Tulane University men’s basketball team travels to Greenville, North Carolina, to begin American Athletic Conference play against East Carolina. The Green Wave aims to continue its recent success in conference openers, having won its last two games to start league play under Head Coach Ron Hunter.
The matchup is scheduled to tip off at 11 a.m. Central Time on ESPNU, with live radio coverage available via the Tulane Sports Network on 106.7 The Ticket. Fans can also stream the game on the Tulane Athletics App and The Varsity Network App, ensuring comprehensive access to the action.
Tulane’s Conference Opener Performance
Since joining the American Athletic Conference before the 2014-15 season, Tulane holds a 5-6 overall record in conference openers, which includes back-to-back wins in the most recent years. However, their performance on the road in the first conference game remains challenging, posting a 4-7 record away from home in such matches.
Head Coach Ron Hunter’s team looks to overcome this trend and set a positive tone for the remainder of the conference schedule. Tulane’s recent form includes a narrow 63-61 victory over Portland State, where senior Asher Woods secured the win with clutch free throws in the dying seconds.
Historic Rivalry with East Carolina
This game marks the 39th meeting between Tulane and East Carolina, with the Green Wave trailing the overall series 18-20. The 2023 season split saw both teams defending home courts. Tulane fell 64-73 in the most recent matchup held in Greenville.
East Carolina has dominated home matchups lately, winning the last seven games against Tulane on their turf. The Green Wave’s last road win in Greenville was a hard-fought 71-69 overtime victory on January 31, 2018.
East Carolina’s Team Overview
East Carolina enters conference play with a 5-8 record and a solid 5-3 standing on their home court. Throughout their non-conference slate, the Pirates have averaged 67.1 points per game, shooting 39.3 percent from the field. Defensively, they have allowed opponents 76.2 points on 45.8 percent shooting, indicating some defensive vulnerabilities.
The Pirates’ offense is led by Jordan Riley and Giovanni Emejuru. Riley, who earned Preseason All-Conference First Team honors, leads the conference in scoring with an average of 20.8 points per game. Emejuru contributes with 14.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest, forming a formidable inside-outside duo.
East Carolina was predicted to finish 10th in The American pre-season coaches’ poll, reflecting expectations for a rebuilding year. Nonetheless, their strong home record and key players present challenges for visiting teams.
Upcoming Schedule for Tulane
After facing East Carolina on the road, Tulane returns home for its official home conference opener against Florida Atlantic. This game is set for Sunday at noon on ESPN2. Tulane will seek to capitalize on home-court advantage and build momentum early in American Athletic Conference competition.
This opening conference game against East Carolina presents an opportunity for Tulane to break its recent road struggles and assert its competitiveness in the league. With experienced players and a history of close contests against the Pirates, the Green Wave looks to start conference play on a positive note.
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