Coppin St. @ East Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2017 ) Coppin St. 50, East Carolina 76

East Carolina's road losing streak to mid-major opponents increased to three after a disappointing loss to James Madison. The Pirates will look to get back on track Tuesday when they return home to face a Coppin State team which has played surprisingly well in its own non-conference slate.

The Pirates had previously struggled on offense, failing to reach 80 points in a loss through their first seven games. Despite season highs in points and assists, and a season-low in turnovers, they allowed the Dukes to score 99 points and make 12-of-26 from 3-point range after previously not allowing more than 80 points this season. East Carolina coach Joe Dooley has yet to find consistency in his rotation while trying to incorporate 11 new scholarship players, deploying seven different starting lineups through eight games. Though the Eagles have struggled from the floor and with taking care of the ball, they boast a pair of solid wins, including road victories at Loyola Chicago and James Madison.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT COPPIN STATE (3-6): The Eagles ranked 333rd in the country entering Monday by shooting 37.4 percent from the field. Though not the top scorer, guard Dejuan Clayton has been the most efficient, shooting a team-high 44.9 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from 3, all while sitting tied for eight in the nation with 21 steals. After going scoreless for two games, guard Aaron Robinson - the team's best 3-point shooter - has bounced back the last two contests, eclipsing double-figure points including 20 against James Madison.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2-6): The Pirates have gotten reinforcements on offense in the form of junior college transfers Tyrie Jackson and Tremont Robinson-Waters, with Jackson averaging 18 points in the last two contests and Robinson-Waters dropping 14 points in his season debut against James Madison. Sophomore forward Jayden Gardner has scored in double-figures in every game and averages 19.4 points. Freshman guard Logan Curtis, who had scored in two of seven games, scored 18 points on six 3s against James Madison.

TIP-INS

1. East Carolina shot 48 percent from 3 against James Madison after going 1-for-20 against Rice.

2. Coppin State was 321st in the nation with a .69 assist-turnover ratio.

3. East Carolina's newcomers have combined for 60 percent of the team's points.

PREDICTION: East Carolina 77, Coppin State 71