Pirate Pulse Preview: ECU Basketball Opens 2025–26 Season vs. Georgia Southern
Photo Credit: ECU Athletics
Basketball is back in Greenville tonight as East Carolina tips off the 2025–26 season inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the Pirates listed as 7.5-point favorites over Georgia Southern.
It’s a reunion between familiar coaches, Mike Schwartz of ECU and Charlie Henry of Georgia Southern, who last squared off in 2023 when the Pirates rolled 82–64. Schwartz enters his fourth year at the helm in Greenville, while Henry begins year three leading the Eagles.
According to KenPom, ECU opens the year ranked No. 145 nationally, while Georgia Southern checks in at No. 271, giving the Pirates the advantage heading into the opener.
Scouting Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern has undergone a near-total rebuild, with 13 newcomers joining the roster this season. Picked 10th in the Sun Belt preseason poll, the Eagles bring a fast-paced, disruptive brand of basketball that can catch teams off guard early in the year.
“Really challenging style of play,” Schwartz said. “They play really fast. They’re very disruptive on defense. They’ll change defenses some. But it’s a team that’s to play five out, four out, run in transition. They’re going to try and create disruption on defense, so they can get out and run. They shoot the basketball. They’ll have five shooters out there. Just a real challenge. Different than how we play in a lot of ways. We will be tested greatly right off the bat.”
Rebounding Could Be the Difference
The Pirates should have a significant edge on the boards. Georgia Southern struggled to rebound last year, and ECU is once again built to dominate that area, a staple of Schwartz’s teams.
Jordan Riley, a Preseason First-Team All-Conference pick, and 6-foot-7 guard Jayshayne Woodard both bring length and toughness. Add in Giovanni Emejuru (6-10, 260) and Eli DeLaurier (6-10, 238), and ECU has the frontcourt muscle to control the glass and set the tone inside.
Injury Report
ECU will be without Trevion LaBeaux, who remains out with an injury, while freshman guard Daithi Quinn will miss the season after suffering a knee injury.
What I Want to See
How the Pirates look without RJ Felton: This is a new era for ECU basketball. I want to see who takes command now that Felton’s leadership and scoring are gone.
Who takes the big shot: When the clock runs low, does Jordan Riley become the go-to scorer, or will someone else rise to the moment?
How dominant Giovanni Emejuru can be: The 6-foot-10 big man brings major size and power. If he owns the paint, ECU’s identity starts forming fast.
Prediction
The opener won’t be a breeze. Georgia Southern can shoot it and force turnovers, but ECU’s rebounding, physicality, and home-court advantage should carry the night. Expect the Pirates to pull away late behind a strong defensive effort and timely buckets from their veterans.
Chance Scott Prediction: ECU 74, Georgia Southern 67.