SMU Mustangs vs. East Carolina Pirates - News - February 04, 2023

	1	2	T
SMU	-	-	-
ECU	-	-	-

Kalib LaCount - DNP against MustangsLaCount (undisclosed) did not take the court in Saturday's 77-72 victory over SMU.

ImpactNo word of an injury has surfaced, but LaCount surprisingly didn't see the court at all after starting the previous five games for the Pirates. In his stead, Jaden Walker got the start at point guard, and while he was just 1-for-7 from the field, he did rack up eight assists in 39 minutes of action. It's unclear if LaCount will return to the fold prior to Saturday's matchup at Tulane.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Ezra Ausar - Records double-doubleAusar ended Saturday's 77-72 win over SMU with 19 points (7-12 FG, 5-8 FT), 13 rebounds and one block across 34 minutes.

ImpactThe Pirates continue to struggle across this season's American Athletic Conference schedule, so they may continue to push forward with Ausar as part of their starting lineup. If not, fantasy managers will have to be warier of his breakout performances. As a backup option, he logged at least 15 points and five rebounds only twice across 11 games. After both instances, Ausar was added to the Pirates' starting lineup their next game.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Jaden Walker - Eight assists, inefficient scoringWalker closed Saturday's 77-72 victory over SMU with two points (1-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals across 39 minutes.

ImpactWalker has logged more than five assists thrice across his last four games started. But for the most part, he struggled to shoot well. Across that four-start span, Walker averaged 4.8 points on a 23.1 field goal percentage.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Johnson scores 27, East Carolina beats SMU 77-72

Brandon Johnson scored 27 points as East Carolina beat SMU 77-72

FEBRUARY 4, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kalib LaCount - Heads to bench SaturdayLacount is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against SMU.

ImpactLacount had started each of the past five games but will begin Saturday's contest from the bench with the Pirates rolling out a taller starting lineup versus the Mustangs. The 5-8 freshman has seen an uptick in usage lately, averaging 6.2 points, 3.3 assists and three rebounds in 21.7 minutes per contest over his last six games.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Jaden Walker - Starting SaturdayWalker is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against SMU.

ImpactWalker will make his first start since Jan. 15, as the Pirates will roll out a bigger lineup than usual. The 6-5 junior is averaging 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and two assists in 25.6 minutes per game and could have an opportunity for some extended minutes Saturday.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Ludgy Debaut - Removed from starting lineupDebaut isn't in the starting five for Saturday's game versus SMU.

ImpactDebaut will be replaced by Ezra Ausar in the starting lineup Saturday. The senior big man will come off the bench for the first time since Jan. 15.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023•ROTOWIRE

SMU vs

East Carolina

SMU Mustangs vs. East Carolina Pirates - News: Feb 4, 2023

RECAP

BOX SCORE

PLAY-BY-PLAY

ODDS

NEWS

Johnson scores 27, East Carolina beats SMU 77-72