Preview: East Carolina at Wichita State

WICHITA, Kan. (Interstat) — Two American Athletic Conference teams on divergent paths will meet Wednesday night when the struggling East Carolina Pirates visit the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena.

East Carolina (5-13, 0-5 AAC) enters mired in a six-game losing streak, most recently falling 73-70 to Charlotte on Sunday. The Pirates have shown fight during the skid, with three losses by three points or fewer, but have repeatedly failed to close out games.

The Pirates will lean on guard Corey Caulker, who is coming off one of his best performances of the season with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes against Charlotte. His playmaking will be critical for an ECU team seeking its first conference win.

Wichita State (11-8, 3-3) aims to build momentum after a thrilling 86-85 overtime road victory at South Florida on Sunday. The win snapped a two-game slide and showcased the team’s resilience.

The Shockers are led by forward Karon Boyd, a consistent two-way force. Boyd logged 43 minutes against USF, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. He has scored in double figures in four of his last six outings and will be a primary focus for the ECU defense.

The matchup presents a stark contrast in conference fortune. The Pirates, still searching for their footing in AAC play, face a daunting task on the road. The Shockers, meanwhile, look to protect their home court and climb above .500 in the league standings. Wichita State has won two of its three conference home games this season.

East Carolina’s recent offensive struggles, aside from the overtime loss to UAB, have been a factor in its slump. Containing Boyd and the Shockers’ interior presence, which includes center Will Berg coming off a 15-rebound game, will be paramount for the Pirates.

Wednesday’s game tips off at 8 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN+.