East Carolina

The East Carolina Pirates men's basketball team represents East Carolina University in NCAA Division I college basketball and competes in the American Athletic Conference. The Pirates are coached by Joe Dooley.

Basketball became the first intercollegiate sport at East Carolina, beginning with the 1931-1932 season. The Pirates joined the NAIA North State Conference in 1947, winning the conference title in 1953-54 and appeared in the NAIA National Tournament two years in 1953 and '54, winning two district titles before losing in the first round of the national finals. Ten years later, ECU made the jump to Division I as a member of the Southern Conference and became a full-fledged member during the 1965-66 season.

Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena in Greenville, North Carolina, US. The arena opened in 1968. It is home to the East Carolina University Pirates men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. The facility underwent a complete renovation prior to the 1994-95 season and currently seats 8,000 people. The building was named for the Minges and Williams families in honor of their longstanding support of the University.