournament champion, was picked to win the conference with 202 votes and nine-first place votes, but the Eagles also received one 10th-place vote. Seven teams earned a first-place vote in the poll.
Winthrop was followed by Radford (189 points, seven first-place votes), Gardner-Webb (188 points, three first-place votes) and Liberty (148 points, two first-place votes) in the top four. High Point was picked fifth with 132 points and one first-place vote, while Charleston Southern was sixth with 128 points and one first-place vote. VMI was picked just ahead of the Chanticleers with 110 points and one first-place votes. Coastal Carolina was next, followed by 2007 Big South co-regular season champion UNC Asheville (83 points) and Big South newcomer Presbyterian (33 points).
Kimbel Has Its Advantages
Coastal Carolina’s Kimbel Arena may seat just over 1,000 fans, but it has been large for the Chanticleers the last six seasons. Coastal Carolina is 33-6 (84.6 percent) since the start of the 2002-03 season in non-conference games at Kimbe. Coastal Carolina had a stellar 14-1 overall record at home in 2005-06, the most home victories since the program went Division I for the 1985-86 season. CCU is also 64-23 (73.6 percent) overall at the Conway campus venue in the last six years.
Ellis High On Active Division I Career Wins List
Head Coach Cliff Ellis is 12th in Division I wins by an active coach. Here is a list of the top 15 active coaches in Division I wins as of Dec. 17, 2008
1. Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)............ 813
2. Jim Calhoun (
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