Mack McCarthy understood when he took over as East Carolina's interim coach last season that building a winning program could be a long process.
The Pirates took the first step by climbing out of the Conference USA cellar for the first time in three seasons, finishing 11-19 overall and 5-11 for 10th-place in C-USA.
McCarthy received a five-year contract in the offseason, and now the challenge is for his program to take the next step. It will be difficult with just one returning starter, guard Sam Hinnant, and 10 players who are either freshmen or sophomores.
But it is a challenge that McCarthy is embracing.
"We're really excited about the second year of our program going forward," McCarthy said. "We've got a long ways to go, but we feel like we're on the right track. We had a taste of success last year with some big wins. We feel like we did make some positive steps. Now, we'll try to grow on that."
McCarthy had been an assistant under Ricky Stokes and was moved up to interim coach shortly before last season started. McCarthy coached teams to 309 wins over 16 seasons earlier in his career at Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth.
Hinnant, a 6-4 senior, led the Pirates last season with 11 points a game and was also the leading 3-point shooter. He scored 20 or more points in seven games and had a career-high 30 when ECU stunned N.C. State for its first win ever against an ACC opponent.
James Legan, a 6-3 guard, is the only other senior on the roster. He averaged 7.3 points in a reserve role last season.
McCarthy will lean heavily on both players.
"The big thing is that they know how to do everything," McCarthy said. "Last year we literally had guys who hadn't been to a road game. They didn't know when we were dressing, how we were going to the game or what warm-ups consisted of, much less what they were going to face in a game.
"I think Legan and Hinnant do a good job of communicating. I'm really pleased with both of those guys. If we're going to be good this year, they don't necessarily have to have great years statistically, but they've got to have great years as leaders of this basketball team."
McCarthy is also counting on sophomores Brock Young, 5-11, and Jamar Abrams, 6-6, to be part of the rotation on the perimeter. Freshmen Chris Turner and Chris Kupets could also get playing time.
The front line is thin, with just three players taller than 6-6 on the roster. Chad Wynn, a 6-10 redshirt sophomore, is the tallest but is still raw. Daquan Joyner, a 6-7 sophomore, and freshman Darrious Morrow, 6-8, are the others.
"We are not deep inside," McCarthy said. "But I like the overall talent. Many successful teams around the country are using three- and four-guard offenses and making it work. We have more offensive weapons than any of our recent teams, but we have to rebound the ball and defend better. We've just got to grow up, and grow up quickly."
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