If East Carolina wanted to be tested early in Conference USA play, the Pirates are getting their wish.

ECU’s men’s basketball team began league play at Southern Miss on Wednesday, putting a serious scare into the red-hot Golden Eagles — who have won 10 consecutive games — before losing, 78-76. Now the Pirates (9-5, 0-1 C-USA) welcome an 11-3 Central Florida team to Minges Coliseum for today’s 5 o’clock tip-off.

The Knights, who opened C-USA play with a 60-53 home win over Tulane on Wednesday, are a veteran bunch with five seniors and four juniors on their roster. Two of those upperclassmen are the sons of arguably the greatest basketball player who ever lived.

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