AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

East Carolina made a coaching change at the end of last season, firing Joe Dooley for the second time. As the Pirates embark on a new era, a place at the bottom of the AAC seems all but assured.

The Pirates weren’t all that bad last season, finishing with a .500 record. But outside of a one-point win against Memphis, the team boasted few quality wins. Perhaps things would’ve been different if Jayden Gardner didn’t leave for Virginia, but that’s what happened.

Michael Schwartz replaced Dooley. This is the first head coaching job for the former Tennessee assistant, so it’ll be interesting to see how much time it takes for him to get acclimated to the role.

The rebuild on the court will be led by a few intriguing developing players. Forward Brandon Johnson could be the team’s alpha. He showed potential as a freshman, averaging 4.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor. He’s in line for a big role.

RJ Felton and Jaden Walker will spearhead the attack from the guard position. Walker should bring particular excitement, as the Iowa State transfer is a former four-star recruit who struggled to carve out a role with the Cyclones. He should have little issue doing so at East Carolina.

Other contributors to keep an eye on includes Benjamin Bayela and Quentin Diboundje. Both of them should pick up some of the departing production load.

There could be a sunnier future ahead for the Pirates. All five players mentioned are only sophomores. If they can stick around and grow together, Schwartz may have something in a couple of years.

But this season should bring serious growing pains.